Sharp Tor

About Sharp Tor

Rising sharply above the deep gorge of the River Dart, this iconic granite peak offers some of Dartmoor’s most dramatic views. Its jagged summit provides a stunning vantage point over the wooded 'Double Dart' valley, looking across to the neighboring heights of Mel Tor, Bench Tor, and Yar Tor.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is derived from the Old English 'scearp', meaning pointed. While most Dartmoor tors are rounded or sprawling, this hill's distinctive granite crest forms a sharp, tooth-like profile when viewed from the road near Dartmeet, making it one of the most recognizable landmarks on the moor.
• •Evidence of ancient occupation is scattered across the slopes, including several Bronze Age hut circles and the 'Money Pit'—a prehistoric kistvaen located to the north. Local legend once claimed this stone box held a hidden treasure, though any gold was likely removed by grave robbers centuries ago.
• •The summit offers an exceptional view of the 'Double Dart', the section of the river where the East and West Dart meet. From the top, you can trace the river's winding path through the steep, ancient woodland of the Dart Valley Nature Reserve toward the distant spire of Buckfast Abbey.
• •It is a key stop on the popular 'Three Tors' walk, a relatively gentle circuit that also takes in the nearby granite outcrops of Mel Tor and Yar Tor. This route provides a comprehensive overview of the central moorland without requiring the arduous bog-hopping found in the more remote northern wilderness.
• •It is perhaps the only place on the moor where you can experience a genuine sense of alpine exposure while remaining within a ten-minute dash of a parking lay-by. It is the ideal summit for the hillwalker who enjoys the illusion of being miles from civilization while still being within earshot of a car alarm.