Visit Mid Devon / Walking routes / Winsford Hill to Tarr Steps
Walking

Winsford Hill to Tarr Steps

Medium (3-6 miles)
family-friendly Family Friendly
dog-friendly Dog Friendly
Winsford Hill to Tarr Steps

Approximate Time: 1½hrs

Distance: 3.6 miles/5.8km

Type of Walk: The walk is moderate, crossing open moorland, wooded slopes, and riverside paths, with sections that can be boggy, uneven, or stony depending on recent weather. Expect steeper descents toward the river, exposed moorland stretches, livestock‑grazed areas, and rocky footing around Tarr Steps.

Parking:

Winsford Hill is on the B3223 midway between Dulverton and Exford. The road through Dulverton is unsuitable for large coaches and the easiest approach is from the North. The coach parking spot is a lay-by at the top of Winsford Hill adjacent to the Triangulation Pillar at Grid Reference 877343.  Minibus parking is on the left 100 metres further on. The second parking spot is at the main Tarr Steps car part at Grid Reference 874323. There are toilet facilities at the Tarr Steps car park.

Note: if you wish to return by foot, retrace the same route.  If you are only walking one way, your transport should drive to meet you at the main car park at Tarr Steps.

Directions:

  1. Commence your walk from the Triangulation Pillar (see Grid Reference above).
  2. Walk due west to the lay-by and cross the road to a small track on the opposite side. Note: visibility is good but children will need careful management.
  3. Walk along the track for about 100m until it reaches the main bridleway.
  4. Turn right and follow the bridleway northwest for about 1km until a 'crossroads' of bridleways is reached.
  5. Turn left and follow the bridleway due west for about 3/4 km. The bridleway leaves the moorland and follows a lane, passes through a field and down a track, past Great Bradley and down to Oakbeer Wood. The track crosses the tributary on a brick bridge and then recrosses over a wooden bridge.
  6. From here, follow the path downstream alongside the river all the way to Tarr Steps (approximately 2.5km). The car park is 200m up the hill, westwards.

 

 

Winsford Hill to Tarr Steps

Bampton & The Exmoor Fringe
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Whichever route you choose, please observe The Countryside Code.  Please park your car with consideration to residents and other road users and, most important of all, enjoy yourself and our lovely Mid Devon countryside.

The Countryside Code:

  • Respect other people and enjoy the outdoors and the communities you visit.
  • Leave gates and property as you find them.
  • Leave no trace of your visit and take your litter home.
  • Keep dogs under effective control.
  • Plan ahead and be prepared and use pathways unless wider accesses are available.
  • Follow advice and local signage.
  • For the full Countryside Code, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-countryside-code/the-countryside-code

Mid Devon District Council at Phoenix House, Phoenix Lane, Tiverton, EX16 6PP (“we”, “us” or “our”) operate the website www.visitmiddevon.co.uk (our “Website“).

We provide information for users of the Website (“you” or “your“), including written, diagrammatic and photographic material, in relation to walking and cycling routes in Devon (the “Routes“). Whilst every effort is taken to ensure that the Routes are correct and accurate, we do not accept any responsibility for errors, omissions or other inaccuracies.

Details of the Routes may change for a number of reasons including, but not limited to, changes in the landscape, variances of rights of way, adverse weather conditions or livestock. We do not guarantee to monitor these and it is your responsibility to make appropriate enquiries to determine whether any such situations have affected the Routes and it is your responsibility to check for the suitability of a Route and for the existence of any hazards.

You are responsible for your own safety and wellbeing whilst using the Routes – it is essential that you are properly equipped and that you are using the Routes in conjunction with a map and compass. We may give an indication of the nature and difficulty of the Routes, however it remains entirely your responsibility to ensure that they are suitable and that you are fit and capable enough to undertake them.  Please remember that mountain biking is a potentially hazardous activity carrying a significant risk. It should only be undertaken with a full understanding of all inherent risks. The difficulty levels provided are only guides and must always be used in conjunction with the exercise of your own experience, intuition and careful judgment.

We will not be liable in any way for any direct, indirect, punitive or consequential damages arising out of, or in any way in connection with, the use of the Routes or participation in related activities. If you choose to rely on the Routes or participate in such activities, including walking the Routes, you do so entirely at your own risk.

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