Ugborough Beacon

Perched on the southern fringe of Dartmoor, this prominent Tump serves as a dramatic gateway to the high moor. The climb is rewarded by a massive Bronze Age cairn and views that stretch from the granite heights of Three Barrows down to the glistening waters of Bigbury Bay.

• •The name Ugborough likely derives from the Old English 'Ugga’s beorg', meaning the hill or burial mound belonging to a man named Ugga.
• •Historically, the summit was a key link in the chain of fire beacons used to signal inland from the coast, as it offers a clear line of sight between the English Channel and the high moor.
• •The peak is home to several Bronze Age cairns, indicating the site has been a significant landmark for ritual and burial for over three thousand years.
• •Looking south on a clear day, the view extends past the rolling green hills of the South Hams to the distinctive white lighthouse at Start Point.
• •While the ascent is relatively short, the southern exposure means the hill catches the full force of Atlantic weather; it is a fine place to test if your waterproofs are as 'breathable' as the label claims.