Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Walking
Exmoor's open moors and plentiful footpaths are irresistible to hikers. Prime long dis-
tance routes include the Somerset & North Devon Coast Path, part of the
South West Coast
Path
(
www.southwestcoastpath.com
)
, and the Exmoor section of the Two Moors Way. The latter
starts in Lynmouth and travels south to Dartmoor and beyond.
Brendon Hills and the Quantocks. Part of the 180-mile
Tarka Trail
also cuts through the
park; join it at Combe Martin, hike along the cliffs to Lynton and Lynmouth, then head
across the moor towards Barnstaple.
The Exmoor National Park Authority (
Click here
)
organises walks throughout the year.
Its autumn dawn safaris to view rutting stags are superb, as are its summertime evening
deer-watching hikes. Pick up the
Exmoor Visitor
magazine for full details.
WILDLIFE WATCHING
Exmoor supports one of England's largest wild red-deer populations, best experienced in autumn when the annual
'rutting' season means stags can be seen bellowing, charging and clashing horns in an attempt to impress their
prospective mates. Despite their numbers, these skittish creatures are notoriously difficult to spot without some
local knowledge. Two to four times a month, the ENPA runs memorable early morning and evening
Deer Search
Walks
(£3 to £5), which involve scrabbling around the moors and combes, talking in whispers, trying to spot the
animals.
You can also head out on an organised
jeep safari
to combine scenic sightseeing with a couple of hours of off-
road wildlife-spotting. Experienced companies include the following:
Barle Valley Safaris
(
07977 571 494;
www.exmoorwildlifesafaris.co.uk
;
Fore St, Dulverton; safari £30)
Discovery Safaris
(
01643-863444;
www.discoverysafaris.com
; Porlock; safari £25)
Exmoor Safari
(
01643-831229;
www.exmoorsafari.co.uk
;
Exford; safari £33)
Red Stag Safari
(
01643-841831;
www.redstagsafari.co.uk
; location varies; safari £25-38)
Sleeping
The only YHA hostel inside the national park boundaries is at Exford, although there is
one at Minehead. For more basic accommodation, there are also camping barns at North-
combe Farm and at Mullacott Farm; you'll need all the usual camping supplies.
Information
TOURIST OFFICES
