View of Cheddar Gorge – Velvet Bottom Nature Reserve loop from Aveline's Hole

Hiking trails & Routes

View of Cheddar Gorge – Velvet Bottom Nature Reserve loop from Aveline's Hole

Moderate

4.7

(38)

160

hikers

View of Cheddar Gorge – Velvet Bottom Nature Reserve loop from Aveline's Hole

04:47

16.2km

440m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 6, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Mendip Hills National Landscape

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

5.15 km

View of Cheddar Gorge

Highlight • Natural Monument

Nice short walk to see the Gorge from the top. Possible to do with children (mine was 10+). You can do the circular walk around the Gorge from here and finish going down Jacob's ladder.

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6.33 km

Cox's Mill Pond

Lake

7.93 km

Feral Goats of Cheddar Gorge

Highlight • Natural

If you like goats there are lots here

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7.98 km

View of Cheddar Gorge and Cheddar Reservoir

Highlight • Natural Monument

At almost 400 feet (122 m) deep and 3 miles (5 km) long, this is England’s largest gorge and, with its weathered crags and pinnacles, one of our most spectacular …

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9.06 km

Wild Goats Near Shipham, Mendip Hills

Highlight • Natural

A peekaboo I see you!!!!

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9.12 km

Black Rock Steep Rocky Path

Highlight (Segment) • Natural

This might not be so nice, depending on how confident/sure-footed you are, how much it’s rained, or whether you’re going down rather than up!

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10.1 km

Black Rock Limestone Outcrop

Highlight • Natural

Black Rock is a limestone outcrop above Cheddar Gorge. There are a few climbing routes here and old lime kilns. This area is owned and managed by the National Trust and part of a nature reserve.

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11.4 km

Velvet Bottom Nature Reserve

Nature Reserve

12.2 km

Velvet Bottom Nature Reserve

Highlight • Natural

Velvet Bottom is part of the wider Cheddar Complex Sites of Special Scientific Interest which is a network of nature reserves on the Mendip Hills. Each reserve has its own …

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12.8 km

Blackmoor Nature Reserve

Highlight • Natural

Blackmoor Nature Reserve is part of the wider Cheddar Complex Sites of Special Scientific Interest which is a network of nature reserves on the Mendip Hills. Each
reserve has its …

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16.2 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

6.44 km

5.90 km

3.00 km

453 m

448 m

Surfaces

5.67 km

5.09 km

3.49 km

1.17 km

729 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (310 m)

Lowest point (20 m)

Weather

Friday 16 October

13°C

4°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 21.0 km/h

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Comments

June 13, 2024,Cheddar Gorge, Black Rock Quarry, Velvet Bottom, Jacobs Ladder, Lookout Tower Loop

A hike that i've put off a few times. Finally got to go. set off at 0300. 2 hour drive. saw a beautiful sunrise, then set off from the car park in the village at 0600. I love to hike as early as I can. There are less people around, and find it very peaceful. The beginning section of the …