Devon

Lorna Doone Farm circular walk to Foreland Point

This 10-mile trail from Lorna Doone Farm in Devon is one of two halves that starts gently along the East Lyn River with a break at Watersmeet, and continues with a challenging section that offers picturesque views at Foreland Point and County Gate.

Near to

Lorna Doone Valley

Start point

Lorna Doone Farm, grid ref: SS791478

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 10 (km: 16)

Duration3 hours 40 mins

Dog friendly***

*This route include steps, uphill footpaths and a footbridge. For further details, please see section marked Terrain.
**This route include steps, uphill footpaths and a footbridge. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Dogs on leads are welcome. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

Total stages: 9
Total stages: 9
Start point
Lorna Doone Farm, grid ref: SS791478
Stage 1
From the Lorna Doone Farm car park, turn left and cross over the stone bridge following the road to go past the entrance to Cloud Farm Campsite. Walk around 250m until you reach a footpath marked Public Bridleway County Gate. Follow to cross a footbridge and join Coleridge Way for Brendon.
Stage 2
Take the Coleridge Way that climbs away from the river with views along the valley to reach Brendon.
Stage 3
Arriving at a set of steps to the road, turn left to pass the bridge and continue on the Coleridge Way along the East Lyn River until you reach Watersmeet.
Stage 4
At Watersmeet continue past the tea-room and turn right to follow the footpath uphill towards Countisbury.
Stage 5
After following the footpath uphill you'll reach a main road. Cross over it and follow the road up to the church to join the South West Coast Path.
Stage 6
Turn left and continue towards Foreland Point, which is the northernmost tip of Devon. If the weather is good and you are confident of your abilities, the mapped route follows a tiny goat track around Foreland Point with a view of the lighthouse. However, the Coast Path continues along the right-hand fork, travelling downhill to Coddow Combe, and this is the route to use if the weather is poor or you have no head for heights. At the bridge, you still have the opportunity to turn down the road and see the lighthouse should you choose the second option.
Stage 7
From the lighthouse walk up the road to rejoin the signed South West Coast Path. Continue the South West Coast Path for around 2.5 miles (4km). Cross the drive to Glenthorne and drop down on the marked path until you reach the Sister's Fountain (spring).
Stage 8
Just after the spring, leave the South West Coast Path and turn right uphill to follow the woodland boundary to County Gate.
Stage 9
When you reach the road, turn right to get back to the car park.
End point
Lorna Doone Farm, grid ref: SS791478
Trail map
Lorna Doone circular walk to Foreland Point trail map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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Riverside pathway in the Lorna Doone Valley, Exmoor

Trail

Doone Valley circular walk and ride

A challenging walk through the picturesque Doone Valley to discover the remains of an abandoned medieval village. Experience the dramatic wide-open landscape of Exmoor as this trail loops around the moor. Keep an eye out for the Exmoor ponies who roam across the moor.