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Discover 15 of the best short walks on Exmoor. Each walk comes with easy-to-read Ordnance Survey maps, clear route description and lots of images, plus information on local beauty spots and tasty refreshment stops. No challenging terrain or complicated navigation means walks can be enjoyed by everyone.
Free Royal Mail 48 postage on UK orders. European postage is £3.50 per item. Worldwide postage is £5.50 per item. If you're not happy with your purchase for any reason, we'll give you a full refund.
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Would you like to explore the best of Exmoor? This guidebook covers 15 of the area's best short walks (between 4.5 and 11km, all under three hours) including Dunkery Beacon, Valley of Rocks, Allerford, Selworthy, Tarr Steps, Great Hangman, Dunster and Malmsmead.
Why choose this guidebook?
Cicerone’s Short Walks guidebooks contain everything you need to get outdoors and discover the best of an area. The routes are perfect if you’re new to walking or looking for something you can enjoy with the whole family. Let the adventures begin!
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
June 2025
The footbridge across the River Barle between Point 2 and Point 3 has been closed for safety reasons; currently, Exmoor National Park has not provided a timescale for the re-opening of the bridge (for information/map visit: www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/150194/Hinds-Pitt-Bridge-closed.pdf).
Therefore, there are two options to modify this walk depending on the length of walk you want to undertake:
Option 1 (shorter linear walk): Follow the route description as far as Point 2 and then retrace your route back to the start.
Option 2 (longer circular walk): Follow the route description down towards Tarr Steps. Do not cross the clapper bridge, but instead, after passing Tarr Farm Inn, turn right and follow a path upstream with the River Barle on your left. Later cross a footbridge over a side stream to arrive at a junction (Point 3). Turn right up Watery Lane and continue with the main route description.
May 2025
There is a tea room at Allerford – Allerford Village Shop and Tea Room – very near the Start of the walk, along with a tea room– Periwinkle Tea Room – at Selworthy (near Point 2)
Updated route text:
Point 1 - Stand facing the Allerford Museum with the Allerford Village Shop and Tea Room off to the left and turn right along the road. At the corner, turn left across the scenic footbridge over the River Aller and head up the lane.
Steve Davison is a writer and photographer who has written a number of books, including several guidebooks published by Cicerone. He has also written articles for a range of outdoor magazines and other publications. A keen hill walker for most of his life, with interests in nature, geology and the countryside, Steve is a qualified Mountain Leader and has also previously worked as a part-time outdoor education instructor. He is a member of the Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild. Find out more about him at www.stevedavison.co.uk.
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