Peppercombe Bothy to Bucks Hillfort Circular
This is a four mile circular route starting and finishing at Peppercombe Bothy.
Please note that there is no vehicle access to the valley, and so if you're arriving by car, you'll need to find somewhere to park in Horns Cross and walk down to the bothy to start the walk from step one, which will make the walk nearly a mile longer. Or you could park at Bucks Mill (where there is a car park) and start the route from step 5.
This route can be made a shorter circular of just over 2.5 miles, see steps below. The route incorporates the South West coast path, wooded valley, quiet lane and stunning views of Bideford Bay and out to Lundy.
Map
Start:
National Trust Peppercombe Valley; Grid ref: SS383239
1
From Peppercombe Bothy, continue down the track (initially heading for coast path), over the bridge and turn left following the coast path signed Bucks Mills.
If you're arriving at Peppercombe via a car please note that there is no vehicle access to the bothy and so you'll need to park in Horns Cross and walk down to the bothy (1 mile).
Peppercombe Valley
Continue down the valley for the coast path to Bucks Mills
2
Continue straight on following signs for Bucks Mills
South West coast path
Follow signs to Bucks Mills
3
Upon reaching the finger post either continue straight on towards Bucks Mills for the longer route or turn left signed Green Lane for the shorter route, crossing 3 stiles and turning immediately left after the last stile. Shorter route jump to step 7.
Worthygate Stiles
Turn left here for the shorter route
4
Longer route: pass through both wicket gates and turn left signed Green Lane.
Vast Views
Check out the views as you approach the gates
5
Continue through the next wicket gate and follow the green lane until the top.
Green Lane
Continue straight up Green Lane
6
Pass through the field gate
Views across Bideford Bay
Don't forget to check out the views on your left as you steadily climb up Green Lane.
7
Follow the track up to the quiet lane and follow it around to the left. Watch out for traffic.
End of Green Lane
Straight on for the route
8
Turn left after 'Northway Farm Cottages' down a dead end lane unsuitable for motors.
Dead end lane
Head down the lane to the public footpath
9
Turn right after approximately 100 yards, signed 'public footpath', in front of the house and follow the stone path down
Public footpath
Head down the public footpath for the route
10
Cross over the bridge and continue to follow the path down into the valley
Peppercombe Valley
Back onto National Trust land, heading back into the valley
11
Upon reaching the track at the bottom, turn left signed 'Peppercombe Beach/Coast Path'
Peppercombe Track
Follow the track, you're almost there.
12
Pass the house and continue on through the gate
Last gate
Pass through this last gate and you're on the home straight
13
Pass the National Trust holiday cottages, over the bridge and turn right heading back up to the bothy, situated on the left
You made it
That's it, you reached the end
End:
National Trust Peppercombe Valley; Grid ref: SS383239
