Selworthy, Horner Woods & Periton Hill loop from Minehead — Exmoor National Park

Embark on the Selworthy, Horner Woods & Periton Hill loop from Minehead, a difficult mountain biking adventure spanning 22.0 miles (35.4 km) with a significant 3749 feet (1143 metres) of elevation gain. This challenging route, taking around 3 hours and 49 minutes, treats you to panoramic views from Selworthy Beacon and Dunkery Beacon, often revealing the Exmoor Coastline. You will navigate varied terrain, including fast singletrack through Horner Wood's ancient oak land, rocky sections on the Dunkery Beacon Descent, and exhilarating doubletrack descents through Periton Hill's steep woodlands.

This hard mountain bike ride demands very good fitness and advanced riding skills, falling within the STS S3 - S6 technical difficulty range. Be prepared for challenging climbs and technical descents; some portions of the route may even require you to push your bike. Given the demanding nature, ensure your bike is in excellent condition and you carry all necessary supplies for a self-supported ride.

The Selworthy, Horner Woods & Periton Hill loop is a top favourite among local mountain bikers and is considered the most popular mountain bike trail originating from Minehead. Its appeal lies in the diverse blend of open moorland, scenic valleys, and dense ancient woodlands, combined with significant climbs and challenging singletrack. The fast singletrack in Horner Woods and the fun doubletrack descents at Periton Hill are particularly notable features that draw riders to this premier Exmoor destination.