Long distance walking
If you really want to escape the routine of everyday life little will beat a multi day walk. A sense of challenge, the experience of a journey and some of the most varied and stunning scenery around are the perfect ingredients!
You can of course plan your own route through Exmoor but there are a number of way marked promoted routes the cross the area giving you an experience to last a lifetime.
South West Coast Path
It’s the country’s longest path and it starts by traversing the rugged coastline of Exmoor! The total length is 630 miles from Minhead to Poole Harbour via Lands End. Many people cite the first section across Exmoor as one of the highlights and this can usually be completed in 3 days from Minehead to Combe Martin.
The Coleridge Way
Walk in the footsteps of the Romantic Poets. At 51 miles this is a great introduction long distance walking and links the Quantock Hills with Exmoor National Park following the paths that the likes of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Wordsworth, Shelley and Byron followed while writing some of their most influential works.
The route starts at Nether Stowey where Coleridge once lived, passing through the Quantock and Brendon hills before traversing the high moorland of Exmoor. The route then drops down to picturesque Porlock before heading inland via the wild Doone Valley before finishing on the coast at the pretty harbour side of Lynmouth. There is an optional short extension to Poets Corner high above in the Valley of Rocks.
The Two Moors Way
Passing through not one but two National Parks, the 100 mile Two Moors Way links Dartmoor and Exmoor. Starting at Ivybridge on the southern edge of Dartmoor the trail finishes at Lynmouth on the north coast of Devon, passing through the peaceful and rural countryside of Mid Devon in between. Find out more on the Two Moors Way website.
The Tarka Trail
A figure of eight route – allowing you to tackle this 180 mile route in two stages from the same point! The waymarked trail follows the route taken by Tarka the Otter, written by Henry Williamson passing through numerous towns including Barnstaple, Bideford, Torrington, Okehampton, Lynmouth and Ilfracombe. Plan your walk here.
The Exe Valley Way
A long distance walking route exploring the beautiful Exe valley. Mostly besides the river, the 45mile/72km trail stretches from the South West Coast Path on the Exe Estuary to the village of Exford in the heart of Exmoor National Park. The trail, waymarked in both directions, can easily be divided up into a series to 10 stages. There is also a further 7.5mile/12km link from Exford to Exe Head, the source of the River Exe, which is high upon the open moorland. More details here.
Need Help in an Emergency
However prepared you are for your long distance walk, the unexpected can happen to the best of us. For information on what to do in an emergency go to http://www.exmoor-srt.org.uk/index.php/advice.
