The Joy of walking in and around Exmoor
We are so lucky to be located within the beautiful Exmoor National Park, a magical landscape of moorland, stark peaks and wooded river valleys all bordered by a dramatic rocky coastline. Stretching for 267 sq miles across west Somerset and north Devon, Exmoor is a walker’s paradise with trails snaking through breathtaking countryside.
There is no better way to admire this unique corner of England than on foot and for those with dogs – we are always pleased to welcome our guests’ furry friends at the Porlock Weir Hotel.
Check out some of our favourite walks below
The perfect walk right on our doorstep
The stretch of coastline around Porlock Weir is a unique combination of jagged cliffs, shingle beach, and saltmarsh teeming with wildlife.
Set off eastwards, from our hotel in Porlock Weir, along the beach and up onto the gnarled cliffs at Hurlstone Point which offer views north across the Bristol Channel. A nine-mile loop takes you inland at Bossington Hill to the villages of Lynch then Allerford before turning back towards the coast and returning to Porlock. There you can rest your feet with a well-earned drink or a spot of lunch on our terrace or in our restaurant with a view.
PS. If you are a guest of our hotel, why not ask our receptionist for a take away picnic!
The highest point on Exmoor stands at 519 metres above sea level. Dunkery Hill is an exposed moorland peak offering awe-inspiring panoramic views north across the Bristol Channel and south into Devon.
For a classic moorland walk, park up at Dunkery Gate near Wheddon Cross and you can reach the beacon in a direct mile and a half walk. There are many winding routes across the moors in almost all directions, all offering amazing scenery and wildlife spotting opportunities, so you can make your route as long and challenging or short and sweet as you wish.
Approximately 20 mins drive from Porlock Weir.
The Valley of Rocks is the most spectacular geological sight in Exmoor. Situated just over the border in Devon, the dry valley hemmed in by steep rock cliffs which drop off abruptly into the sea at their northern end has a ‘Lost World’ quality if you visit on a quiet day.
The dramatic landscape was formed thousands of years ago by the River Lyn which then changed its course, leaving the valley high and dry. Its unusual rock formations have since inspired writers including Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth. There are great circular walks starting at car parks at either end of the valley and you can easily detour into Lynton if you feel peckish. Keep an eye out for the feral goats which call the Valley of Rocks home and leap deftly between its crags.
