Canonteign Falls

We had a trip over to Canonteign Falls today – I’ve never been before but have wanted to for ages to see how it compared to Lydford Gorge! Lydford Gorge has ‘the deepest gorge in the SW and a spectacular 30m waterfall’ whilst Canonteign has ‘England’s highest waterfall at 70m’. Both Lydford and Canonteign cost around the same amount to enter (£7.60 v £7.50) although NT members will gain free access to Lydford Gorge.

Here are a few pictures from our visit today. Full photo set is here.

Here is the lowest part of the Waterfall close to the visitor centre.

Further up with the main falls in the background

The main falls

At the top – looking down – the falls start via a man made leat

A reflected rhododendron in one of the lakes at the foot of the falls.

We really enjoyed our visit to Canonteign today – it was a good walk and we spend nearly three hours exploring. The waterfall is very impressive but you do need to be prepared to walk upwards! The comparison between Lydford Gorge and Canonteign Falls is a rather a good one – both involve a good up and down walk and via them you will see some spectacular Dartmoor river scenery.

The Shavercombe Valley

The Shavercombe is  tributary of the Plym and has its source around 1km from Hen Tor. SX5965

 Shavercombe Tor is not much more than a collection of rocks overlooking the Valley

The Valley is quite steep and deep about half way down

And contains this lovely little waterfall

Magical

A visit to Becky Falls

Went over to Becky Falls yesterday – had been meaning to visit for ages after the last time I tried to go it was closed due to stormy weather and high river levels. Here are a series of photographs. Full photo set here.

The main falls

Close up

The lower falls

Nice little waterfall on the purple trail

Boulder falls just up from the log bridge

Same spot taken several years ago during high water levels

For further details about visiting Becky Falls, opening hours and prices go to their website here. There are three routes: blue, red and purple. To see the falls you need to complete the red route which in places is a bit of a scramble – not difficult but not easy – like the river path at Lydford Gorge!

I particularly like the pixies close to the main entrance!

Horsham Steps Manaton

Went over to Horsham Steps which are on the Bovey near Manaton. In normal conditions you can walk across the stones and into Lustleigh Cleave – the river gurgles beneath the stones before emerging back into the river. Not so after a big storm.

Here are a few pictures of the Steps from yesterday.