Walking Britain Exmoor Walk
Shallowford, Hoar Oak Tree & The Chains
Maps | |||
| Ordnance Survey Explorer OL9 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Explorer OL9 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
It is recommended you take a map. The preferred scale is 1:25k. | |||
Walk Route Description
Click thumbnails for larger images.
This Exmoor walk explores the wild upland moorland known as the Chains. The route uses sections of three long distance footpaths and offers ever changing views of the landscape. The area can be very wet underfoot and the route is not for inexperienced walkers. In periods when visibility is limited or there is snow on the ground route finding can be difficult so navigational skills are important. With this in mind, an outline route is provided rather than a detailed explanation.
The start is the lay-by (grid ref. SS729401) on the B3358 about three miles west of Simonsbath. Note that there are two lay-bys in this vicinity and the one recommended is the first encountered when arriving from Simonsbath. If you reach the lay-by close to Goats Hill Bridge then you have gone too far. After parking walk east along the road towards Simonsbath. Turn right onto the Macmillan Way West and follow the waymarked route to reach a road by Sloley Stone (grid ref. SS717393). Turn sharp right here onto the Tarka Trail.
Follow the Tarka Trail north over the B3358 to Woodbarrow Gate (grid ref. SS716424) where the Tarka Trail turns east. Leave the Tarka trail and continue north to Saddle Gate and cross Thornworthy Common to reach the road at Shallowford (grid ref. SS713449). Turn right here following the bridleway over the Ilkerton Ridge and down to join the lane at North Furzehill (grid ref. SS725541). Follow the lane north and just after the lane bends left, take the bridleway on the right just after some farm buildings along a track enclosed with hedges.
After 600 metres you reach a junction (grid ref. SS729456). Turn right and continue south over Furzehill Common to Hoaroak and Gammon's Corner. Continue down into the valley near the Hoar Oak Tree (grid ref. SS746430). Do not cross the stream, instead turn right onto the Tarka Trail (and Two Moors Way). The path stays on the western side of the stream in a steep sided valley. After crossing the stream (grid ref. SS746422), the route climbs steadily onto the moorland to reach a junction of paths (grid ref. SS715415).
Turn right (west) to continue along the Tarka Trail and Macmillan Way West. Follow the path for just over 2 kilometres to a path junction (grid ref. SS731418). Turn left here following the Macmillan Way West as it descends gently over the flank of Goat Hill and down to the B3358 and the start of the walk.
Other walks nearby
Walk 3386 Barle Valley & Cow Castle from Simonsbath - easy/mod - 6.4 miles/10.4 km
Walk 3391 Valley of Rocks from Lynton - easy/mod - 3.8 miles/6.2 km
Walk 1910 Countisbury and Watersmeet from Lynmouth - easy/mod - 4.5 miles/7.3 km
Walk 3729 Foreland Point from Barna Barrow (Countisbury) - moderate - 5.0 miles/8.1 km
Walk 1263 The Doone Valley from Malmsmead - moderate - 8.5 miles/13.8 km
Walk 3390 Heddon Valley from Woody Bay - moderate - 5.3 miles/8.6 km
Walk 1262 Watersmeet & Foreland Point - mod/hard - 10.5 miles/17.1 km
Walk 3394 Holdstone Down & Trentishoe - moderate - 7.0 miles/11.4 km
Walk 1860 The River Barle and Withypool from Tarr Steps - easy/mod - 7.5 miles/12.2 km
Walk 1669 Anstey Gate and Hawkridge from Tarr Steps - moderate - 8.2 miles/13.3 km
Recommended Books & eBooks
The Two Moors Way
Guidebook to walking Devon's Coast to Coast, a 117 mile route incorporating the Two Moors Way and a section of the Erme-Plym Trail. Beginning at Wembury Bay on the south coast and finishing at Lynmouth, the walk passes through the beautiful countryside of Dartmoor and Exmoor. A map booklet of the full route on OS 1:25K maps is included.
More information
Outdoor Photography
This practical handbook covers digital outdoor photography and the whole range of outdoor activities including walking, running, cycling, water sports (in and on the water), as participant or spectator. Covers basic concepts, equipment and processing and optimising your images back at base.
More information
