An ancient High level Oak Woodland on the steep East bank of the River Erme.
By about 1500 BC most of the tree cover on Dartmoor had been cleared for the grazing of sheep and cattle.
Piles Copse is one of the three remaining small Oak Woods on Dartmoor.
Ground Flora is largely absent as the Copse has been Grazed
Piles Copse is one of the three ancient high altitude woodlands to be found on Dartmoor,
the other two being Wistman’s Wood and Black-a-Tor Copse .
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From the car parking area at Harford Moor Gate (see Butterdon Stone Row)
Head North to a Gate in a Farm wall .
If access is allowed follow the track used by the farm vehicles to the Copse.
Otherwise continue northwards to the next Gate , with an Infomation Board.
Follow a narrower path as it descends to the Copse.
Ref: 8155.7
Date: 10/08/2020
Location: SX 6429 6186