Nether Stowey to Lynton

This three day trek wines it way across the Quantocks in West Somerset, before crossing Exmoor, to the South West Coast path for the final days walking.

This route starts loosely following on the Coleridge Way but leaves the thatched-roof villages and tranquil valleys to take in some of the higher and more rugged hills on offer. Starting in Nether Stowey, the route zigzags across the surprisingly wild Quantock Hills before meandering through the more rural Brendon Hills and finishes the second day with a section along the exposed heights of Exmoor. The third day follows the South-West Costal Path to Lynton - a surprisingly tough day.

Two club members (Little Dave & Coops) did this walk in August 2006, having a mixed bag of weather, and deciding to hitch-hike the last 3km to collect the car (the coastal path is killer!).

There is a route card outlining the route, for planning purposes (not navigation).

With views so expansive that on a good day you can see the mountains of Wales across the Bristol Channel, this is a route is a good'en.

Day 1
Leaving Nether Stowey via country lanes and fields, the route ascend through wooded hillside onto the Quantocks. The descent into a further wooded valley is followed by open hill top until the descent to Bicknoller continues with the rolling field theme to Roadwater and the camping barn.

Day 2
The previous day's rolling country theme is continued for the main part via a few small villages, before ascending higher onto Dunkery Beacon towards the end of the day. This is the highest point at 511 metres - meaning there is around 511 metres to descend still for reaching the campsite outside Porlock.

Day 3
Heading from Porlock to the South-West Coastal Path takes you to Porlock Weir where the up & down path which takes the rest of the day to complete, starts. This is a surprising hard section, with the maps not doing the contours justice. But you do get to pass the smallest church in the country! The final descent into Lynton to long and drawn out - with a great big steep hill up to Lynton to finish (or simply take the cliff-top railway!).

Food & Drink
Almost every village en-route has a pub, adding the final touches to a great summers walk - and some great food too. Village shops will provide most supplies need - with larger shops in Porlock.

N.B - it is only possible to complete this walk by consuming a decent amount of neat squash - stock up beforehand.

Accomodation
We stayed at the Woodadvent Farm, which has a brilliant camping barn for £6/pppn (note their website doesn't meantion it). And then the Pool Bridge Camp Site at the top of the Horner valley. There is also the YHA in Lynton.