A Lynmouth Walk: Barna Barrow to Lynmouth Lighthouse
Not an obvious choice for a circular walk, but the scenery is stunning and well worth the effort.
- Barna Barrow
- Lynmouth
- The Blue Ball Inn
- Barna Barrow
- 5.5 miles (8.8 km)
- Hard (Steep in places)
We definitely recommend taking a walking map with you for this walk, at least until you get onto the coastal path, back to Lynmouth.
The walk starts off slightly inland of the coastal path across Kipscombe Hill then meets up with the South West Coast Path midway towards the County border on North Devon & West Somerset.
Walking West brings you through the densely wooded South West Coast Path through the beautiful National Trust Glenthorne Cliffs. This is a cool shady walk, perfect for a hot Spring or Summer day. It has an eerie yet tranquil feel to it. The fallen trees play nurse to a plethora of wildlife and greenery – just beautiful.
The path then descends through Kipscombe to Foreland Point. Take a detour to the Lynmouth Lighthouse. Although you can’t access the lighthouse or the keepers cottage joining it, you can take in the beautiful panoramic views.
"Lynmouth Foreland Lighthouse was built by Trinity House in 1900 as a further aid to navigation in the Bristol Channel. The round white tower is 15 metres in height, set on the extremity of the headland two miles E.N.E. of Lynmouth. The optic is a 1st Order dioptric apparatus, eight panels in two groups of four, revolving on a motor driven mercury float pedestal. Lynmouth Foreland Lighthouse was automated in 1994 and is now monitored and controlled from Trinity House’s Planning Centre in Harwich, Essex."
Once ascended you can follow the signs back to Barna Barrow or continue to Countisbury for a pint at the Blue Ball Inn. There’s a great chance of seeing the iconic Exmoor Ponies at the top of Foreland Point between Barna Barrow.