Coast Challenge – 80 Miles in Eight Days
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This is a fantastic opportunity to take in the spectacular Somerset and Exmoor coast on a journey through time and history on two of England’s coastal National Trails.
This year we begin the walk on the top of Exmoor at County Gate before following the King Charles III England Coast Path downhill to Glenthorne and continuing through tranquil woodlands with bubbling waterfalls to reach Culbone Church, the smallest operating Parish Church in England. We then head to Porlock Weir on paths, said to have inspired Coleridge to write Kubla Khan, and cross the Marshes to end the day in the village of Porlock.
Leaving Porlock we head to Bossington and then up to Hurlstone Point and on to one of the most remote and wildest parts of our journey. Here rugged cliffs overlook rocky coves while Exmoor ponies graze alongside gorse and bracken, and the sound of the red deer rut echoes across the moors in the autumn. Leaving the moors we head down winding woodland paths to reach Minehead.
From Minehead we head to Watchet, passing the Iron Giant sculpture that marks the start of South West Coast Path, on Quay Street. Leaving Minehead we shadow the West Somerset Railway through Dunster and Blue Anchor to Watchet. These coastal towns and villages feature tales of shipwrecks and smuggling and each has its own unique character from old buildings and harbours to holiday beaches and hill-walking.
Leaving Watchet we walk on shores that are part of the Lilstock to Blue Anchor Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with beaches and cliff formations that offer an outstanding series of sections through our geological past. Inland are rolling hills with manor houses and castles, medieval woodlands and villages with chocolate box cottages. Passing through Lilstock, once a thriving port, and inland past Hinkley Point, we end the day in Burton. We now head back to the coast past fishermen’s cottages in Stolford and on to Steart Marshes, part of the new Somerset Wetlands National Nature Reserve. The Marshes here are managed wetlands that provide shelter for thousands of overwintering wading birds and create a natural sea defence against coastal flooding.
From Steart we continue our journey on the banks of the estuary on the River Parrett Trail. Passing through Combwich, once part of an old pilgrim trail, we follow the river crossing the many drainage channels and clyces that help to drain the land here. Across the river we can see the next days journey and ahead of us in Bridgwater once a major inland port. From Bridgwater we continue on the banks of the River Parrett on the Pawlett Hams, once famed as the richest 2,000 acres in England. The route takes us past an old barrage balloon shelter, once a centre for research into anti-barrage balloon warfare. Back at the coast we head north, crossing the River Huntspill and the River Brue to reach Highbridge.
On the last day we head through Burnham-on-Sea, passing the shortest pier in England and the famous wooden ‘lighthouse on legs’ on the beach. At Berrow we pass the wreck of the Nornen and look ahead to the spectacular view of Brean Down. This natural pier marks the end of journey and the chance to celebrate the achievement.
Along the entire route we have arranged stamping stations and you will receive a Somerset & Exmoor Coast Trail Passport with details of the route and spaces to collect the stamps as we walk.
Look out for events, offers and promotions at the location of the walk each day, some of our supporters are timing their activities and plans to make your trip as enjoyable as possible with special treats such as packed lunches or cream teas available at the start or end of your day’s walking.
Due to the challenge nature of this walk and the possibility of livestock in the fields we are passing through, we have made the decision not to accept dogs on the walk.
Key facts:
- Difficulty level – Challenging
- Distance – 80 miles / 129km
- Duration – 8 Days
Full details of the itinerary and walk leaders will be distributed prior to the start of the challenge.
Itinerary:
Each morning we’ll meet at the end point of your day’s walking where there will be parking available. Here you will be joined by Walk Leaders and back-markers and driven to the start of that day’s trail to walk back to your car / transport.
At the start location we may be joined by walkers opting not to use our transport and following a briefing for the day, the walk will begin.
Where public transport is available at start and / or end locations it is shown below as PTS (public transport available at the start) or PTE (public transport available at the end), this is based on services running as normal for the time of year.
Further information will be included in the walk information pack sent out before the walks.
Day 1 – County Gate to Porlock (Challenging) (PTE)
Day 2 – Porlock to Minehead (Challenging) (PTS + PTE)
Day 3 – Minehead to Watchet (Moderate) (PTS + PTE)
Day 4 – Watchet to Burton (Moderate) (PTS)
Day 5 – Burton to Steart (Moderate)
Day 6 – Steart to Bridgwater (Moderate) (PTE)
Day 7 – Bridgwater to Highbridge (Moderate) (PTS + PTE)
Day 8 – Highbridge to Brean (Moderate) (PTS)
Terrain:
Days 3 – 8 are on terrain that would be considered easy (flat, no stiles and only a few shortish hills), however we have classed it as moderate given the distances to be walked each day. Days 1 and 2 are more challenging with multiple hills and more remote sections of path, they have been kept shorter to accommodate this.
Get in touch with the organiser for more information
