Ride 5 in the Exmoor on Horseback series. Print

Exmoor on Horseback 5 Waypoint 1

Simonsbath and Exford. Approx. 26km (16 miles). Route described clockwise. Start from car park in Simonsbath (GR 774394). Take the B3224 road for Exford. Through the village, past the church, continue up road on the wide left hand pavement. Follow road to double bend (about a mile).

Exmoor on Horseback 5 Waypoint 2

Turn left off road after little stone bridge through double gates on bridleway (BW) signed to Aldermans Barrow and Warren Farm. Follow track up grass field round woody area, keep fence line on left through two fields.

Exmoor on Horseback 5 Waypoint 3

Through hunting gate , turn right. Follow fence on right signed to Warren Drive. This is a permissive bridleway, because the postmans path straight ahead is too steep for horses. Follow fence on right till you meet drive, turn left downhill and follow road hugging the hill. Road bends right over little bridge, then climbs to Warren Farm.

Exmoor on Horseback 5 Waypoint 4

Pass farm and at corner leave tarmac road through double gate signed to Larkbarrow Corner. Follow track.

Exmoor on Horseback 5 Waypoint 5

Halfway along first field go through gate in fence on left. The fence / wall is now on right. Wall changes to post and rail fence, to keep riders off marshy ground.

Exmoor on Horseback 5 Waypoint 6

Track now more visible and leaves hedge and combe for open moor. (This track follows the line of the old mineral railway for approx two miles).

Exmoor on Horseback 5 Waypoint 7

Turn right at BW sign to gate. Sign at gate to Larkbarrow Corner.

Exmoor on Horseback 5 Waypoint 8

At tarmac road, (Larkbarrow Corner) turn left. Up road for approx one mile past cattle grid at Aldermans Barrow.

Exmoor on Horseback 5 Waypoint 9

Turn right just short of National Trust, Holnicote Estate sign. Continue on track with open moor on left, fence on right for approx. one mile.

Exmoor on Horseback 5 Waypoint 10

Through double gates into green lane, turns into farm track then tarmac road. Straight ahead signed BW to Exford and Hillhead Cross.

Exmoor on Horseback 5 Waypoint 11

At T junction , at Hillhead Cross, turn right then immediately left signed BW to Stoke Pero and Cloutsham.

Exmoor on Horseback 5 Waypoint 12

At cross roads turn right signed BW to Stone Cross and Exford. After approx 200 yards turn right on signed BW to Exford. At cross roads turn right signed BW to Stone Cross and Exford. After approx 200 yards turn right on signed BW to Exford. Follow sunken lane in field. Green buildings on right. Track becomes tarmac. Past water works, and continue to Exford village.

Exmoor on Horseback 5 Waypoint 13

At T junction (Edgecott road) turn left past shops and pub. Turn right on B3224, pass garage and over bridge.

Exmoor on Horseback 5 Waypoint 14

Turn left after bridge signed to Withypool and Dulverton. Up hill past youth hostel to cross roads signed Chibbet Cross.

Exmoor on Horseback 5 Waypoint 15

Straight over B3223 on the minor road signed to Landacre and North Molton, (unsuitable for heavy vehicles ). Down hill and through ford. Uphill to next road at Selbed Cross.

Exmoor on Horseback 5 Waypoint 16

Bear left at the fork in road, (right fork signed Exford avoiding ford). After cattle grid follow tarmac road straight ahead to little cross roads with high hedges.

Exmoor on Horseback 5 Waypoint 17

Turn right signed BW to Simonsbath on stony track. Ignor Road Used as Public Path (RUPP) Gipsy Lane which forks right. Continue straight ahead on BW signed to Pickedstones and Horsen Ford. Do not follow hedge.

Exmoor on Horseback 5 Waypoint 18

At fork in track take right fork signed to Simonsbath via Pickedstones. Cross moor through heather to high hedge and gate signed BW Picked Stones (ignore sign diverted bridleway).

Exmoor on Horseback 5 Waypoint 19

Straight across grass field, through gate into lane. Turn left downhill. Follow track past Pickedstones, leaving farm and house on right. BW signed to Simonsbath. Through two gates and bear right, following hedge line.

Exmoor on Horseback 5 Waypoint 20

Track forks downhill into valley and crosses stream. Up other side.

Exmoor on Horseback 5 Waypoint 21

Keep following signs to Simonsbath, passing Winstitchen and green shed on right.

Exmoor on Horseback 5 Waypoint 22

wood turn left, signed BW Simonsbath, and follow hard track by edge of wood. Steep track down to road, joins BW from Cow Castle. Turn right on road and return to start.