The best walks and hikes around Stawley

Yes, the area is well-suited for circular walks. The landscape of rolling hills and river valleys, combined with an extensive network of public footpaths, allows for many loop routes. This means you can easily start and end your hike in the same place without retracing your steps. A good example is the Wiveliscombe Brewery Buildings – View of Deepleigh Lane loop from Wiveliscombe, which offers a pleasant circuit through the countryside.

The terrain is varied, reflecting its location in the Blackdown Hills AONB. You'll find everything from gentle, flat paths along the River Tone and River Culm to more challenging ascents up steep, wooded scarps to the high plateau. Most trails are on well-trodden footpaths, bridleways, and quiet country lanes, but some sections can be muddy after rain, so waterproof footwear is recommended.

Many trails around Stawley are great for walking with dogs, thanks to the numerous public footpaths through fields and woodlands. However, you will likely cross fields with livestock, so it's essential to keep your dog on a lead in these areas. Always be mindful of local signage and the Countryside Code.

The region has many options for family-friendly walks. For a relatively short and manageable outing, consider the Hiking loop from Westleigh. It's an easy trail that offers a great introduction to the local scenery without being too strenuous for younger walkers.

The diverse habitats of the Blackdown Hills support a rich array of wildlife. While walking through the ancient woodlands and along hedgerows, you might spot various bird species, including buzzards soaring overhead. The area is also known for being a habitat for hazel dormice and several species of bats, though they are primarily active at night. In spring and summer, the meadows and woodland floors are often full of wildflowers.

Yes, combining a good walk with a visit to a country pub is a popular activity here. Several routes pass through or near villages with traditional pubs. You can plan a route that starts or ends near a village like Wiveliscombe or Hemyock, where you'll find welcoming inns to relax in after your hike.

There is a wide selection of routes, with over 190 trails mapped on komoot in the Stawley region. The majority of these are rated as easy or moderate, making the area accessible for most fitness levels. Only a handful are classified as difficult, typically involving significant distance or elevation gain.

The hiking routes around Stawley are highly regarded by the komoot community. Reviewers often praise the beautiful, unspoiled scenery of the Blackdown Hills, the tranquility of the woodlands, and the panoramic views from the hilltops. The mix of riverside paths and hill walks is frequently mentioned as a major highlight.

While Stawley itself is known more for its network of local circular walks, it's situated within a region crisscrossed by footpaths that can be linked together to create longer, more challenging day hikes. You can connect various local trails to explore the wider Blackdown Hills AONB, covering significant distances through varied landscapes.

A prominent landmark in the region is the Wellington Monument, the world's tallest three-sided obelisk, which is accessible via several walking trails. For those interested in history, you can also plan hikes to explore the ruins of the 14th-century Hemyock Castle or venture to Culmstock Beacon, a historic stone structure offering panoramic views.

The most remote trailheads are best accessed by car. However, larger villages in the area, such as Wiveliscombe and Wellington, have bus services that can connect you to the wider region. From these hubs, you can access the starting points of many excellent walks, including some that follow the River Tone.