Heddon Valley, Exmoor, Devon

Running along the western edge of Exmoor, the River Heddon meets the sea at the dramatic Heddon’s Mouth, but not before it’s wound its way through this delightful valley, bubbling around bridges, stepping stones and wooded banks carpeted with bluebells. After exploring the delightful Hunter’s Inn, this walk
takes you out on to the heather-covered Holdstone Hill and picks up the South West Coast Path, returning along the breathtaking Exmoor coastline.

1.
Facing the Hunter’s Inn, turn left down the lane, bearing left with the lane then right over a stone bridge. Carry straight on then bear left at a Y-junction, and after 20m turn left to pick up a path into Parsonage Wood.
Walk alongside the stream through delightful woodland. Bear left at a sign, marked Heale, as the path rises with views over the stream on the left. Join a lane and walk briefly left. Turn right after 10m and walk steeply uphill to join Ladies Mile. Follow a stony path out of the trees and on to moorland. Turn left as soon as you reach open moor and follow the Ladies Mile footpath around the hill. To your left amazing views open up across Exmoor.

2.
Fork right uphill through trees and on to moorland. Keep bearing right uphill towards the gorse-covered top. Look back for incredible views over Exmoor. Head straight up the hill to the right of the gorse, across patches of burnt bracken, and join a farm track. Continue to a road. Cross the road and continue over the top of Holdstone Hill.

3.
From the trig point you can see all the way across to Pembrokeshire on a clear day. It can get a bit exposed here, but the large cairn makes a good spot to shelter. Carry on over the hill on a well defined path, which leads you through a maze of gorse. In summer this whole area, and the Great Hangman and Little Hangman hills further down the coast, will be covered in richly coloured purple heather. Pick up the South West Coast Path and follow this east back around Holdstone Hill. Bear left when the path forks to the left of buildings.
Bear left again, keeping to the path closest to the sea. Pass through a hole in a stone wall, then bear left at a sign to Heddon’s Mouth. Go through a gate (keep dogs on a lead) and continue on to grazing land. Go through a gate and continue on the South West Coast Path, with stunning views out to sea and back along
the coastline.

4.
Go up steps and through a gate, along the edge of a field. At the corner, follow signs along the coast path for Hunter’s Inn 2½ miles. Where the path forks at a high point, turn off the South West Coast Path and head right over the brow of the hill, following the fence line, signed Trentishoe Church. Keep to the left of the dry stone wall, overlooking the picturesque Heddon Valley, and drop down when you reach a road.
Turn left, then when you meet the road left again and follow it back over the bridge and to the Hunter’s Inn.

Words: Jo Tinsley
Picture: Martin Bodman/Geograph.org.uk