Westhay Moor Nature Reserve

Embark on the challenging Westhay Moore, Meare, & Division Rhyne loop, a difficult hike spanning 12.7 miles (20.5 km) with a minimal 86 feet (26 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 5 hours and 9 minutes to complete. This route immerses you in the unique wetland landscape of the Westhay Moor National Nature Reserve, a former peat-digging area. You will traverse flat terrain featuring extensive reedbeds, open water, and wet woodlands, often on boardwalks or compacted earth paths. Be prepared for potentially muddy conditions, especially after rain, making waterproof boots a must. On clear days, you might even catch distant views of Glastonbury Tor and the Mendip Hills, adding to the tranquil atmosphere.

While the trail itself is challenging, the broader Westhay Moor Nature Reserve offers easier, shorter paths if you prefer a less strenuous outing. For this specific loop, ensure you have very good fitness. The reserve is well-equipped with numerous hides and screens, perfect for observing wildlife. Consider visiting in summer to see abundant dragonflies and damselflies, or in winter for the spectacular starling murmurations.

This trail is a highlight of the internationally acclaimed Avalon Marshes within the Somerset Levels and Moors. It showcases a significant conservation success, transforming from industrial peat extraction into a thriving wildlife habitat. The reserve is a biodiversity hotspot, famous for birdwatching, with species like marsh harriers and bitterns, and is home to the largest surviving fragment of lowland acid mire in Southwest England. The landscape also holds historical depth, with evidence of Neolithic activity and a long history of peat extraction.