Moorland Walking Activity Plan for Leaders

Walk Plan: Barn Hill – Feather Tor – Vixen Tor

The table below sets out and references:

  • 1. The Aims and Objectives of the activity
  • 2. The choice of route and how it links with the above, and the group
  • 3. Practices or activities that can be introduced to improve enjoyment or safety

1. Aim, Purpose and Objectives of the Activity (brief)

Aim and Purpose:

  • To open the minds of a young group (ages 6-11) to some of the geology, history, beauty, nature and skills that can be learnt from the moor.

Objectives:

  1. Climb a hill and a Tor (Discuss Difference)
  2. Follow different water courses (Discuss Differences)
  3. Observe the changing scenery, look for historic human activity that has changed the moor (Discuss the groups observations)
  4. Observe changing Flora and Fauna (Discuss why this may be)
  5. Observe basic map to ground relationship (Discuss any questions this may raise)

2. Route (Including how it relates to Aim, Activity and Group.)

Start at:

  • Cox Tor Car Park – at observation point

Walk ‘Milestones’ and how they relate to the ‘Aims’ and ‘Objectives’ above:

  1. Climb Barn Hill
  2. Follow Find ‘Bridge’ (near Cross) to get South of the man made river channel.
  3. Find granite ‘Cross’ on Leat, observe the weir at this point
  4. Follow Grimstone and Storridge Leat around Feather Tor and discuss the Flora and fauna that thrive in the wet conditions
  5. Climb Feather Tor and observe views and geology.
  6. Take lunch in a sheltered area of Feather Tor (Discuss wind protection)
  7. Pack away all litter and discuss why we do this
  8. Follow around Feather Tor to observe Vixen Tor (Discuss its beauty that some parts of the Moor are not accessible to the public)
  9. Find the Disused Tin Workings and follow stream to viaduct (Let the group explore in a controlled area and give a brief history of the area.)
  10. Return to Car Park using map and group discussion (consider the journey taken and where we should head)

3. What if, today… (Each activity has its unique moments, good and/or bad.)

What if Good:

  1. If the weather is fine there are plenty of reasons to take extra stops to explore parts of the journey of particular interest to the young group.
  2. There are always changing animals, insects and flora on the moors, expect the group to find something new to you. 

What if Bad:

  1. The weather may invoke a change in the planned walk. Keep the group close to the well-trodden paths and keep the group warm by keeping up an acceptable pace, explore shelter and how it can be found.
  2. There are plenty of chances that wet feet will be encountered, albeit not intentionally. Observe the implications and adapt.
  3. An accident/incident: Group is in a well-used part of the moor and close to emergency contact.