Autumn Walking Festival brochure

call 01271 883131

For more information

NORTH DEVON & EXMOOR

WALKING

festival

From 1st to 4th October 2010

The UK’s most scenic Walking Festival Sponsored and supported by:

www.exmoorwalkingfestival.co.uk

Book online or by phone on 01271 863001

Friday, 1st October Food Festival walk;

Walk on bus route;

No dogs on this walk

1A: Exmoor Deer Search

1.30pm, 3 miles, 2 hours, Moderate pace, Moderate difficulty.

Join an Exmoor National Park Ranger for an afternoon deer search to try and locate the Red Deer of Exmoor. Binoculars, walking boots / clothing are essential. No dogs.

Start: Anstey Gate, free parking. Grid ref: 181/SS 835 297 Directions to all start points on web site.

£5 per person 1B: Clovelly’s Colourful Landscape

10.30am, 5.5 miles, 4.5 hours, Moderate pace, Moderate to strenuous difficulty.

Devon offers a glorious tapestry of colour throughout the seasons. From the dazzle of its coast and the inspiring cliffs and heaths, to its richly wooded valleys this beautiful county offers a feast for the eyes.

Start: Brownsham NT car park, donation box. Grid ref: 190/SS 285 259

£6 per person 1C: Cream of Croyde

10.30am, 6.8 miles, 5.5 hours, Gentle pace, Moderate difficulty.

This spectacular walk will take you out to the rocky Baggy Point, across a beautiful sandy beach along the coast path to round Saunton Down before climbing to the top of the down for panoramic views.

Start: Baggy Point car park, pay or free to NT members. Grid ref: 180/SS 432 397

£6 per person 1D: High Tops and Valley Bottoms

10.30am, 6.9 miles, 5 hours, Moderate pace, Moderate to strenuous difficulty.

This walk shows you some lovely woodland before climbing up to open moorland to the highest point on Exmoor. Wonderful views across Exmoor and to sea can be enjoyed before returning via Vale of Porlock.

Start: Webbers Post, free. Grid ref: 181/SS 902 438

£6 per person 1E: Tarka’s Home Patch - New Walk

10.30am, 7 miles, 5 hours, Moderate pace, Easy to moderate difficulty.

This walk takes in the Tarka Trail close to where Tarka was born. Beam Weir is a good spot for seeing heron fishing and otters playing. The walk then gains height to overlook the Torridge valley.

Start: Old Bowling Green car park, Torrington, free. Grid ref: 191/SS 485 194

£8 per person 1F: A Meander along the Barle

10.30am, 7.4 miles, 5 hours, Moderate pace, Moderate difficulty.

A Food Festival walk to give a taste of open moorland before dropping down into the River Barle valley.

It passes the ancient Tarr Steps clapper bridge where you will enjoy a two course local produce lunch.

Start: car park near Withypool Bridge, free. Grid ref: 181/SS 844 354

£16.00 per person, includes guided walk and lunch at Tarr Farm 1G: Old Tracks for Coach and Train

10.30am, 8.6 miles, 6.5 hours, Moderate pace, Moderate difficulty, one reasonable ascent.

This walk takes you up the old railway from Ilfracombe to Mortehoe, passing the Slade Reservoirs. It then goes to the coast at Lee village to follow the old coaching road across the Torrs back to Ilfracombe.

Start: Landmark Theatre car park, pay and display. Grid ref: 180/SS 518 478

£8 per person 1H: Steam Coast Trek

10.30am, 10.6 miles, 7 hours, Moderate pace, Easy to moderate difficulty, one reasonable ascent.

This walk starts at Home Farm where you can camp for the festival. The walk has superb variety from coastal walking and high over Withycombe Hill with excellent views and glimpses of the steam railway.

Start: Home Farm, Blue Anchor, free. Grid ref: 181/ST 028 433

£8 per person, any cream teas are extra For full details and to book online go to www.exmoorwalkingfestival.co.uk

Saturday, 2nd October Food Festival walk;

Book online or by phone on 01271 863001 Walk on bus route;

No dogs on this walk

2A: A Taste of High Exmoor - New Walk

10.30am, 4.3 miles, 3.5 hours, Moderate pace, Moderate difficulty, small section strenuous.

A Food Festival walk of mainly woodland and Cutcombe village before returning to enjoy the Exmoor House Tasting Platters with a choice to eat. Please tell Exmoor House of special diets on 01643 841432.

Start: Wheddon Cross car park, free. Grid ref: 181/SS 923 387

£15.50 per person to include the guided walk and lunch at Exmoor House 2B: Flora and Fauna Discovery

10.30am, 5.6 miles, 5 hours, Gentle pace, Moderate difficulty.

Enjoying the natural history of the moorland with the chairman of the Exmoor Natural History Society, looking out birds and red deer. See autumn colours, mosses and lichen showing the cleanliness of the air.

Start: Webbers Post, free. Grid ref: 181/SS 902 438

£6 per person 2C: Rushing Waters of Sea and River

10.45am, 5.9 miles, 4.5 hours, Moderate pace, Moderate to strenuous difficulty.

