Ride 7 in the Exmoor on Horseback series. Print

Waypoint 1
"1 Exmoor on Horseback 7"

Malmsmead, Brendon Common and Doone Valley, Ride 7 in the Exmoor on Horseback series. Approx. 9.5km (6 miles). Route described anti clockwise. Start from Malmsmead Car Park (GR 792478) or Dry Bridge (GR 759452) to join at point 6. The route is high and exposed in places so it is advised to ride in good weather. At the crossroads take road signed to Brendon, Lynton and Lynmouth, at once passing a large black tin shed. Immediately fork left up signed Bridleway (BW) to Southern Wood and Brendon Common. Follow steep lane up through gate and into wood. Keep to main track through gate, over hill and down other side.


Waypoint 2
"2 Exmoor on Horseback 7"

Meet road at bottom, turn left and within a few yards, left again, up another steep BW, through wood signed to Brendon Common and Malmsmead Hill. On leaving wood ride straight on, BW signed to Brendon Common. Keep straight on line over hill, ignoring three other tracks crossing.


Waypoint 3
"3 Exmoor on Horseback 7"

Through gate by road, cross straight over, taking the signed BW to Brendon Common and Doone Valley. Follow left hand stony track straight on.


Waypoint 4
"4 Exmoor on Horseback 7"

Where track forks, keep right.


Waypoint 5
"5 Exmoor on Horseback 7"

Over small stream, take left track, follow round to right, ignoring track straight ahead. Near brow of hill meet well defined sandy track, turn right along it, ignoring all other grassy tracks.


Waypoint 6
"6 Exmoor on Horseback 7"

At crossroads of BW s, turn left on BW signed to Doone Valley. Follow BW downhill, over stream and up other side, following BW sign. Track becomes less well defined, but direction of track is clear.


Waypoint 7
"7 Exmoor on Horseback 7"

Track ends at gateway in wall/fence, signed to Doone Valley. Through gate and follow track straight ahead downhill. Cross small stream. Continue downhill to river.


Waypoint 8
"8 Exmoor on Horseback 7"

Here, definitive BW turns left, signed to Cloud Farm and Larkbarrow and follows the river all along the Doone Valley. It is a popular tourist destination and gets crowded in summer.


Waypoint 9
"9 Exmoor on Horseback 7"

A better option is to cross the river here and follow signed permissive BW as far as Deer Park Plantation. This permissive link is called Sir Hugh s Ride, for horse riders only and avoids steep and difficult ford on definitive route. Go through gate at Deer Park Plantation, cross fords on left and rejoin definitive route.


Waypoint 10
"10 Exmoor on Horseback 7"

After passing stables on right, on other side of river, track goes left away from river, through gate and into lane.


Waypoint 11
"11 Exmoor on Horseback 7"

Follow this to another gate onto the road.


Waypoint 12
"12 Exmoor on Horseback 7"

Turn right and back to Malmsmead car park.