Experience the diverse and unspoilt landscapes of Exmoor, where open heather moorland, rugged coastal cliffs, ancient woodland and characterful villages combine to create a truly memorable walking destination. 

This collection of 15 short walks in Exmoor National Park has been carefully designed to be completed in under three hours, with circular routes ideal for families, weekend explorers, and anyone wanting to enjoy spectacular scenery without tackling a longer hike.

• Routes range from 4.5 to 11km (3 to 7 miles) and feature clear step-by-step directions alongside Ordnance Survey maps and GPX files, helping you navigate Exmoor’s moorland paths, coastal trails, wooded valleys and quiet country tracks with ease
• Explore some of Exmoor’s most iconic landscapes, including panoramic views from Dunkery Beacon, the dramatic rock formations of the Valley of Rocks, the historic riverside setting of Tarr Steps and the South West Coast Path
• Each walk includes helpful practical information such as parking details, terrain descriptions, public transport options and suggestions for nearby cafés or pubs in towns and villages like Combe Martin, Lynton and Simonsbath, making it easy to organise relaxed half-day adventures
• Along the way, uncover Exmoor’s rich heritage and wildlife, from picturesque villages and centuries-old bridges to ancient woodland habitats where red deer and Exmoor ponies are often seen
• Several routes offer optional variations to shorten or extend the distance, allowing you to tailor each walk to your time available, weather conditions or preferred level of challenge

From sweeping coastal viewpoints and high moorland ridges to peaceful riverside paths and charming rural villages, Exmoor offers remarkable variety within a compact landscape. With this easy-to-use Cicerone Short Walks guidebook, you can explore the national park with confidence, discovering its scenery, history and wildlife through a series of rewarding short walks.

15 Short Walks on Exmoor - Quick Facts

Guidebook name: 15 Short Walks on Exmoor
Location: Exmoor National Park
Number of walks: 15 circular short walks
Distance: 4.5–11 km (3–7 miles) per walk
Typical duration: 1–3 hours per walk
Terrain: Heather moorland, coastal paths, wooded valleys, riverside trails, historic bridges and quiet country lanes
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, suitable for beginners, families and casual walkers
Highlights: Dunkery Beacon, Valley of Rocks, Tarr Steps, scenic Exmoor coast and traditional villages
Navigation: Step-by-step route descriptions with 1:25,000 Ordnance Survey mapping; downloadable GPX files available
Facilities: Parking, cafés, pubs and public transport information included for key towns and villages such as Lynton, Combe Martin and Simonsbath
Best season: Year-round walking; spring to early autumn usually offers the best weather and wildlife viewing on Exmoor

Author Highlight

“As well as offering some lovely walking opportunities – from the windswept expanse of Dunkery Beacon (Exmoor’s highest hill at 519m) to the fascinating rock structures of the Valley of Rocks – Exmoor is a great place to gaze at the heavens, a fact confirmed when the national park was designated as Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve in 2011.”

- Steve Davison, author of 15 Short Walks on Exmoor 

Using this guide

Route summary table

Map key

Introduction

Walking on Exmoor

Where to stay

Travel

The walks

Walk 1 Combe Martin and Great Hangman

Walk 2 Hunter’s Inn and Martinhoe

Walk 3 Lynton and the Valley of Rocks

Walk 4 Lynmouth and Watersmeet

Walk 5 The Foreland

Walk 6 Simonsbath and the Barle Valley

Walk 7 Lorna Doone Country

Walk 8 Porlock Weir and Culbone church

Walk 9 Tarr Steps and the River Barle

Walk 10 Dunkery Beacon

Walk 11 Allerford and Selworthy

Walk 12 Dulverton and Marsh Bridge

Walk 13 Haddon Hill and Wimbleball Lake

Walk 14 Luxborough and Withycombe Common

Walk 15 Dunster and Bat’s Castle

Useful information

Seasons

Can be undertaken year-round, however, the seasons bring with them different expectations. From October to the end of March is generally the wettest period, with occasionally snow and frost, especially high up. April through to the end of September is typically the driest and warmest period, however, the weather can be unpredictable, so always be prepared.

Centres

Within the National Park: Combe Martin, Dunster, Dulverton, Lynton & Lynmouth, Porlock and Simonsbath; outside the National Park there is Barnstaple, Ilfracombe, Minehead, Tiverton, and Watchet.

Difficulty

The walks have been chosen so that they are relatively easy to undertake and follow tracks and paths that are reasonably well signposted and cared for. However, paths can become muddy/slippery after wet weather, the walks are hilly – especially the coastal walks – and involve a reasonable amount of ascent and descent; some of the coastal paths are narrow – so care is required.

Must See

Dunkery Beacon – Exmoor’s highest hill at 519m; the fascinating rock structures of the Valley of Rocks; Lynton & Lynmouth cliff railway; Culbone Church – possibly the smallest complete parish church in England; Tarr Steps – a rather well-know ancient clapper bridge; picturesque Allerford and Selworthy; Great Hangman – highest point on the South West Coast Path; Dulverton – a historic market town; Dunster and its castle; Badgworthy Water and Malmsmead – made famous through the fictional Lorna Doone.

June 2025

Walk 9 – Tarr Steps and the River Barle

May 2025

Walk 11 - Allerford and Selworthy

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