The best walks and hikes in Blackdown Hills Aonb

Yes, the Blackdown Hills are ideal for circular walks. Many trails are designed as loops, allowing you to start and end at the same point, often a village or car park. A great example is the Knowles Wood & Blackborough Common loop, which takes you through varied scenery without needing to retrace your steps.

The Blackdown Hills offer numerous gentle walks suitable for families. The terrain is often rolling rather than steeply mountainous. Look for routes on flatter ground, such as those following river valleys. The area around Otterhead Lakes is a local nature reserve with peaceful paths perfect for a family outing.

Reaching the heart of the Blackdown Hills AONB by public transport can be challenging due to its rural nature. Mainline train stations are located in nearby towns like Taunton and Honiton, from which you may be able to take local bus services to surrounding villages. However, services can be infrequent, so planning your journey in advance is essential. Most trailheads are best accessed by car.

Dogs are generally welcome on public footpaths throughout the Blackdown Hills. However, you will be walking through a landscape of working farms and sensitive wildlife habitats. Always keep your dog under close control, especially near livestock, and on a lead where signposted to protect ground-nesting birds and other animals.

While the Blackdown Hills are known for gentle rolling landscapes, there are more demanding options. For a longer, more strenuous day out, you could tackle a section of a long-distance path or combine several shorter loops. The Blackdown Common loop to Culmstock Beacon is a moderate route of 4.7 miles (7.5 km) that offers a bit more of a challenge with rewarding views.

The landscape is rich with history. You can hike to several Iron Age hillforts like Hembury Fort and Dumpdon Hill, which offer panoramic views. Other points of interest include the Wellington Monument, the Elizabethan-era Culmstock Beacon, and the ruins of the 12th-century Dunkeswell Abbey.

For some of the most expansive views, head to the area's high points. Staple Hill, the highest point in the AONB, offers views as far as Wales on a clear day. Hikes to historic sites like the Wellington Monument, Culmstock Beacon, and Iron Age hillforts such as Castle Neroche are also rewarded with stunning panoramas of the surrounding countryside.

Many walks can be planned to start, finish, or pass through picturesque villages that have traditional pubs. The village of Broadhembury, for example, features a lovely thatched pub and is the starting point for several circular routes through the surrounding fields and woodlands.

There are over 170 hiking routes to explore in the Blackdown Hills on komoot. These range from short, easy access trails to more demanding long-distance paths, covering the area's diverse landscapes of wooded valleys, high plateaus, and historic sites.

The trails in the Blackdown Hills are highly regarded by the komoot community, with an average rating of 4.4 stars from over 240 reviews. Hikers often praise the tranquility of the area, the well-preserved ancient woodlands, and the fantastic views from the tops of the hills and historic beacons.

The hiking terrain is varied, defined by a mix of steep, wooded scarp slopes, particularly on the northern edge, and a gentler plateau incised by the river valleys of the Culm, Otter, and Yarty. You'll find a network of footpaths, bridleways, and quiet country lanes crossing a patchwork of fields, ancient woodlands, and open heathland.

Many of the popular walking spots, such as Castle Neroche, Staple Hill, and Culmstock Beacon, have small, dedicated car parks. You can also often find parking in the villages that serve as hubs for various circular walks. It's always a good idea to arrive early on sunny weekends as spaces can be limited.