5miles/
8kms

Lynmouth Devon’s Little Switzerland

About this route

This circular walk is based on the scenic little town of Lynmouth, on Devon’s Exmoor coast. A walk of contrasts, its outward leg follows the valley of the East Lyn River while the return, on the route of the Two Moors Way and Tarka Trail, is a high, airy walk along the valley top.

Getting Around

This walk starts and ends in Lynmouth, North Devon. There is parking in and around the village. Regular buses run to Lynmouth from Barnstaple, Ilfracombe, Taunton and Minehead.

Facilities

Lynmouth (all facilities), Watersmeet (café and toilets - available from April to October).

Terrain

One long steady climb of 100m / 330 feet and one short, sharp climb of 60m / 200 feet.

Accessibility
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Interesting information

The poets Robert Southey and Percy Bysshe Shelley were among the early visitors to Lynmouth, who praised the area calling it “England’s Little Switzerland”.

The deep and wooded valley (or ‘cleave’) is one of the largest remaining areas of semi-natural ancient woodland in the South West.

Look carefully when you reach Watersmeet and follow the river. You may see dippers on the stones or river bed.

When the path joins the Two Moors Way (look out for signposts with an MW symbol) you will climb to the top of a hill through some woodland. This is called Myrtleberry, an Iron Age settlement site.