Easdon Tor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Easdon Tor |
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 Easdon Tor
Location in Dartmoor
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 439 m (1,440 ft) |
| Prominence | 123 m |
| Listing | HuMP |
| Geography | |
| Location | Dartmoor, England |
| Parent range | Dartmoor |
| OS grid | SX729823 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 202 |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | From Barracott |
Easdon Tor is a cool granite rock formation called a tor. You can find it on Dartmoor in southwest England. It stands tall at 439 metres (about 1,440 feet) above the sea. The very top has a special marker called a triangulation pillar.
Easdon Tor is in a popular area for visitors. It looks out over other famous tors like Houndtor and Haytor. Even though it's nearby, Easdon Tor is usually much quieter. To the west, you can see the Hameldown Beacon ridge. To the northwest is Cosdon Beacon. It's a great spot for exploring!
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Discover Easdon Tor
Easdon Tor is a natural wonder on Dartmoor. It's a perfect place for an adventure. You can enjoy amazing views from its top. It's also a good spot to learn about geology and history.
What is a Tor?
A tor is a large, rocky hill or pile of rocks. They are often found on hilltops. Tors are created by nature over millions of years. Wind and rain slowly wear away the softer rock. This leaves behind the harder rock, forming these cool shapes. On Dartmoor, most tors are made of granite.
Exploring Easdon Tor
Easdon Tor is a great place for hiking. The path to the top is not too difficult. You can enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery. It's a quieter spot compared to some other tors. This makes it perfect for a peaceful walk.
Getting to the Top
The easiest way to reach Easdon Tor is from a place called Barracott. The walk takes you through lovely Dartmoor countryside. Make sure to wear good walking shoes. Always check the weather before you go.
Views from the Top
When you reach the top of Easdon Tor, you'll see incredible views. You can look out across the vast Dartmoor landscape. You'll spot other famous tors in the distance. It's a fantastic place to take photos. The views stretch for miles on a clear day.
What You Can See
From Easdon Tor, you can see Houndtor and Haytor. These are two very well-known tors on Dartmoor. You can also see the Hameldown Beacon ridge. Further away, you might spot Cosdon Beacon. It's like a giant map spread out before you.
The Geology of Easdon Tor
Easdon Tor is made of granite. Granite is a very hard rock. It forms deep underground from molten rock (magma). Over time, the land above it wears away. This brings the granite closer to the surface. Then, weathering shapes it into tors.
How Tors Are Formed
The process of tor formation is slow. Water seeps into cracks in the granite. When it freezes, it expands, making the cracks bigger. This breaks the rock into blocks. Wind and rain then smooth and shape these blocks. This creates the unique look of a tor.
What is a Trig Point?
At the highest point of Easdon Tor, you'll find a triangulation pillar. This is a special concrete pillar. It was used by surveyors many years ago. They used these pillars to create accurate maps of the country.
How Trig Points Work
Surveyors would use special equipment on top of these pillars. They would measure angles between different trig points. By doing this, they could figure out exact distances and heights. This helped them make very precise maps. Many trig points are now popular spots for hikers.
