Long Load walks

Dundon Beacon Nature Reserve, Compton Dundon

Visorando Member

Departure from Compton Dundon (Somerset)

A mosaic of calcareous grassland, scrub, ancient oak woodland, secondary woodland and conifer plantation on Dundon Hill. The top of Dundon Hill features significant archaeological remains with a hill fort, Bronze Age round barrow and ancient quarry.

White Field Nature Reserve, Butleigh

Visorando Member

Departure from Butleigh (Somerset)

Unimproved neutral grassland and a small copse. The site has open access via rights of way from Butleigh. Please keep to the edges of the field until the hay has been cut.

South Cadbury, Somerset

Visorando Member

South Cadbury, Somerset

Departure from South Cadbury and Sutton Montis (Somerset)

The walk follows the Corton Ridge and offers great views across the Somerset Levels and the Dorset Hills. It has great historic significance as Cadbury Castle is reputed to be Camelot King Arthur's Castle. You also cross the ancient medieval village of Whitcombe. It's an up and downer and can be boggy in wet weather. As an incentive there are two great pubs you can call in at!

Westhay Moor National Nature Reserve

Visorando Member

Departure from Meare (Somerset)

Westhay Moor is north of the village of Westhay in Somerset. The car park is just off the road to Godney, at the junction with Daggs Lane Drove. A National Cycle Network route runs along a disused railway line, just south of Westhay village.

Blackbrook Meander

Visorando Member

Departure from Taunton (Somerset)

A gentle meander alongside Blackbrook and around pleasant Hamilton Gault Park. The stream is a traffic-free route for wildlife in and out of the town, including otters and water voles. Come out on a summer evening and watch bats flying above your head catching insects.

River and Canal

Visorando Member

Departure from Taunton (Somerset)

A pleasant route of reasonable distance, taking in a beautiful stretch of Taunton’s crowning glory the River Tone, and a quiet tract of the Bridgwater and Taunton canal. Wildlife abounds.

Bishopswood Meadows (and Jan Hobbs) Nature Reserve

Visorando Member

Departure from Otterford (Somerset)

Species-rich limestone and marshy meadows beside River Yarty.

A Criss-Cross of Bridges

Visorando Member

Departure from Taunton (Somerset)

Take in a lively stretch of the River Tone, a new wildlife mural, and the Mill Stream running through Goodland Gardens. Visit by day you’ll see Little Egrets hunting for fish, and at dusk, you might be joined by bats who are out hunting for their supper.

River Tone Story Trail

Visorando Member

Departure from Taunton (Somerset)

Circular, family-fun story trail 1.5km riverside walk.

Evercreech to Batcombe and back along the River Alham

Visorando Member

Evercreech to Batcombe and back along the River Alham

Departure from Evercreech (Somerset)

A thoroughly pleasant and not very arduous walk from Evercreech to Chesterblade, then to Batcombe and back along the River Alham. There are quite a few hills but none of them are very long and the total ascent of the walk is surprisingly modest.

Steart Marshes

Association / Club / Walk leader

Departure from Otterhampton (Somerset)

A circular walk through the newly created Steart Marshes along well made pathways, with an optional extension to the breach in the former sea defences on the River Parrett.

Wedmore

Association / Club / Walk leader

Departure from Weare (Somerset)

A circular walk around Axbridge area visiting Ashton Windmill.

Chapel and Stone Allerton

Association / Club / Walk leader

Departure from Weare (Somerset)

Easy walk around Axbridge area with the possibility to visit Ashton Windmill.

Axbridge and Cheddar Reservoir

Association / Club / Walk leader

Departure from Weare (Somerset)

A circular walk around Axbridge area exploring Cheddar Reservoir.

Allerton Moor

Association / Club / Walk leader

Departure from Weare (Somerset)

An easy circular walk around Axbridge visiting Ashton Windmill.

