Barle Valley & Cow Castle from Simonsbath

Exmoor Walk

Maps

Ordnance Survey Explorer OL9	Sheet Map	1:25k	BUY
Anquet OS Explorer OL9	Digital Map	1:25k	BUY

Walk Route Description

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This walk from Simonsbath in the Exmoor National Park explores the upper Barle Valley passing through beautiful scenery. The route follows the Two Moors Way and passes the ruins of Wheal Eliza mine and the impressive Iron Age hillfort of Cow Castle as you make progress down the valley. At the halfway point, the walk turns north to gain higher ground, before heading parallel to the valley through fields allowing you to enjoy some fine moorland scenery.

The start is the Ashcombe car park in Simonsbath (grid ref. SS774394) which lies on the north side of the B3223. After parking, exit the car park, walk down, and turn left along the footpath opposite the inn which is signed to Picked Stones. After 100 metres bear left along the Two Moors Way signed to Cow Castle. The path soon passes Flexbarrow, a small hill on your right, to reach the mine ruins of Wheal Eliza.

The path continues beside the River Barle to pass Cow Castle on your right. If you have time this hillfort is worth exploring. Continue along the Two Moors Way through a gate and across a footbridge to join a track (grid ref. SS797370). Continue ahead along the signed bridleway. The track soon starts to climb to reach a junction (grid ref. SS806364). Turn left following the sign to Picked Stones. After 800 metres, at the next path junction, turn left and continue to a tarmac track where you turn left.

Continue on the bridleway running to the left of Pickedstones Farm. The onward route follows the hedge on your right with a grandstand view down to Cow Castle on your left. Continue following the clear path soon crossing a stream (White Water). Follow the rising track bearing left at a fingerpost to Simonsbath. Follow the path with trees and hedge on your right soon turning right signed to Simonsbath.

Just before reaching Winstitchen Farm, bear left following the bridleway signed to Simonsbath. The path is marked with blue way markers across several fields. Turn left into the wood, again signed to Simonsbath, back to the road where you turn right. The carpark entrance is a short way along the road on your left.

Walk GradingMore Exmoor Walks

Other walks nearby

Walk 1727	Shallowford, Hoar Oak Tree & The Chains	moderate	11.7 miles
Walk 2387	Pinkery Pond Circular	easy/mod	5.8 miles
Walk 2451	Withypool & Barle Valley	easy/mod	6.0 miles
Walk 1263	The Doone Valley	moderate	8.5 miles
Walk 1262	Watersmeet & Foreland Point	mod/hard	10.5 miles
Walk 3729	Foreland Point	moderate	5.0 miles
Walk 3391	Valley of Rocks frrom Lynton	easy/mod	3.8 miles
Walk 1910	Countisbury and Watersmeet from Lynmouth	easy/mod	4.5 miles
Walk 2154	West Anstey Common from Molland	easy/mod	6.4 miles
Walk 1860	The River Barle and Withypool from Tarr Steps	easy/mod	7.5 miles

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