
Simonsbath to Cow Castle
If you want to see the very essence of Exmoor then try this delightful walk as it gently meanders along the River Barle between Simonsbath, Landacre and eventually Dulverton, towards Exebridge.

- Simonsbath
- Simonsbath Car Park
- Exmoor Forest Inn, Simonsbath
- Simonsbath Car Park
- 4.8 miles (7.7 km)
- Easy to Medium
This is a short walk, not circular but ideal for a few hours and it’s not a rollercoaster of steep climbs or sheer drops. It’s a small segment of the much longer Two Moors Way that stretches some 102 miles from Ivybridge in South Devon, through Dartmoor to Exmoor, to Lynmouth.
Park up in car park in Simonsbath, just after the Exmoor Forest Inn as you drive from Lynmouth. There are public toilets here, so a great opportunity for a comfort break. Exit the Car Park and head towards the inn, cross the road where you see the signs for Bridleway to Wheal Eliza and Cow Castle.
This wooded area is called Birchcleave Wood. This is the start of the walk, and it’s the same path all the way to Cow Castle and beyond.
The entire River Barle valley is teeming with life, bursting with nature and birdsong. Take in the wonderful country smells and the soothing sounds of the river as it tumbles and turns on its endless journey.