Heddon Valley coast walk
This short but challenging walk takes you along some of the highest and most spectacular sea cliffs in England. A must-do for butterfly lovers and photographers, it's also a great dog walk.
Near to
Heddon ValleyStart point
National Trust gift shop, Heddon Valley, grid ref: SS655480Trail information
Towering cliffs, beautiful views and rare wildlife
The path climbs steeply upwards across scree slopes to Peter's Rock where there are far-reaching views across to Wales. Further along there are spectacular views along the coast to Great and Little Hangman and Lundy Island. Parts of this walk offer habitat to the rare High Brown fritillary butterfly, as well as to more common Dark Green and Silver-washed fritillaries. There are wildflowers in abundance in spring and in August the cliffs are blanketed in purple heather.
Total stages: 8
Total stages: 8
Start point
National Trust gift shop, Heddon Valley, grid ref: SS655480
Stage 1
With the shop on your right, walk down the road towards the Hunter's Inn. Keeping the inn to your right, follow the road over the River Heddon and carry on as it curves up to the left and then to the right over the stone bridge. Please be aware of the traffic on this section. Just after the bridge look to your right – Harry's Orchard was planted in memory of Harry Westcott, a former National Trust employee.
Stage 2
33yd (30m) past the stone bridge, turn right and go through the gate along the footpath signed Heddon's Mouth. Walk down the graded track until you reach a steep path up to the left. There is a bench at the junction and a fingerpost showing the South West Coast Path acorn symbol.
Stage 3
Turn left and follow the path as it climbs steeply up the valley side. Go through the gate and stay on the path. As you do so, look to your right at the beech trees that have grown up out of the traditional dry-stone wall. In late spring the slope to your left is carpeted in bluebells. You can also see stitchworts, wild violets and red campions. Keep eye out for deer too. Follow the path as it levels out as you walk towards the sea, across the scree slope to Peter's Rock.
Stage 4
From Peter Rock, follow the coast path round to the left with the cliffs falling away to the sea to your right – you are now walking along some of the highest sea cliffs in England. In August the cliffs along this stretch of the path are covered with purple heather. Go round the headland, where you will see the coastal panorama of Holdstone Down, Great and Little Hangman, the bay of Combe Martin and, on a very clear day, Lundy Island.
Stage 5
Stay on the coast path round the edge of the cliff until you come to a fingerpost signed South West Coast Path Combe Martin to your right, and left to Trentishoe Church. Turn left and follow the path up and over the field.
A dark green fritillary butterfly | © National Trust Images/Wilbert McIlmoyle Stage 6
Follow the path, keeping the dry-stone wall to your right as it goes along the edge of the valley, Trentishoe Combe. At one point you will be able to look to your left down onto the path you climbed up to Peter's Rock, and spectacular views down into Heddon Valley to the shop where you started this walk.
Stage 7
Follow the path as it makes its way downhill to a two-finger signpost on a tarmac lane next to the National Trust sign for Trentishoe Combe. Look at the meadow to your right here in the spring as it is, for a short while, completely filled with daisies. Turn left and follow the lane down through the woods.
A pair of male High Brown Fritillary butterflies in June at Heddon Valley | © National Trust Images/Matthew Oates Stage 8
When you reach the T-junction, turn left signed Hunter's Inn. Follow this road back to your starting point at the National Trust gift shop and ice cream parlour.
End point
National Trust gift shop, Heddon Valley, grid ref: SS655480
Trail map
Map route for Heddon Valley butterfly walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
More near here
Heddon's Mouth circular walk
Follow one of Devon's most beautiful walking routes through ancient woodland alongside the River Heddon to where it meets the sea.
Heddon Valley to Woody Bay walk
Take in spectacular views along the coast on this challenging walk along an historic 19th-century carriageway.
Gentle walk to Heddon's Mouth
Follow this easy National Trust trail alongside the banks of the River Heddon and explore the area where it meets the sea.
Heddon Valley's high brown fritillary walk
A wooded valley and cliff tops are the location for this butterfly-spotting trail.
Get in touch
Heddon Valley, Near Parracombe, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 4PY
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