Dunkery Beacon Short Circular Walk Map
This walk climbs to Dunkery Beacon on Dunkery Hill, the highest point in Exmoor and Somerset. From the 1,703 feet (519 metre) summit there are fabulous views over Exmoor, the Brecon Beacons, Bodmin Moor, Dartmoor, the Severn Bridges and the Bristol and English Channels.
The walk starts at the Dunkery Hill car park taking you up the hill to the beacon before heading into the delightful Dunkery and Horner Wood National Nature Reserve. The reserve covers 4000 acres/1604 hectares and is owned and managed by the National Trust. It consists of upland heath and woodland with a variety of wildlife including pied flycatcher, wood warbler, lesser spotted woodpecker, redstart and dipper. It also supports 14 of the 16 UK bat species, including barbastelle and Bechstein bats. You should also see several Exmoor Ponies and Exmoor's Iconic Red Deer. At the hill summit there's a handy toposcope where you can see all of the landmarks that are visible.
If you would like to continue your walk you could head to the nearby Selworthy Beacon in the Holnicote Estate. Here you can enjoy more fabulous views of the Exmoor coast.
The long distance Coleridge Way also passes close to the hill. You could pick this up and head north to the coast and visit Porlock and Porlock Weir.
Postcode
TA24 7AT - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsDunkery Beacon Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Dunkery Beacon Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Dunkery Beacon OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Dunkery Beacon Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
About a mile or so south east of the car park you'll find the little village of Wheddon Cross. Here you can enjoy refreshments at the splendidly named Rest and Be Thankful Inn. The 19th century coaching inn has an interesting history having originally been a staging post for travellers on their way between Dunster and Dulverton about 200 years ago. The bar area has a traditional country pub atmosphere, with log fires in winter and a good menu. There is a skittle alley and a pool table here too. You can find the inn at a postcode of TA24 7DR for your sat navs. The pub is nicely positioned in the Snowdrop Valley with tours and walks to the valley accessible from the bus leaving right from the door. They also provide good quality accommodation if you need to stay over. Wheddon Cross is notable as the highest village in the Exmoor National Park.
The beacon is also not far from the popular Tarr Steps where you will find the wonderful Tarr Steps Farm. The 16th-century riverside inn is located in Dulverton at postcode TA22 9PY. There's outdoor seating with lovely views and a great menu here.
Dog Walking
Fit dogs will love the climb to the beacon. There's also some nice woodland trails south of the hill top which are perfect for exploring with your four legged friend. The Rest and Be Thankful Inn mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Head south from the beacon to Dunkery Bridge and there's some nice footpaths along the River Avil to try. They head east through Mansley Combe, Blagdon Wood and Little Quarne Wood towards Cutcombe and Wheddon Cross.
Just to the west you'll find Nutscale Reservoir. The small reservoir is actually part of the Holnicote Estate with the fishing rights owned by the National Trust. It's in a remote and scenic location with some nice trails to follow around the adjacent Wilmersham Common.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Exmoor Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
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Toposcope on Dunkery Beacon. The site offers extensive panoramic views of the surrounding moorland and, on clear days, distant views of the Bristol Channel and the Mendip Hills.
Cairn erected to commemorate the handing over of Dunkery Hill to the National Trust.
The site has been frequented by humans since the Bronze Age and features several burial mounds, including cairns and bowl barrows. Sweetworthy, located on the lower slopes, is home to two Iron Age hill forts or enclosures and a deserted medieval settlement.
Cutcombe: walkers nearing Dunkery Beacon on the bridleway from Dunkery Gate, a climb of 100m or so. Looking north-north-west. The surrounding habitat is classified as upland moorland, dominated by species such as heather (Calluna vulgaris), bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), and gorse, which are typical of the acidic, nutrient-poor soils of the area. In wetter locations and near the woodland margins, sedges and rushes are present, contributing to the overall mosaic of vegetation.
Ponies on the Beacon. A pair of ponies graze close to the summit. The hill formed part of Henry II's "Royal Forest of Exmoor".
The wildlife on and around Dunkery Beacon includes upland bird species such as red grouse, skylarks, and meadow pipits. Birds of prey such as buzzards and kestrels are also observed in the area. Invertebrate life is well represented by various butterflies and moths that are adapted to the moorland environment. Occasional sightings of mammals, including red deer and foxes, have been reported in the wider Exmoor region.
Path junction near the beacon. A path across Goosemoor Common diverges from a larger path which connects Dunkery Beacon to the Rowbarrows.
Beautiful view of the path, the ponies and the Exmoor hills in the background
View across Bagley Combe towards Dunkery Hill
Wheddon Cross , The Rest and be Thankful Inn