Here are three of our favourite short walks around Lynton, Lynmouth and Lynbridge …
The Early Bird: An early morning stroll from Lynton
> Time – 60 minutes
> Mainly a flat walk with 2 short uphill inclines.
Starting at St. Mary’s Church in Lynton, cross over the road and take the narrow pathway known as Pigs Lane down to Queen Street and the old village. At the end of Queen Street turn right into Lydiate Lane following the road to the top of the village turning sharp left into Station Hill.
Just where the road turns sharp left, there is a small public garden, the view from the bench gives you a wonderful glimpse towards the sea of the rock formations at the Valley of Rocks. 100 yards up Station Hill turn left into Normans Cleave and proceed downhill into Alford Terrace. Take in the views of Lynmouth bay, and across to Wales and see sleepy Lynton from above. At the bottom of the terrace cross straight into the Lynway and enjoy the peaceful walk through the woods to Lynbridge. The only sounds you will hear will be the early morning bird songs.
Stop by the Bridge Inn, turn right and walk through to the little bridge where often you will see dippers on the rocks. Retrace your steps back past the Inn, bear right and follow the road towards Lynton and Lynmouth. Follow the path with the sounds of the tumbling waters of the West Lyn River all the way to the road junction where the pathway ends.
Turn left and walk up Castle Hill to St Mary’s Church.
The Zig-Zag Walk: Lynton to Lynmouth or vice versa
> Time – 20 minutes starting in Lynton
> All downhill very steep, or reversing the walk from Lynmouth 35 minutes, all uphill very steep.
Starting at St Mary’s Church in Lynton proceed down North Walk Hill to the start of the historic Westerway – the old smugglers’ route, clearly signposted to Lynmouth after the first hotel on the right. This steep descent offers three exits into Lynmouth, each presenting numerous opportunities to enjoy the stunning views of Lynmouth Bay and across to Wales.
Your options are: bear left at the first pathway junction sign posted ‘Coastal path’ to continue all the way down the Westerway, traversing the famous Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway, to the harbour near the Cliff Railway: or continue straight on at the first pathway junction taking the steep narrow roadway named Clooneavin Path, leading into Lynmouth by the bridge over the river; or after following the Westerway by bearing left at the first pathway junction take a right at the next pathway junction and then immediately left onto Mars Hill Way past the Rising Sun Hotel arriving in Lynmouth near the harbour.
Should you choose not to return to your starting point on foot via the 3 paths available, take the Cliff railway in season, a local bus, or taxi.
Please take care when walking on or crossing roads.
River, Sea & gardens: an afternoon stroll in Lynmouth
> Time 50 minutes
> Mainly a flat walk with a short incline at the start.
Starting from the iconic Rhenish Tower in Lynmouth cross over the road and take the pathway alongside the Rising Sun Hotel called Mars Hill Way bearing left at the top of the path heading inland to Lynmouth Hill. Look down on the views of Lynmouth Harbour and the river across the town.
At the end of the path turn left down to Lynmouth crossing the West Lyn River that runs down from the Glen Lyn Gorge on your right and follow on to the next bridge. At the bridge cross the road and turn right onto the footpath alongside the car park and follow the East Lyn River passing by the white foot bridge (without crossing) until you come to the tranquil memorial garden restored from the little hamlet of Middleham lost in the flood of 1952.
At the end of the gardens cross over the wooden bridge and return towards the sea along the east bank of the river, this time crossing over the white footbridge back to the foot path to the road bridge. Turn right crossing the river again and cross the road to enter the Manor Green taking the driveway to the right that leads to the sea past the back of the Manor House.
As you approach the sea front turn left and follow the path alongside the sea through the Manor Green to the Rock House Hotel and the footbridge back across the river to the Rhenish Tower.
