Heddon Valley Circular Walk ~ Griffmonsters Great Walks

Heddon Valley Circular Walk

An amazing walk full of spectacular views along this rugged part of the North Devon coast

An amazing walk that heads down the Heddon Valley to follow the South West Coast Path through to Woody Bay. Return is along the track at the top of the cliffs. Amazing views and outstanding scenery. There is the option of going down to Heddon Mouth where the Heddon river meets the sea.<br><br>Refreshments can be found at the Hunters Inn which marks the start and end of this walk

NOTE

This is a walk summary intended to provide the user with just the essential information in order to navigate the walk route. Fully detailed information notes, refreshment stops and walk features are not included in this. A full write up will be included in the near future.

Heddon Valley Circular Walk - Essential Information

Walk Statistics (calculated from GPX):

Start location: Hunters Inn
Distance: miles ( km)
Total Gain: ft ( metre)
Total Descent: ft ( metre)
Min Height: ft ( metre)
Max Height: ft ( metre)
Walk Time:
Walk Grade: Medium
Terrain: Footpath, Track

Maps:

The following maps and services can assist in navigating this route. There are links to printed maps and links to downloadable GPX route data for importing into navigational software and apps.

Ordnance Survey Explorer Map: OS Explorer OL9 - Exmoor
GPX Route File

Route Verification Details

Date of Walk: 30/06/2021
Walk Time: 10:30:00 to 14:30:00
Walkers: Kat, Griff
Weather Conditions: glorious sunshine and blue skies

Walk Notes

The Hunter Inn is located in a valley about half way between Combe Martin and Lynmouth on the north Devon Coast. It is not easy to get to and there is no public transport so one is left to either walk along the South West Coast Path or drive. If driving do not trust satnavs, from experience they attempt to send the unfamiliar motorist down lanes that are not suitable for the average saloon. Follow the roadsigns, they are there for a reason. There is a large pay and display car park just up the road from the Hunters Inn, opposite a toilet block. The valley and its environs are a big tourist attraction and the roads get clogged during the holiday season.

This instance of the walk was undertaken primarily because we missed a short section whilst undertaking the Combe Martin to Lynmouth section of the South West Coast Path s couple of years previously. A delay on route caused by a fall and injury left us with short time to get to Lynmouth and therefore we cut across the country to pick up the path at Woody Bay. Revisiting the area enabled us to not only walk the short missed section but to discover a fantastic short circular walk and to view Heddons Mouth at the head of the valley where the stream known as Hanging Water exudes into the sea. The waters filter through a beach composed of large pebbles and boulders. It is well worth walking down to this to take in the sight seems to have every visitor just stand there agog taking it all in.

On the western side is what looks like a stone hut and although it is easy to assume this to be nothing more than a shepherds shelter it is in fact a 19th Century lime kiln that took coal and limestone shipped in from South Wales. This was burnt to produce the lime that was required to neutralize the acidity of local soils. This section of the coast is now part of the Natural Trust and the lime kiln was restored by them in 1982.

The walk follows the South West Coast Path east of Heddon's Mouth through to Woody Bay. It is a steep climb out of the valley bto where the coast path follows the cliffs part way up the grassy steep slopes above the cliffs, winding in and out the bays and coves of the coastline and includes a waterfall at Hanging Water just prior to the point where we return back to Heddon Valley. This is really spectacular and no visitor will leave without being impressed.

The return follows a well used track and path that navigates along the top of the cliffs for more stunning views. The descent back to the Hunter Inn is a lot gentler gradient than the outward ascent, emerging right next to the Inn ready for some well deserved refreshments. The time this walk was undertaken was during the Covid restrictions and only the pub garden was available to customers. Despite a queue for tables we were soon seated and with Exmoor Ale to accompany the Antipasti mixed meat board with olives crispy bread and balsamic olive oil provided a perfect end to the walk. Whilst sitting in the garden a couple on a tandem were about to set off to continue their Devon expedition. They were speaking with other customers who seemed inquisitive as to the effort required to mount the huge hills in this county. They agreed it required some effort and would demonstrate their technique which was to cycle a few hundred yards up the road, turn around and then use the descent to propel them up the steep incline of the lane adjacent to the pub. Many eyes stared as they undertook this endeavour. The issue was the sharp turn to get onto the hill which reduced the speed they could potentially achieve. Nonetheless they hurtled down the road in peddling unison, rounded the corner and within seconds they were weaving side to side to get up that hill. They didnt comb back so must have succeeded.

This is a highly recommended ramble and a perfect pub lunch.