Nothing prepares you for the Valley of Rocks. It’s like a
giant prehistoric landscape, straight out of One Million
Years BC (sorry, we can’t promise Raquel Welch)
Instead of dinosaurs, feral goats seem to egg each other on to take ever‐more crazy routes around the crags, caves and crevices, but by some miracle they manage to hang on. It looks glacial, but in fact during the Ice Age the ice sheet missed it, leaving it a waterless valley, long since silted up to become the U shape it is now.
It really is an incredible sight, and well worth either a bracing walk from Lynton along the South West Coastal Path, or a shorter visit by parking at the site’s car park. This is a flat tarmacked route, so if you have someone in your party in a wheelchair or with mobility issues, this is a good outing to consider.
The Walk 2 miles Directions: From Minehead take the A39 to Lynton and follow the signs through the town to the Valley of Rocks. At the Valley of Rocks itself, there are 60 spaces with two hours free parking.
There are lots of parking options in Lynton and Lynmouth, so check online before you leave: https://www.visitlyntonandlynmouth.com/how‐to‐ get‐here Sat Nav: EX35 6HJ One option is to park in Lynmouth, get the funicular Cliff Railway up to Lynton and then walk the flat one mile from the end of North Walk, part of the South West coast path to the Valley of Rocks. It’s a stunning clifftop location with jaw‐dropping views.
Alternatively, drive to the Valley of Rocks car park and wander around the area. If you choose to drive, you’ll find a flat tarmac road running through the Valley which makes it quite accessible. Once here, we strongly advise against climbing the rocks as it is extremely dangerous, and only the goats know how to hang on!
Download walk leaflet here
For more information on Exmoor walks and to view the full series for The Little Book of Walks, contact
E
Info@exmoorcharactercottages.co.uk
W
www.exmoorcharactercottages.co.uk
T 07817 698366