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Walks - many visitors to Exmoor enjoy a walk and the network of
narrow roads, bridleways, (for use by riders as well as walkers),
and footpaths that cross the moor provide splendid opportunities
for all sorts of walks. These have been signposted by the Exmoor
National Park Authority where they join roads and many are
signposted and waymarked with coloured squares or arrows to
help visitors find their way and stop them straying on to private
land. There are few signs on open moorland where they would
spoil its wild character.
Walking boots
Fabulous scenic walks and trails all across Exmoor National Park, many over heather clad moorland, including the famous “Tarr Steps” beauty spot, with its old clapper bridge which is only 4 miles from Dulverton.
Trails - the ENPA and other organisations have set up trails with themes such as nature, local history and woodland management.
Some have their own special waymarks and signposts. Some of
the many booklets and leaflets describing walks on Exmoor are
on sale in the National Park Visitor Centres.
Guided walks - many people prefer to walk with a guided group so that they do
not have to worry about the route and can enjoy the company of
like-minded people and learn from a knowledgeable local guide
about the area they are visiting. Each year the ENPA joins with
other local organisations to provide a programme of guided
walks designed to introduce the visitor to the many areas and
aspects of Exmoor. The programme includes village trails, farm
visits and specialised walks for studying aspects of natural history
such as fungi, woodlands and wild flowers.
Whether you are an experienced walker or someone
who prefers a short stroll, Exmoor National Park is the ideal place to
explore the outdoors on foot. With over 680 miles of official Rights
of Way, footpaths and bridleways, across high wild moorland, steeply
wooded combes, ancient oak forests and gentle hill country, the variety
is infinite. Affording wonderful views, the South
West Coast Path runs along the the 54km of Exmoor’s coastline and, along with a Regional Trail the Two
Moors Way, is a popular way to experience the best of Exmoor.
Many visitors to Exmoor enjoy a walk and the network of
narrow roads, bridleways (for use by riders as well as walkers) and footpaths
that cross the moor provide splendid opportunities for all sorts of walks.
These have been signposted by the NPA where they join roads and many
are signposted and waymarked with coloured squares or arrows to help
visitors find their way around and stop them straying on to private land.
There are few signs on open moorland where they would spoil its wild
character.
Guided Walks
Many people prefer to walk with a guided group so that they do not have
to worry about the route, can enjoy the company of like-minded people
and learn from a knowledgeable local guide about the area they are
visiting. Each year the Exmoor
National Park joins with other local organisations to provide a
programme of guided walks designed to introduce the visitor to the
many areas and aspects of Exmoor. The programme includes village trails,
farm visits and specialised walks for studying aspects of natural history
such as fungi, woodlands and wild flowers.
Trails
The Exmoor National Park and
other organisations have set up trails with themes such as nature, local
history and woodland management. Some have their own special waymarks
and signposts. Some of the many booklets and leaflets describing walks
on Exmoor are on sale in the National
Park Visitor Centres.
The Chains is contained between Simonsbath, Challacombe and Lynton and is an area which contains some of the highest and loneliest
moorland on Exmoor. It has a large annual rainfall and ther are
numerous bogs. There are few paths, no roads and a complete absence
of distinguishing features. A popular walk is from the Simonsbath-Challacombe up to Pinkery Pond.
to see an interactive rights of way map see the section 'Rights of Way' on www.Somerset.gov.uk
What can you do to help conserve Exmoor s breeding birds?
Many factors play a part in influencing the success of breeding birds including land management, climate change and human disturbance. When disturbance forces a bird to leave its nest, the eggs or newly fledged young can chill and may die, or predators can move in and take eggs or nestlings.
During the bird breeding season, from 1st March to 15th July, you can minimise disturbance by:
Keeping to tracks and paths as much as possible, particularly in areas of dense heather and wetlands.
Keeping your dog on a lead especially as most lambing takes place at the same time that birds
are nesting. WMm
Avoiding young birds on die ground or distressed parent birds, by walking around the area and HI
moving away quickly, allowing die parents to return.
