Parracombe and Heddon Valley Circular
Devon
This dog friendly Exmoor walk starts at the National Trust base in Heddon Valley and climbs through hanging oak woodland onto the open coast path, where the cliffs above Heddon's Mouth are some of the highest in England. The route can be extended inland over moorland and quiet lanes to the picture-postcard village of Parracombe with its medieval St Petrock's Church, before dropping back down into the valley alongside the River Heddon to the pebble cove at the mouth.
Dogs are welcome throughout, with the wooded valley itself fairly enclosed and great for off-lead time when no livestock is in sight, but the open Exmoor sections above Parracombe carry sheep, cattle and ponies year round, so leads are needed up there. The river and pebble beach are paw-friendly and good for a paddle in summer. Parking is at the Heddon Valley National Trust car park (free for members), and the Hunter's Inn is a dog friendly pub right at the start.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 9.5 km (5.9 miles)
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Duration
- 3 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Coastal, Moorland, River
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- Hunter's Inn pub (dog friendly), National Trust shop and toilets at Heddon Valley; St Petrock's Church at Parracombe.
- Parking
- National Trust car park at Heddon Valley (EX31 4PY), free to members and pay and display for non-members.
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What’s Nearby?
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