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North Devon & Exmoor Walking Festival
| Author: Jennette Baxter | Published: 21st April 2012 08:26 |
27 April - 6 May 2012 :
The twelfth North Devon and Exmoor walking festival strides out from Combe Martin on the first of more than 30 guided walks; all designed to showcase the very best walking available in this beautiful area.
This year the festival has been organised into four different locations, with 2 - 3 days of walks in and around Ilfracombe, Lynton and Lynmouth, Porlock and Dunster. Highlighting the huge diversity of countryside in this corner of the southwest, it also allows visitors to select accommodation closest to the walks, and to move with the festival.
Beginning in the Ilfracombe area walks include the coastal hills of Great and Little Hangman and the rocky, smugglers coast of Mortehoe as well as the fascinating Braunton Burrows biosphere. Moving along the coast to the pretty towns of Lynton and Lynmouth the walks feature Watersmeet, Woody Bay, the breathtaking Valley of the Rocks and the atmospheric Lorna Doone country. Hopping across the border into Somerset, the charming village of Porlock plays host to three days of fascinating outings including a walk up Dunkery Beacon; Exmoor's highest point. The festival finishes in the medieval town of Dunster, covering the eastern side of Exmoor and the gentle foothills of the Quantocks.
The festival also covers much of the Exmoor National Park with Park, Crown Estate and National Trust Rangers guiding several of the walks. The walks range from a short half-day up to a full day's hike, so there is something for most abilities. Several walks include food along the way, lunch at a delightful pub or a cream tea at a farm or guest house.
Prices range from £6 up to £13 for breakfast and a walk. Most of the outings are family friendly and well behaved dogs are welcome on many of the walks.
New Walks for 2012
- The Bat Discovery walk (5 May 7pm) at Wimbleball Lake is bound to be a winner. This includes a BBQ supper and talk with a South West Lakes Conservation Officer before going with torches alongside the lake to see the bats.
- A steam train ride from Dunster to Washford (5 May 10am) on the West Somerset Railway means that walkers can enjoy a fascinating linear 7.5 mile walk back.
- The breakfast walk (6 May 10am) led by the Crown Estate Ranger starts with a large, traditional farmhouse breakfast which can then be walked off on a 7.5 mile walk through the Crown Estate.
- For the more intrepid there is an 11 mile hike taking in the River Barle valley and the start of the River Exe (29 Apr 1030am).
- Discover the advantages of Pacer Poles, specially designed from first principles to apply biomechanics to whole body movement. These poles are different from the usual walking poles and are worth investigating (29 Apr 1030 am).
Outings for non-walkers
Organised by the Exmoor Society and led by the National Trust Ranger, this outing starts at Hunters Inn and goes alongside the Heddon River to Heddons Mouth using their Tramper all-terrain single-seater vehicles. This is a free outing (3 May 10.30am) but needs to be booked early to ensure availability.
Those who want to give their legs a rest may like to try horse riding over Exmoor. There is a 1 hour ride on offer from Outovercott Stables near Lynton (29 April 11.00am). Riders will get a 20% discount if they have a copy of the festival brochure.
How to Book
To find out more and to book visit www.exmoorwalkingfestival.co.uk . A festival brochure is available by emailing bryan@activeexmoor.co.uk or call 01271 883131.
Festival Holidays walking the Exmoor section of the South West Coast Path from Minehead to Combe Martin can be booked direct with the Yarn Market Hotel, Dunster by calling 01643 821425.
The North Devon and Exmoor Walking Festival is supported by the South West Coast Path National Trail, Farm and Cottage Holidays, Exmoor National Park Partnership Fund and The Heart of Exmoor Project. It is organised by West Country Walks with help from the Exmoor Tourist Association.
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