Spreading the word by telling odiers how they can help too.
National Parks, and large areas of moorland in particular, are often seen as the ideal location for events involving large groups of people. With the growth in popularity of outdoor activities there is a real need to protect the Exmoor moorland areas, not only for future generations but for its own intrinsic value. events which stray from defined paths (such as orienteering) can be damaging, particularly in the bird breeding season (1st March to 15th July).
If you are planning an event on moorland involving 35+ walkers or 20+ riders please:
avoid the bird breeding season (1st March to 15 th July)
contact the National Park Authority at least 4 months in advance.
Tarka Trail - The Tarka Trail is a 180 mile long figure of eight route based on Barnstaple in North Devon. Henry Williamson based his classic novel "Tarka the Otter"
on actual locations in North Devon.
The route enters in the west of the county and runs across Exmoor's heathery plateau, with its remote farms and tiny hamlets, wild ponies and deer.
It coincides for part of its length with the Two Moors Way and the Macmillan Way West.
Guidebooks are available from bookshops and Somerset and Devon Tourist Information Centre.
Two Moord Way - The Two Moors Way runs between Ivybridge in South Devon and Lynmouth on the North Devon Coast and is approximately 102 miles long and links Dartmoor and Exmoor.
From the south it enters Somerset at Anstey Common and winds through beautiful river scenery and lonely moorlands across Exmoor following the east bank of the River Barle through a beautiful wooded valley. After Withypool the Way keeps mainly to high ground dipping to cross and re-cross the Barle.
Before leaving Somerset, to make a spectacular descent into Lynmouth, the route coincides for some of its length with the Tarka Trail.
Publications detailing the "The Two Moors Way" are available from bookshops and Tourist Information Centre in Somerset and Devon. Or contact the Two Moor s Way Association. Coppins. The Poplars. Pinhoe, Exeter. EX4 9HH. www.devon.gov.uk/prow/twomoors
South West Coast Path The South West Coast Path, the longest of the National Trails, has an interesting history; it is based on a footpath established by the Coastguards who patrolled the length of the South West Peninsula, on foot, every day watching for smugglers. This sentry activity was continued until 1913. To enable them to do this in those days a series of coastguard cottages were erected at convenient intervals along the path, some of which are still standing today.
In Minehead the start of the path is identifiable by a sculpture which represents a pair of hands holding a map. From here, the Trail climbs up over North Hill and continues past Selworthy Beacon before dropping down into Porlock.
Passing through Porlock Weir the route proceeds into Culbone Woods and continues along the SomersetBristol Channel coast to the Devon boundary.
Guidebooks are available from bookshops and Somerset and Devon Tourist Information Centre. Information may also be obtained from The South West Coast Path Association, Windlestraw, Penquit, near Ivybridge, Devon PL21 OLU. www.swep.org.uk
Celtic Way - The Celtic Way is a 722 mile linear route through the ancient sites of Western Britain.
It is based on the marks left on the land by its earliest travellers and settlers: paths and tracks, homes and fortifications, barrows, sacred sites, stones and circles.
The route enters Somerset near Alfred's Tower in the east of the county and runs west to Glastonbury. At Glastonbury the route forks and the choice is yours: to go over theSomerset Levels' to the Quantocks and Exmoor, where the route links into the Two Moors Way, or to go south to the countryside that was once the Kingdom of Wessex into Dorset leaving the county near Corton Denham.
The book detailing the walk, "The Celtic Way" by Val Saunders Evans is published by Sigma Leisure and is available from bookshops.
The Mendip way is almost exactly 50 miles long and runs from Weston super Mare to Frome.
The western section runs from the Bristol Channel at Uphill and in places affords fine views over the Somerset Levels'. It crosses the Central Mendip plateau leading down to the spectacular Cheddar Gorge before eventually taking in the beautiful city of Wells. Between Wells and Frame the landscape changes with open hilltops replaced by deep secluded valleys.
A publication "Uphill to Frome : a guide to The Mendip Way" by David Wright is available from Tourist Information offices.