Hawkridge Reservoir & Lime Kiln

Association / Club / Walk leader

Hawkridge Reservoir & Lime Kiln

Departure from Spaxton (Somerset)

A circular walk around Hawkridge Reservoir with opportunities for some bird watching. Then through mixed woodland and across high pasture with views across to the Mendips and Glastonbury Tor. The mile extension takes in a renovated limekiln and a viewpoint on Hawkridge Common.

Cerne Abbas circuit

Visorando Member

Departure from Cerne Abbas (Dorset)

A circular walk giving beautiful views over the surrounding countryside of rolling hills and meadows.

Cranmore Tower to Shepton Mallet

Visorando Member

Cranmore Tower to Shepton Mallet

Departure from Cranmore (Somerset)

This walk is intended as the return leg to the central section of the East Mendip Way from Shepton Mallet to Cranmore Tower and is originally published on the East Mendip Way Facebook page.

Cheddar Gorge from Black Rock

Visorando Member

Cheddar Gorge from Black Rock

Departure from Cheddar (Somerset)

This circular walk with ascents and descents explores the famous Cheddar Gorge in the Mendip Hills with great viewpoints from the cliffs!

Crook Peak & Compton Bishop

Association / Club / Walk leader

Departure from Compton Bishop (Somerset)

Superb views from a rocky hilltop, returning via a pretty village and a path below the Mendip ridge.

Axbridge & Cheddar Reservoir

Association / Club / Walk leader

Departure from Compton Bishop (Somerset)

Visit our historic local town, returning via a bird-rich reservoir and a section of the atmospheric Somerset Levels.

King’s Wood

Association / Club / Walk leader

Departure from Compton Bishop (Somerset)

A disused railway and tunnel, a local nature reserve with orchids and ancient trees, and a wooded return.

Seatown from Charmouth via Golden Cap

Visorando Member

Departure from Charmouth (Dorset)

This linear Dorset walk follows the South West Coast Path from Charmouth to Seatown. The coastal scenery on this part of the Jurassic Coast is dramatic and the walk includes the highest point on the Dorest Coast at Golden Cap.

A challenging day-long hike taking in the beauty of West Dorset.

Visorando Member

Extremely difficult

Departure from Chideock (Dorset)

If you want beaches, cliffs, woodlands and meadows and a walk that will test your fitness, this is the one for you.

Ubley Warren Nature Reserve

Visorando Member

Departure from Priddy (Somerset)

Public footpaths and with stiles and gates. Be aware of grazing animals and keep dogs on leads around livestock. Watch out for uneven ground and hidden mineshafts on Ubley Warren.

Ubley Warren and Velvet Bottom Nature Reserves

Visorando Member

Departure from Priddy (Somerset)

Explore Somerset Wildlife Trust’s Ubley Warren and Velvet Bottom Nature Reserves and the surrounding landscape of The Mendip Hills AONB.

Beacon Batch, Long Wood and Velvet Bottom from Blackmoore Reserve

Visorando Member

Beacon Batch, Long Wood and Velvet Bottom from Blackmoore Reserve

Departure from Priddy (Somerset)

This circular walk provides a good way to discover the highest point of Mendip Hills with 360° views using a section of The Mendip Trail, West Mendip Way and interesting paths in preserved nature reserves including Long Wood and Velvet Bottom!

Wavering Down and Crook Peak from Kings Wood, near Winscombe

Visorando Member

Departure from Compton Bishop (Somerset)

This Somerset walk includes a wonderful ridge walk along the West Mindop Way to the summit of Crook Peak. The return route passes through the villages of Compton Bishop and Cross.

Cameley and Hinton Blewett from Litton

Visorando Member

Cameley and Hinton Blewett from Litton

Departure from Litton (Somerset)

This Somerset walk takes you through unspoilt countryside sheletered beneath the slopes of the Mendip Hills. The route includes tracks, footpaths and quiet country lanes.

More walks in Long Load

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