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Exmoor National Park - White Post Loop

Devon, England

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Trail length

22.5 km

Time

~5 hrs 23 min

Elevation Gain

534 m

Hike Type

Loop

This 14 mile hike starts at White Post on Exmoor National Park and makes a great circular route.

The first couple of miles is on tarmac, but the lanes are really quiet and traffic minimal, if any at all. After leaving these lanes the rest of the hike is pretty much all off road.

Heading down to SherdonWater, this secluded valley or coombe is peaceful and isolated. The river water is clear and I witnessed a large Heron on the hunt.

The climb out of this valley is steep and leads you to the top of Horsen Hill at 1450 feet above see level. A great 360 view of exmoor spreading out in all directions can be seen from this summit with Exmoor’s highest point, Dunkery Beacon in the distance.

A slow descent down to the River Barle then begins, but while on these higher slopes of Exmoor I came across a huge herd of Red Deer… 100 plus!

Keep dropping down to the River Barle which you eventually cross via a small footbridge and head towards Withypool. The River Barle is another exceptionally clear river, Dippers and Kingfishers are not unusual. The valley the Barle runs through also attracts Ravens and Buzzards soaring overhead.

Prior to reaching Withypool I waded across the River Barle, but if you want to keep your feet dry picking up a road and crossing Landacre Bridge is perfectly doable. Landacre Bridge is an impressive late medieval bridge and has been scheduled as an ancient monument. It’s a great place to put your feet up for 15 minutes, have a brew and watch the river flow by.

Keep following the river and just before Withypool start the long steady climb up Withypool Hill as you head back to white Post. This climb takes you across open moorland before reaching a beautiful corridor of tress that dissects the moor. Exmoor tress are typically stunted in growth because of the harsh conditions they face, but are a sanctuary for birdlife.

This corridor takes you back to the start point of White Post.