Liberty Trail - the 28 mile Liberty Trail from Ham Hill in South Somerset to the Dorset coast at Lyme Regis follows the route of some of the men, who walked to Lyme Regis in 1685 to join the Monmouth rebellion.
At Ham Hill there are links with other Trails including the Monarch's Way, the Leland Trail and the Parrett Trail.
The Liberty Trail Pack is available from South Somerset Tourist Information Centre
Monachs Way - this long distance footpath is 610 miles long and runs from Worcester to Shoreham in East Sussex. It closely follows the route taken by Charles II after his defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651.
The route enters Somerset near Chewton Mendip and crosses the Mendip Hills heading for Wells. It continues south to Yeovil and eventually leaves the county en route to Charmouth in Dorset. It re-enters the county at Crewkerne where it runs east, heading for its destination of Shoreham in East Sussex.
There are links to the Mendip Way in the north and to most of the trails in the south of the Gounty.
Book 2 The Monarchs Way by Trevor Anthill 3 available from bookshops. www.monarchsway.50megs.com
Macmillan Way The Macmillan Way is 290 miles long and runs from Boston on the Lincolnshire Coast to the Dorset Coast at Abbotsbury.
It enters Somerset in the north east and runs along the Frame Valley on through the woodlands of the Stourhead Estate. Continuing through Bruton, Castle Cary and North Cadbury. At Castle Cary the route splits. Here you can continue on the main route into Dorset or take the Macmillan Way West, its destination being Barnstaple in Devon. Details of the Macmillan Way and the Macmillan Way West are available from the Macmillan Way Association, St Mary's Barn, Pillerton Priors, Warwick. CV35 OPG. Telephone 01789 740852 or www.macmillanway.org
South Somerset Cycle Way This 100 mile cycle route around the South Somerset countryside which takes you on quiet lanes from the busy market town of Yeovil, on the Dorset border, eastwards to the undulating hills and vales around Wincanton, across the low lying Somerset Moors and then west towards Devon and Chard, returning through the warm hamstone villages of South Somerset.
A guide to the route is available from South Somerset Tourist Inforpiation Centres.
Leland Trail - John Leland worked for King Henry VIII as keeper of the royal libraries. In 1533 he was commissioned by the King to make a search after England's antiquities.
The Leland Trail is a 28 mile footpath which follows in the footsteps of John Leland as he traversed the traditional lowland landscapes of South Somerset sometime between 1535 and 1543.
At Ham Hill there are links to other Trails including the Monarch's Way, the Liberty Trail and the Parrett Trail.
A guide to the Trail is available from South Somerset Tourist Information Centre
River Parett Trail - The River Parrett Trail can be enjoyed as a 50 mile hike over 3 or 4 days or as a series of shorter walks exploring some of England's most beautiful, intriguing but also fragile countryside.
It offers comfortable walking across the wetlands of the Somerset Levels' and Moors. It is also a fascinating journey through orchards, woods, withy beds and the watery haunts of birds and fishermen; passing limestone cottages, Georgian terraces, elegant mediaeval churches and the elaborate pattern of rhymes and water courses of the low land.
The Trail links with The Monarchs Way, The Liberty Trail, The Macmillan Way West, The Celtic Way and The Leland Trail.
A guide entitled "The River Parrett Trail" may be obtained from Tourist Information Centre and the River Parrett Visitor Centre, www.riverparrett-trail.org.uk
Chanel to Chanel Walk - The Channel to Channel is a 50 mile route, devised by the Ramblers Association, which crosses the South West Peninsula between Lyme Bay in Dorset and Bridgwater Bay in Somerset.
It leaves the small resort of Seaton to folic lanes, woodland tracks and public rights across farmland. For much of its way alongside the River Yarty.
It passes through Somerset via the county town of Taunton, and continues to the old port of Watchet.
The booklet "Channel to Channel" is available from the Ramblers Association.
Quantock Greenway The Greenway allows you to discover intimate Quantock villages and farmed landscapes with confidence. It travels through different types of landscape and many different villages, j where there are fascinating historic buildings and sites of interest.
