Skip to content
Cheddar Gorge, local landmark, Somerset
Explore a hidden limestone valley at Cheddar Gorge with this gentle and easy walk | © Jim Elliott
Somerset

Black Rock limekiln walk

This is a gentle and easy walk at Cheddar Gorge, through a hidden dry limestone valley, ending in a peaceful grassy area, ideal for a picnic.

Total steps: 9

Total steps: 9

Start point

The lay-by at Black Rock Gate, grid ref: ST482546

Step 1

Park in the lay-by at Black Rock Gate in Cheddar Gorge.

Step 2

Go through the gate and follow the track through the steep-sided woods. Pass through another gate. Notice how the trees and walls are luxuriant in mosses and ferns.

Step 3

Keep going along the track, coming out of the woods into a steep-sided, sunny limestone grassland valley.

Step 4

Walk past an oldlime kiln on your left, carrying along the track, with a dry-stone wall on your right.

Step 5

You can now see the quarry on your left, continue walking along the track.

Step 6

Head up left onto a flat grassy area, this is ideal for a picnic, or just to sit and enjoy the peace and quiet. House martins, swallows and swifts hawk for insects over this area.

Step 7

Walk across the grass, with the rock face on your right until you are near the top of the limekiln. From here, there's a steep unfenced drop.

Step 8

Pass this on your left and drop back down to the path.

Step 9

Follow this back, retracing your steps, to Black Rock Gate.

End point

The lay-by at Black Rock Gate, grid ref: ST482546

Trail map

Map route for Black Rock limekiln walk
Map route for Black Rock limekiln walk | © Hand Made Maps Ltd

You made it

Share your experience

More near here

The view from Gorge Walk at Cheddar Gorge
Trail
Trail

Cheddar Gorge trail 

Explore the famous cliffs of Cheddar Gorge, Somerset, on this exhilarating National Trust walking route.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 4 (km: 6.4)
View across the Bristol Channel to Wales
Trail
Trail

Sand Point circular coast walk 

Follow this circular coastal walk for wildlife, archaeological features and great views across the Bristol Channel to Wales.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3 (km: 4.8)
A view of Dunster Castle, Lover's Bridge, and Dunster Watermill from Bats Castle Walk
Trail
Trail

Bats Castle from Dunster Castle Walk 

This longer walk up to Bats Castle, a well-preserved Iron Age hillfort, offers memorable views over the Bristol Channel and across Exmoor as a reward.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 4.0 (km: 6.4)
People walking down stairs on a cliff from Brean Down, Somerset.
Trail
Trail

Brean Down coastal walk 

Go on a scenic coastal walk across Brean Down and discover one of the great landmarks of the Somerset coastline with history to discover and wildlife to spot along the way.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3 (km: 4.8)

Get in touch

The Cliffs, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3QE

Our partners

Cotswold Outdoor

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

Visit website 

You might also be interested in

View of the geological features in the limestone gorge at Cheddar Gorge, Somerset
Article
Article

Things to see and do at Cheddar Gorge 

Discover the heights of England’s largest gorge. Head out for a walk, take in the views and spot wildlife including Cheddar Gorge’s famous feral goats.

Sunny view of a carpet of bluebells on a clifftop with a tree and the sea in the distance

Walking in Somerset 

From the majestic crags of Cheddar Gorge and the sea views at Bossington to gentle strolls through Tudor parkland at Montacute House, these are some of the best walks in Somerset.

An aerial view of an adult and baby walking a dog along a path at Baggy Point, Devon
Article
Article

Staying safe at National Trust places 

The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.

A visitor carrying a backpack and walking along a footpath at Divis and the Black Mountain with stone walls either side, the countryside visible in the background.
Article
Article

Follow the Countryside Code 

Help to look after National Trust places by observing a few simple guidelines during your visit and following the Countryside Code.

Walkers climbing rocks against a bright blue sky with the mountains in the distance at Sugarloaf, Monmouthshire

Walking 

Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.

Dog relaxing in fallen leaves at Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire
Article
Article

Visiting Cheddar Gorge with your dog 

Cheddar Gorge is a one pawprint rated place. Find out more about exploring the Gorge Walk and enjoying memorable views of this unique landscape with your dog.

Visitors exploring the rocks in the Owler Tor area of Longshaw, Burbage and the Eastern Moors, Derbyshire

Outdoor activities 

Searching for a new outdoor activity to try? Discover the best places in our care for outdoor activities, including off-road cycle tracks, walking trails and lakes and coastlines for water sports.

A group of people in a hiking group are being guided on a hike by rangers at Marsden Moor, West Yorkshire
Article
Article

Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner 

Find out more about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor as our exclusive walking partner.