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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OS Maps

Explorer (1:25,000), No. OL9 Exmoor
Landranger (1:50,000), No. 180 Barnstaple and Ilfracombe

For More Information

Travel Devon

www.travelinesw.com

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.

Photo looking down the river to Lynmouth town
Lynmouth by Richard Johns

You can explore more in this area

Photo of the Two Moors Way path across moorland with a granite way marker in the foreground
100miles/
160kms

Two Moors Way (Devon’s Coast to Co..

Running for just over 100 miles/160km between Ivybridge in the south and Lynmouth in the north, this famous path links
Photo of the top of a waymarking post for the Coast Path and Tarka Trail
163miles/
261kms

Tarka Trail walking route

Inspired by Henry Williamson’s much loved novel ‘Tarka the Otter’ which was based on real places, this 163 miles/261kms recreation