Walking on Exmoor and the Quantock Hills

Walking on Exmoor and the Quantock Hills

Over a hundred main walks are described, most between 6 and 12 miles, spanning the coast from Croyde to Lilstock, the Exmoor National Park, the Quantock Hills, and some of the country in between and to the south. Many walks have shorter alternatives or they can be linked together to form dawn-to-dusk routes. Including the alternative and shorter walks there are over 250 routes to choose from, ranging from strolls around villages to hard hikes across open moorland.

Walks are graded from yellow (easiest, mainly the shorter alternative walks) through green and blue to black (most strenuous). If you are not an experienced hiker start with one or two of the yellow or green walks and see how you get on. There are no 'mountain' walks in the region, but several walks cross open moorland without clear paths and require some navigation skills. Many harder walks also have easier alternatives, and these are listed in the downloadable catalogue. A red exclamation mark indicates where a head for heights may be needed. None of these walks have extreme exposure and some have alternative routes that avoid narrow paths above drops, so don’t automatically rule them out if you suffer from vertigo or are not confident on narrow paths above heights. (A blue exclamation mark indicates a tidal stretch or a stream that can be difficult to cross after heavy rain, and an orange-brown 'tussock' symbol an area of open moorland that may be difficult to negotiate when the ground is waterlogged or after strong growth). Check the public right of way maps for Exmoor, Somerset or Devon (see 'useful links') for an update on any path closures or problems.

Please note that the times in the descriptions are continuous walking times. These are based on a speed of 3mph, with allowances for going uphill and difficult terrain. The walks also have an estimated total time, but how accurate this is depends on your walking speed and how much you pause or explore along the route.

► List and map of walks

Many of the routes are circular; where they are not, there are usually public transport connections between start and finish, at least on weekdays and often also Saturdays. A few linear walks don't have bus connections and you will need to organise your own transport; a few also link together to make longer circular walks. Either way, I suggest taking transport from the finish to the start at the beginning of the walk. That way around you avoid a race to catch the bus, or a long wait after arriving too early. Many of the walks can be reached by bus or train, particularly if you are based in one of the larger centres in the area; the details (but not timetables) are in the walk descriptions.

► Buses and trains

Do make sure you prepare properly for walks and are aware of dangers - these can include cars, cattle, snakes, ticks, the landscape itself, and the weather. Read the walk safety sheet and follow the country code.

► Walk safety, Country Code, disclaimer

The links under each of the nine walk sections (and on the interactive map below) take you to a PDF document containing the route description, including a map and details of any alternative or shorter walks.

► Map of the Exmoor and Quantocks region with links to walks

► Key to symbols on the maps in the walk descriptions

► Grid references and using a map and compass

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