Pinkery Pond Circular
Exmoor Walk
Nat Park - Exmoor
County/Area - Somerset & Devon
Author - Lou Johnson
Length - 5.8 miles / 9.4 km Ascent - 650 feet / 197 metres
Time - 3 hours 30 minutes Grade - easy/mod
Maps
Ordnance Survey Explorer OL9 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
Anquet OS Explorer OL9 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
Walk Route Description
Click image to see photo description.
This circular walk explores an area lying a few miles west of Simonsbath. The first part of the route includes the Bronze Age burial mound of Chains Barrow, and Pinkeys Pond a remote reservoir on land where substantial rainfall in August 1952 resulted in the loss of like and damage to property in Lynmouth. The final part of the walk passes Mole's Chamber the site of an inn that had a doubtful reputation. The Acland Arms closed in the 1880's a is now a remote pile of rubble.
The start is a layby (grid ref. SS729401) on the north side of the B3358 just over four kilometres west of Simonsbath. After parking take the signed bridleway on the north side of the road signed to the Chains. The path crosses two fields keeping to the right-hand Maintain direction across an area of rougher pasture following the blue waymarks to reach a gate at a path junction (grid ref. SS732418). Head through the gate and take the grassy path heading half-right to gain the summit of the Chains with its OS trig column. In fine weather the view is extensive and includes South Wales and Bideford Bay.
Retrace your steps back to the path junction and turn right (signed Pinkery Pond). Follow the path beside a fence to reach the reservoir. Cross the dam wall and continue through a gate to enter a field. Head for the right-hand corner at Woodbarrow Gate with Wood Barrow adjacent. Turn left and follow the path, part of the Tarka Trail, to the B3358. Cross the road with care to the gate opposite and join the bridleway signed to Mole's Chamber. The grassy track is waymarked and leads to a lane with a nearby memorial stone (grid ref. SS718394).
Just before the lane, turn sharp left and continue to Moles's Chamber. The bridleway soon crosses a stream and continues with the stream on your left. Continue along the clear path to the B3358. Turn left and using the grass verge where possible return to the parking area 300 metres ahead on the right-=hand side of the road.
Other walks nearby
Walk 3386 | Barle Valley & Cow Castle from Simonsbath | easy/mod | 6.4 miles |
Walk 3391 | Valley of Rocks frrom Lynton | easy/mod | 3.8 miles |
Walk 2451 | Withypool & Barle Valley | easy/mod | 6.0 miles |
Walk 1910 | Countisbury and Watersmeet from Lynmouth | easy/mod | 4.5 miles |
Walk 3729 | Foreland Point | moderate | 5.0 miles |
Walk 1263 | The Doone Valley | moderate | 8.5 miles |
Walk 3390 | Heddon Valley from Woody Bay | moderate | 5.3 miles |
Walk 1262 | Watersmeet & Foreland Point | mod/hard | 10.5 miles |
Walk 3394 | Holdstone Down & Trentishoe | moderate | 7.0 miles |
Walk 2154 | West Anstey Common from Molland | easy/mod | 6.4 miles |
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