Walking – Exmoor National Park
North Devon and West Somerset
On this page (click to see) – Long Distance Footpaths Walks and Strolls Walks (not easy walks) Useful Walking Websites Walking Events in the Exmoor and South Devon
I do not have the resources to list and detail the many walks available in the Exmoor North Devon and West Somerset area however I have set out a number of useful web links for walking routes, suggestions and information.
The area is well served by easy walks and challenging ones, please select a route according to your limitations and be properly equipped, the right clothes, food, water etc this can be the difference between a pleasant walk and a Mountain Rescue call out. Mobile phone coverage is patchy so don’t count on being able to call for help, prepare and have a wonderful, safe and memorable time in this lovely part of the world. (Health and Safety lecture over)
Long Distance Footpaths
Exe Valley Way – 45 miles across Devon between the Exe Estuary and the heights of Exmoor; the route is partly waymarked, except in the urban areas and on Exmoor. – download leaflet
Samaritans Way South West – 103 miles from Bristol to Lynton also see LDWA site
Tarka Trail – 180 miles in a figure-of-eight in the northern part of Devon based on Barnstaple; a stretch of the route makes use of the Tarka Line railway – section walk maps to download
Macmillan Way West (Castle Cary to Barnstaple) – 102 miles – West Somerset, the Quantock Hills, Exmoor, to Barnstaple
Celtic Way The Exmoor Option – 119 miles taking in West Somerset, Exmoor and Dartmoor.
Summits of Somerset and Avon – 129 miles from Chepstow, via Bristol, West Somerset, Quantock Hills and Exmoor to Minehead
The Coleridge Way – 36 miles through the Somerset countryside, Quantock Hills, the Brendon Hills and Exmoor.
The Two Moors Way – 163km (102 miles) – between Ivybridge on the edge of Datmoor to Lynmouth on the North Coast of Exmoor. download the pdf leaflet
The South West Coastla Path – 630 miles from Somerset’s Minehead on the edge of Exmoor around to the shores of Poole Harbour in Dorset
The West Somerset Coast Path – 25 miles Steart to Minehead
Walks and Strolls
Dunster Waymarked Walking Trails – a selection of walks see The Dunster Estate website
Erme Valley Trail – Just 3 miles long from Ivybridge to Ermington see Devon CC website
Erme-Plym Trail – 10 miles between Sequers Bridge (see the Erme Valley Trail) and Plymouth – see the Devon CC website
The Princetown audio walk – produced by the Exmoor National Park Authority – a 6 mile (10km) circular walk from the High Moorland Visitor Centre – see www.Exmoor-npa.gov.uk
Princetown to King’s Tor – 5 miles across Exmoor along the track of the disused Princetown to Yelverton railway – see www.weir-quay.com
Simonsbath -Cow Castle Circular – 4 miles – fairly easy going see www.westcountrywalks.com
Simonsbath to Prayway Head – 3.5 miles – woodland, farmland walk see www.holidayexmoor.co.uk
The Granite Way – is mainly traffic-free cycle/walkway between Okehampton and Lydford (11 miles) – ideal for families – includes the impresive 120 ft high Meldon Viaduct. – see www.meldonviaduct.co.uk and www.Exmoor.co.uk
Walks (not so easy walks)
Useful Walking Websites
A number of walks in and around the area are to be found on
www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk – set the map to the type of walk (may take a while to load)
There are a number od car free circular walks available at www.exploremoor.co.uk
www.holidayexmoor.co.uk – 20 Exmoor area walks with video
www.walkingindevon.co.uk – walks free to download and print
www.walkingbritain.co.uk – has a selection of walks with details
www.rambleon.org.uk – is a general walking info website
www.accessiblecountryside.org.uk – provides info on walks accessible to those with wheelchairs and buggies.
www.tourist.me.uk/devon/walk-cycle-devon – walking / cycling / cycle hire in Devon
for other walking festival in England and Wales see www.rambleon.org.uk/events/