Top 10 Exmoor Walking Spots

Top 10 Exmoor Walking Spots

Here’s a bit to get you started on the best walking spots in Exmoor National Park. Exmoor is fantastic for walking, offering something for everyone. From hikers to amblers, families to fitness freaks, long distance trekkers, dog-walkers, strollers, marchers… This is the place for you!

Here are our Top 10 starting spots for walks across Exmoor. Simply drive to one of these locations and you will be presented with a variety of options for walks of various durations. Grab an OS map or follow the signs around the place to make a loop and get back to where you started.

 

Exmoor Top Walking Spots:

1. Gallox Bridge, Dunster (Somerset)

Head over Gallox Bridge, Dunster and you will soon find yourself at the foot of a wooded hill, with various options ahead. You’ll see a large trail map board to show you the walking options from here. Bear left for open grasses of Dunster Deer Park, or choose from a number of other pathways up Gallox Hill and into the Dunster Crown Estate. Try this Circular 2 Hour Walk | Dunster

Walking across Dunster Deer Park
Dunster Deer Park
Map to show walking spot near Gallox Bridge, Dunster
Leave the car at Park Street car park, Dunster, Somerset, TA24 6SP

Exmoor Top Walking Spots:

2. County Gate, Countisbury (Somerset/Devon border)

For open moorland walking with a sea view, head to County Gate. Between Porlock and Lynton, this area offers great views over the Bristol channel, with paths crisscrossing the heather. Dip down towards the coast for some steeper woodland paths or stay up high and enjoy the ocean breezes.

A view to the coast from County Gate
Walk from County Gate for open views across to the coast
Where to find County Gate, on the Devon Somerset border
Head to EX35 6NQ

Exmoor Top Walking Spots:

3. Tarr Steps, near Dulverton (Somerset)

For a walk with a bonus ancient history feature, why not head to Tarr Steps. This ‘clapper bridge’ is a very special ancient monument, photogenic at any time of year. The surrounding woodland of the River Beale is a designated nature reserve with abundant wildlife bustling about.

Walking from Tarr Steps
The ‘Tarr Steps’ clapper bridge.
Walking map to find Tarr Steps
There are two car parks, near TA22 9PY

Exmoor Top Walking Spots:

3. Horner Woods, near Porlock (Somerset)

Heading inland from Porlock brings you to the picturesque village of Horner. Park up here to explore Horner Woods; heath and mixed woodland extending from Horner Water to Crowter Hill. There are various options from here, including this 1 hour circular walk

Woodland walking near Horner, Somerset
Soft woodland light in Horner Woods
There is a National Trust car park at TA24 8HY

Dog Friendly Holiday Cottages on Exmoor


Exmoor Top Walking Spots:

4. Nutcombe Bottom, Dunster/Timberscombe (Somerset)

For forestry walks, Nutcombe Bottom is well worth a visit. Take the road from Dunster inland towards Wheddon Cross, taking the first lane to the left signed to Luxborough. You can park at Nutcombe Botton picnic spot and head into the woodlands.  Here there are a huge array of tracks through pine forests. Look out for the tallest tree in the British Isles from here.

Tall trees near Dunster
Walk between the tall trees of this majestic forest.

Exmoor Top Walking Spots:

5. Dunkery Hill, near Wheddon Cross (Somerset)

You will find classic Exmoor moorland walking, take a trip to Dunkery Hill. Climb up to Dunkery Beacon, marking the highest point on Exmoor (and the highest point in the South of England, outside of Dartmoor). Park at Dunkery Gate car park on the lane heading towards Porlock from Wheddon Cross. An easy climb of just over half a mile will take you straight to the beacon, or explore the moors in any direction. Here’s an 8 mile circular walk from Wheddon Cross to Dunkery Beacon and back.

A view across Exmoor at Dunkery
Dunkery Hill and Beacon
Map of Dunkery
Park at Dunkery Gate, TA24 7AT

 


Exmoor Top Walking Spots:

Where to Stay

Find holiday cottage self-catering accommodation across Exmoor

Holiday Cottages on Exmoor


Exmoor Top Walking Spots:

6. Watersmeet, Lynton & Lynmouth (Devon)

There are various options for walking around Watersmeet near Lynton. Watersmeet House, a former fishing lodge, is used as an information centre and tea room. Run by the National Trust, this is a great base from which to begin on either streamside, woodland or coastal footpath walks.

Short walks or longer hikes near Lynmouth and Lynton, Devon
The fast flowing river at Watersmeet
Map to find Watersmeet House
Watersmeet House EX35 6NT

Exmoor Top Walking Spots:

7. Valley of the Rocks, Lynton (Devon)

For a dramatic rocky landscape, head west along the coast from Porlock to the Valley of Rocks, near Lynton. Steep cliffs cradle a dry valley, their north side falling off into the sea of the Bristol channel. Scramble up towards the high spots, or follow the coastal walkway path. Don’t forget to look out for a few feral goats!

Coastal view of Valley of the Rocks
The grand cliffs of the Valley of the Rocks, Devon

8. Snowdrop Valley, Wheddon Cross (Somerset)

For those around between the end of January and early March, make sure you don’t miss Snowdrop Valley. Quite the spectacle, a wooded valley in central Exmoor near Wheddon Cross springs alive with a carpet of snowdrops.

Pretty snowdrops in Snowdrop Valley, Exmoor National Park. Photo by

9. Wimbleball Lake (Somerset)

East of Dulverton, Wimbleball Lake is surrounded by footpaths and tracks. You can walk the entire lake perimeter (9 miles) or explore the numerous other paths around the lake.

Walkers enjoying the scenic views of Wimbleball Lake, Somerset
Wimbleball Lake
Map of Wimbleball Lake, Somerset
TA22 9NU

10. Badgworthy Water, Malmsmead (Devon)

Many know the famous novel “Lorna Doone,” written by RD Blackmore. One of the most famous novelists of his generation, Blackmore set the scene in this beautiful valley near Malmsmead, inspiring many to visit this rural region of Exmoor in North Devon.

Views on the walks in Lorna Doone Valley, Malmsmead, North Devon
Moody skies set the tone in Lorna Doone valley
Where to find Lorna Doone Valley
There’s a village car park near EX35 6NU

Self Catering Accommodation for Exmoor Walking Holidays

There are so many walks over Exmoor that it’s worth staying for a few days to explore. In fact, most people who visit Exmoor end up returning for holidays here year after year. If you’re looking for some holiday inspiration, follow the link below for places to stay across Exmoor:


Other posts you may be interested in: