LONG WALKS TO SNOWDROP VALLEY FROM WHEDDON CROSS
Both walks are long, including some steep climbs, muddy tracks and chances of seeing red deer. WALK 4 will take approximately 2 hours, while WALK 5 crosses some fords (no bridges) and reaches the moorland at Dunkery Gate. This can take up to 3 hours.
Walk 4- Via Luckwell Bridge, Long Lane and Blagdon Woods
Please note that after heavy rain the tracks on this walk could be very muddy and slippery.
From the car parks in the village the main road to Exford. Shortly after Webber's Garage, turn left at the bungalows into Bouverie Close and through to where the road leads to the cricket pavilion. Just before the pavilion turn right through the gate where there is a bridleway sign (marked blue) showing 'Luckwell Bridge 1.25 miles'. The bridleway is easy to follow to LuckwellBridge where you turn right over the old packhorse bridge. After you have turned right over the bridge, keep to the right hand fork and you come to the main road. Cross the road here and head for the track that is slightly off to the right. The track goes up past the Old Inn and up a steep rocky lane. As you start to climb, look to your right and you get a good view of Wheddon Cross. As the track starts to level out, take the footpath to the right by the electricity substation. Follow this through the field, past the farm and out onto the road. Turn left, and 10 yards ahead where the road turns to the left, on the corner there is a gate under the trees on the right and a bridleway sign. Go through the gate and head down the track into the woods. There is a gateway on your left-hand side about 100 yards after the start of the track. Pause to look at the view from here, if you are really lucky you may get to see red deer as they often graze in these fields. As you follow the track down you come to a crossing of tracks. Turn right here, and then left after a few metres very steeply downhill.Follow this track right down to the river at the bottom. Turn right keeping the river on your left and follow this track through a gate, across the stone bridge and the take the small uphill track which leads off to the right. This track leads to Drapers Way. Cross the road and turn left, following the path - Sir Robin's Path - at the edge of the wood which leads down to the left and takes you to SnowdropValley.
Please remember the Countryside Code if you are visiting Exmoor or any other part of the countryside.
Please keep to the defined tracks, and do not walk up the road through the valley (Drapers Way) as it is extremely narrow and the Park and Ride buses will be along at regular intervals.
LONG WALKS TO SNOWDROP VALLEY FROM WHEDDON CROSS
Walk 5 - Via Luckwell Bridge, Long Lane and Dunkery Gate
Please note that after heavy rain the tracks on this walk could be very muddy and slippery and the fords impassable.
From the car parks in the village turn towards Dunkery Beacon on the main road to Exford. Shortly after Webber's Garage, turn left at the bungalows into Bouverie Close and through to where the road leads to the cricket pavilion. Just before the pavilion turn right through the gate where there is a bridleway sign (marked blue) showing 'Luckwell Bridge 1.25 miles'. The bridleway is easy to follow to LuckwellBridge, where you turn right over the old packhorse bridge. After you have turned right over the bridge, keep to the right hand fork and you come to the main road. Cross the road here and head for the track that is slightly off to the right. The track goes up past the Old Inn and up a steep rocky lane. As you start to climb, look to your right and you get a good view of Wheddon Cross. Keep walking straight up the track until you come to a crossroads (Trottsway Cross). Go straight ahead along the track to the Dunkery road, where you turn left and walk to Dunkery Hill Gate (the cattle grid). Go through the gate and over the bridge and bear off to the right where you will see a track leading to a gate. Go through the gateway, following the bridleway, which is a clear defined track leading to the right down the hill towards some trees.
There are often sightings of red deer in this area. There is a ford at this point and after crossing it look down to your right and you will see a hunting gate set into the hedge below you. Go through the gate and turn left and follow the hedge until you pass another gate on your left and at this point start bearing off to your right and you will follow a steep downhill track. At the bottom of the hill there is a signpost - follow the right hand track for 'Drapers Way'.
Follow the track through the woods, crossing the ford, go through the 5 barred gate.You will come to another signpost. Here, follow the left hand sign marked 'Wheddon Cross' keeping the river on your left. You will eventually come to a gate, go through the gate and cross the stone bridge and follow the small uphill track which leads off to the right. This track leads to Drapers Way. Cross the road and turn left, following the path - Sir Robin's Path - at the edge of the wood which leads down to the left and takes you to SnowdropValley.
Please remember the Countryside Code if you are visiting Exmoor or any other part of the countryside.
Please keep to the defined tracks, and do not walk up the road through the valley (Drapers Way) as it is extremely narrow and the Park and Ride buses will be along at regular intervals.