9 Of The Best Places to Walk in Somerset
Home to a slither of Exmoor National Park, the coastline edging the Bristol Channel and three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, there are plenty of places to walk in Somerset. And with 6,000 kilometres’ worth of public rights of way in the county, it’s unlikely you’ll ever manage to tackle them all.
But if you fancy challenging yourself, start off with nine of the best places to walk in Somerset – many of which are near tearooms for tasty treats and pubs serving local cider.
Cheddar Gorge
A three-mile walk with views of an impressive chasm
England’s biggest gorge – it comes in at a whopping 122 metres deep – is one of Somerset’s prettiest places to walk. Wander the full three-mile length from the Lookout Tower and you can gaze out over the karst limestone scenery from a dramatic vantage point. You’ll hike to the highest section of the gorge and take in views over pockmarked crags, Horseshoe Bend and The Pinnacles rocks before making your way back to Cheddar. It’s an easy-to-follow route along a National Trust’s footpath.
Hoping to turn your hike into a holiday? Stay at a Cheddar Gorge campsite.
The Mendip Way
A three-day walk from coast to countryside
This 50-mile hike starts in Uphill at the coast and wends its way inland to Frome, a town that regularly wins awards for its independent ethos. Follow a ridge teetering above the Somerset Levels on one side and the deep blue lakes of Chew Valley on the other before descending to the villages of Cheddar and Axbridge. You’ll also stroll through the city of Wells – stop at the Bishop’s Palace to see the bell-ringing swans – and the caves of Wookey Hole. There are also thick woodlands and vast valleys enroute for pretty picnic stops on this long-distance walking route through Somerset.
Seek out Somerset campsites near the Mendip Way.
Bath Skyline
Spectacular city views on a four-hour countryside stroll
The hills surrounding Bath – the Roman and Georgian city in England’s South West – are superb for a circular walk. Embark on an elevated stroll that looks out across the settlement’s honey-coloured buildings from Bathwick Hill, passing lush woods, Prior Park’s landscaped garden and a USA-themed museum enroute. At Bathampton, you can detour along the placid waters of the Kennet and Avon Canal or follow the Bath to Bradford Upon Avon Canal Walk into Wiltshire.
Bed down near our Bath campsites on your next break.
Brean Down
One of the best coastal walks in Somerset
Peer over to Weston-super-Mare on one side and Brean Beach on the other from this historical headland jutting out into the Bristol Channel. This fantastic circular walk starts off with a short but steep climb before levelling out at the top. Wander all the way to the 18th-century fort at the tip of the promontory, taking in distant views over to Wales and the uninhabited Flat Holm and Steepholm islands as you roam. Brean's also made it onto our list of dog-friendly Somerset beaches you need to visit this summer (or any time of year, really).
Spend a holiday at the seaside in one of our Brean campsites.
Blagdon Lake
An aquatic attraction for an hour-long amble
For a watery walk in the Mendip Hills, navigate your way towards Blagdon Lake. This 430-acre man-made reservoir is over a century old and, as it's a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), canine companions must be kept on a leash when walking here. There's a compact woodland area with a public footpath running alongside Butcombe Bay in the north-western corner of the lake.
Dogs aren't allowed to swim in Blagdon Lake, but they'll get a kick out of snuffling along on the tree-lined paths with views out over the water and countryside surrounds.
Find campsites near Blagdon Lake.
Dunkery Hill
Hikes to the highest point in Somerset
Dawdle up to Dunkery Beacon at the summit of Dunkery Hill to stand on the roof of Somerset. At 520 metres in height, this is the tallest section of southern England outside of Devon’s Dartmoor. From the top you’ll spy Exmoor, the Brecon Beacons, Bodmin Moor, Dartmoor and the Bristol and English Channels. Walks here also cover the 4,000-acre Dunkery and Horner Wood National Nature Reserve, where you might spot wild Exmoor ponies and red deer.
For a longer route, veer onto the Coleridge Way and navigate north to the long shingle beach backed by bobbing boats at Porlock Weir.
Pitch up at a Porlock campsite for your Dunkery Beacon walk.
The Quantock Hills
A Somerset coast walk with fossil hunting and Bristol Channel views
Inland, this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is made up of the gorgeously green upland heath and wood-covered combes that inspired Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Kubla Khan. And the scenery gets even more interesting at the rocky beaches lining the coast. Wander along Kilve beach in search of Jurassic-era fossils or seek out one of the best beaches in Somerset, St Audries Bay, for its cliffside waterfalls. One recommended walking route heads inland through East Quantoxhead village, which has a stone church, medieval tithe barn and old mill house as reminders of bygone times.
Glastonbury Tor
A two-mile circular walk to a spiritual spot with views over the Somerset Levels
Keep an eye out for mythical creatures as you trot to the top of Glastonbury Tor. Legends claim that this hill houses a door to the Underworld of Annwn fairy kingdom. Kids love looking for secret entryways hidden in the grass. This family-friendly amble kicks off at the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey and leads up to the 15th-century St Michael's Tower on top of the tor. As well as views out across Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire, you can even see over to Wales on a clear day.
Explore the Somerset Levels while camping in Glastonbury.
Tarr Steps in Exmoor National Park
A 1.5-hour stroll over a bridge belonging to the Devil
It’s said that Lucifer himself created West Somerset’s Tarr Steps before deciding to allow anyone to cross without harm after a confrontation with a local vicar. Lucky for us, as this clapper bridge across the River Barle and its surroundings are more heavenly than hellish. Follow the waterway through woodland into Withypool on this circular walk, then stop off at the tearoom for scones. (Remember that the cream goes before the jam... unless you want to incur the wrath of locals.) Once you’re done, burn off the meal on an uphill hike to Hawkridge and take in the views across Exmoor, then it’s downhill back to the historic bridge.
Tarr Steps is such a treat, it's also made it onto our list of the best Somerset nature reserves to visit.
Escape to Exmoor National Park for a camping trip.
Hoping to explore the county's coast? Check out the 10 best beaches in Somerset.