A great walk in a beautiful part of Exmoor showing the power of water at sea off Foreland Point and of the East Lyn. It continues up the river valley before regaining height to Countisbury.

Start: Countisbury car park, donation box. Grid ref: 180/SS 747 496

£6 per person, Lunch at Watersmeet extra 2D: Views around Dunster - New Walk

10.30am, 6.8 miles, 5.5 hours, Moderate pace, Moderate to strenuous difficulty.

This walk gives some superb views over the countryside and sea. It passes through woodlands, by streams and over high ridges. It also passes two ancient earthworks with good views over Dunster and the castle.

Start: Dunster Steep car park, pay and display. Grid ref: 181/OL9/SS 992 438

£6 per person 2E: Quantocks Ridge Walk - New Walk

10.00am, 7.6 miles, 5 hours, Moderate pace, Moderate difficulty.

An opportunity to walk the Quantock Ridge with AONB Rangers taking in a variety of habitats and looking at management issues. A minibus will collect you at the end of the walk and bring you back to your car.

Start: Lydeard Hill car park, free. Grid ref: 181/ST 181 337

£5.50 per person 2F: Little Dart River Meander

10.30am, 7.7 miles, 5.5 hours, Moderate pace, Moderate difficulty.

This walk takes in the hills and valley of this pretty river as it meanders its way to meet the larger River Taw further downstream.

Start: Chawleigh church, free. Grid ref: 180/SS 712 126

£8 per person 2G: Coastal Views and Wooded Combe - New Walk

10.30am, 8.2 miles, 5.5 hours, Moderate pace, Moderate difficulty.

A Food Festival walk that gently climbs out of the East Lyn valley, giving views over Doone Country. It then follows the coast with wide sea views before returning to Brendon for an award-winning cream tea.

Start: Brendon village hall car park, donation box. Grid ref: 180/SS 764 481

£10.00 per person, includes guided walk and cream tea at Brendon House 2H: Wildlife of the Estuary, Marsh and Dunes - New Walk

10.30am, 8.9 miles, 6.5 hours, Gentle pace, Easy, including walking on sand difficulty.

Join our local expert on wild flora and fauna for a fascinating walk around the heart of the biosphere reserve, giving you an insight into it. You will hopefully see some unique and rare plants.

Start: Velator layby, free. Grid ref: 180/SS 484 354

£8 per person For full details and to book online go to www.exmoorwalkingfestival.co.uk

Sunday, 3rd October Food Festival walk;

Book online or by phone on 01271 863001 Walk on bus route;

No dogs on this walk

3A: Red Deer Stroll - New Walk

08.00am, 1.5 miles, 1 hour, Gentle pace, Easy going.

Join a National Park Ranger on an early morning stroll around Webbers Post. Hopefully stags will be bellowing across the valley at each other - a thrilling experience.

Start: Webbers Post car park, free. Grid ref: 181/SS 902 438

£5 per person 3B: Views of Wimbleball Lake

10.30am, 4.5 miles, 4 hours, Moderate pace, Moderate difficulty.

An informative walk showing you the wildlife that lives in this man-made habitat and the projects taking place to enhance this beautiful area. It crosses Haddon Hill for views across the lake and countryside.

Start: main car park - tea shop, 2nd entrance on left, free. Grid ref: 181/SS 965 308

£6.00 per person, any cream teas are extra 3C: The Inns and Outs of Trentishoe

10.30am, 6.5 miles, 5 hours, Moderate pace, Moderate to strenuous difficulty, vertiginous for some.

This is a wonderfully varied walk, following the Blackmoor Water upstream to follow Ladies Mile.

The walk crosses Trentishoe Common before reaching the coast path along the high cliffs.

Start: Hunters Inn, on road and NT car park, donation box. Grid ref: 180/SS 655 481

£6.00 per person, any cream teas are extra 3D: Take the Slow Train ...and Walk

10.00am, 7.2 miles, 4.5 hours, Moderate pace, Easy to moderate difficulty.

Take the West Somerset Railway steam train to Washford with the guide and then walk back through delightful countryside. The train goes at 10.08 from Dunster - if you are late you miss the walk!

Start: Dunster Station car park, pay. Grid ref: 181/OL9/SS 995 447

£8.00 per person, not including train and car parking 3E: Tracks to Marsh and Quay - New Walk

10.30am, 7.9 miles, 5 hours, Moderate pace, Easy to moderate difficulty.

This walk takes in part of the Tarka Trail by the River Taw marshes, a perfect area for wading birds and wild flowers along the old railway. The walk then gently gains height to get good views over the estuary.

Start: Instow car park. free. Grid ref: 180/SS 474 312

£8 per person 3F: High Church, High Seas, High Teas

10.30am, 8.3 miles, 4.5 hours, Brisk pace, Moderate difficulty.

A unique chance to enjoy Hartland Abbey and its beautiful surroundings in the company of the present owners. The walk will finish with a tour of the Abbey (for those who would like) and a cream tea (opt).

Start: Hartland Abbey, free. Grid ref: 190/SS 245 248

£8.00 per person, any cream teas are extra 3G: Two Knights on Exmoor

10.30am, 8.6 miles, 6 hours, Moderate pace, Easy to moderate difficulty, wet underfoot.