Both loops offer a challenging day walk or it can be tackled over a number of days ausing local ccommodation.
A copy of the Greenway brochure (whiqh includes five circular walks off the Greenway) may be obtained from the Quantock AONB Senjice or Taunton and Bridgwater Tourist Informaton Centres.
West Deane Way The West Deane Way is a circular 45 mile walk through the varied countryside of the Vale of Taunton Deane. Surprising vistas, spectacular views and picturesque villages hidden among gentle hills make it a pleasant introduction to the delights of this unspoilt area.
The route follows the River Tone passing through a variety of landscapes including the rivers flood plain and its wooded valley as it skirts the Brendon Hills. It then rises to the undulating slopes of the Quantock Hills area of outstanding natural beauty.
The walk is designed to take in the villages of this untouched area of Somerset which offers pubs, places to stay and local crafts.
A copy of the booklet "The West Deane Way" may be obtained from bookshops and Taunton and WellingtonTourist Information Centre.
Here are a selection of excellent walks:
1.Wooded coast: Take the Coast Path from Porlock Weir to County Gate, following in the footsteps of the poets Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Wordsworth and Southey along England's longest stretch of coastal woods. Visit England's smallest parish church at Culbone. Take the bus back.
Nearest National Park Centres - County Gate (01598 741321) and Porlock (01643 863150) Check bus timetables before setting out.
2. Four National Parks at once: Take the Coast Path from Combe Martin to Little Hangman and back - little hill but huge views to Dartmoor, Brecon Beacons and Pembrokeshire Coast.
National Park Centre - Combe Martin (01271 883319) circular routes are possible, ask at the Centre
3. Larking about: Stroll from Alderman's Barrow to Larkbarrow. Hear nothing but skylarks and see nothing but moorland grazed by wild ponies for miles and miles.
Nearest National Park Centre - County Gate (01598 741321) and Porlock (01643 863150) Off-road car parking at SS835 423. Take OS map
4. Valley of Rocks (SS 705 496). Take a walk through a streamless valley, a mile west of Lynton. Fascinating rock formations such as Chimney Rock, Castle Rock, Rugged Jack and Devil's Cheesewring.
5. wildlife bonanza: Take trails laid out by the Acland family in the 19th Century from Horner along the lower slopes of Dunkery Beacon and back through Horner Woods. All is a National Nature Reserve with a large percentage of Britain's bat and lichen species and a good chance of seeing wild red deer. Nearest Visitor Centre - Porlock (01643 863150)
7. Long but level: Do a tour of Wimbleball, one of the West Country's largest lakes. A ten mile walk around the edge takes in old oak woodland, farmland, a ruined church and heath with wild ponies. There is a different view at every turn, each with a backdrop of the lake.
Nearest National Park Centre - Dulverton 01398 323841
8. Babbling Barle: Follow the deeply wooded valley of the Barle upstream from Dulverton and back over Anstey Commons: a quiet corner of the National Park teeming with wildlife - ponies, deer and buzzards abound. Within the meanders of the river are prehistoric forts.
Nearest Centre - Dulverton(01398 323841)
9. Baywatch: Start at Selworthy Beacon for magnificent views over Porlock Bay and along the Exmoor coast. Courting couples often just sit and watch the ever-changing light and sunsets. See the vivid colours of the heather and gorse in August. Walk through woods of Mediterranean oaks, visit holy wells and the chocolate box village of Selworthy.
Nearest Visitor Centre - Porlock (01643 863150) Access to Selworthy Beacon by road only via Minehead. See bus time tables.
10. Snowdrop Valley: Walk from Wheddon Cross in February to see the beautiful wooded valley of the River Avill with banks lined with snowdrops in February and along the edge of Dunkery Hill. Part of the journey can be made by minibus during February.
Snowdrop Valley hotline Brian Moore (01398 322176) & Dulverton Centre (01398 323841).
Heddon's Gate Hotel , Lynton, Devon Charming country house hotel, stunning setting
Exmoor Leisure , Watchet, Somerset Camping Equipment, Trailers and Towbars
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