An informative walk over the Chains, visiting Long Stone, Pinkery Pond, Chains Barrow and Long Chains Combe where it is not uncommon to see red deer, before returning by Exe Head and over Goat Hill.

Start: Lay-by car park near Goat Hill Bridge, one nearer to Challacombe, free. Grid ref: 180/SS 724 404

£8 per person 3H: Great Fields and Burrows

10.30am, 8.8 miles, 6 hours, Moderate pace, Easy going.

This walk takes you through the lanes of England’s largest village crossing the medieval strips of Braunton Great Field to Braunton Burrows, a UNESCO world biosphere, with its multitude of wild flowers.

Start: Braunton car park, pay and display. Grid ref: 180/SS 486 366

£8 per person For full details and to book online go to www.exmoorwalkingfestival.co.uk

Monday, 4th October Food Festival walk;

Book online or by phone on 01271 863001 Walk on bus route;

No dogs on this walk

4A: Exmoor’s High Coastal Cliffs

10.30am, 5.3 miles, 4.5 hours, Moderate pace, Moderate to strenuous difficulty.

Join this Food Festival with a lunch stop for a ploughmans with game pate or cheese at Hunter’s Inn. The walk which includes some of the best coastal scenery along the South West Coast Path.

Start: Woody Bay lower car park, free. Grid ref: 180/SS 675 486

£14.00 per person, includes guided walk and lunch at Hunters Inn 4B: Parracombe Panorama - New Walk

11.00am, 5.4 miles, Moderate pace. Moderate difficulty.

A Food Festival walk with an Exmoor National Park Ranger for a walk of fine views, taking in Parracombe village before climbing to open moorland and ancient barrows with views over to the coast.

Start: Fox and Goose pub car park, Parracombe, free. Grid ref: 180/OL9/SS 667 448

£11.00 per person, includes guided walk and cream tea at the Fox and Goose 4C: The Smugglers Coast - New Walk

10.45am, 5.5 miles, Gentle pace, Moderate to strenuous difficulty.

This superb walk takes you to Bennets Mouth passing the 15th Century Damage Barton then following the rugged coastline around Bull Point lighthouse and Rockham Bay and back to Mortehoe.

Start: Mortehoe car park, pay and display. Grid ref: 180/SS 458 453

£6 per person 4D: High Beacons and Cairns

10.30am, 6 miles, 4 hours, Moderate pace, Moderate difficulty.

Climb to the highest point on Exmoor, on the way passing through beautiful scenery with wide views across the Vale of Porlock. This walk also gives a good chance of seeing red deer.

Start: Webbers Post car park, free. Grid ref: 181/OL9/SS 902 438

£6 per person 4E: A Subtle Blend of Countryside and Coast

10.30am, 6.2 miles, 5 hours, Moderate pace, Moderate difficulty.

This walk shows our typical Devon countryside, wooded valleys and the stunted oaks along this rugged section of the coast path. The walk finishes in a small fishing village in a deep valley.

Start: Bucks Mill car park, free. Grid ref: 180/SS 357 233

£6 per person 4F: Beacons, Look-outs and Coastal Combes - New Walk

10.30am, 7.1 miles, 5 hours, Moderate pace, Moderate to strenuous difficulty.

A Food Festival walk passing over Selworthy Beacon with wonderful views. Part of the walk follows the South West Coast Path and visits Hindon Organic Farm for their superb Exmoor Brunch.

Start: Selworthy church car park, donation box. Grid ref: 181/SS 919 467 £15.50 per person, includes guided walk and lunch at Hindon Farm

4G: Lorna Doone Country

10.30am, 7.7 miles, 5.5 hours, Moderate pace, Moderate difficulty.

See the countryside that inspired RD Blackmore to write Lorna Doone. You will pass the ruins of a medieval village by Badgeworthy Water, pass the waterslide on Lankcombe brook and see Oare church.

Start: Malmsmead car park, donation box. Grid ref: 180/OL9/SS 792 478

£8 per person 4H: Around the Lake and Narrow Rail Track - New Walk

10.30am, 8 miles, 5 hours, Moderate pace, Moderate difficulty.

A pleasant country walk taking in the pictureque reservoir and woodland, visiting a small Devon village and passing along a section of the old Barnstaple to Lynton narrow-gauge railway track.

Start: Wistlandpound Reservoir, Discovery Centre Car Park, pay and display. Grid ref: 180/SS 645 423

£8 per person For full details and to book online go to www.exmoorwalkingfestival.co.uk

Festival Map

Book online or by phone on 01271 863001

The Google Map above shows the positions of the walks during the festival. This interactive map gives the details of each walk and you can use it to work out the directions to the walk. Click on the map to go to the festival web site map page.

Spring Walking Festival 2011 28th April to 6th May 2011 Put the Spring Festival dates in your diary to be sure of enjoying the fresh spring flowers and warmer weather.

Keep an eye on the walking festival web site in early January for the new festival details where you can book online or by phone.

New Walks and New Ideas!

For full details and to book online go to www.exmoorwalkingfestival.co.uk