Dog Walks: Valley of the Rocks and Lynton

 

Dog Walks: Valley of the Rocks and Lynton Circular Route

Start/Finish point: Valley of the Rocks Car Park.

Directions to: Valley of the Rocks Car Park and Lynton:

Parking: Valley of the Rocks Car Parks, pay and display required most months of year – see photo.

Public Conveniences: In between two Valley of the Rocks Car Parks located on left side of road almost opposite Cricket Pitch.

Valley of the Rocks and Lyton is a really lovely route, covering a wooded area walk to start with which brings you into Lynton where you can visit an interesting and charming selection of shops, tea rooms and pubs, there is a Tourist  Information Centre too.  But there is also the famous Lynton Lynmouth Cliff Railway, this can be access from Lynton or Lynmouth and is well worth a ride.  More Information can be found here:  http://www.cliffrailwaylynton.co.uk/                                                                                                              

So you can interrupt your walk here at the halfway point to refresh in one of the many options in either Lynton or Lynmouth.  You can then rejoin your route and return back along the cliff path admiring its spectacular views on a clear day, returning back to the Valley of the Rocks Car Park.

Distance:  Approximately 2.3 Miles

Terrain: Earth paths, gravel paths, grass tracks, pavements, tarmac tracks, and few stoney areas.

Description of Suitability and Ability:  There are some moderate ascents and descents.  The initial section through the wood and grass area would not be suitable for wheelchairs, or pushchairs.  However you could take the route to and from Lynton/Lynmouth along the Cliff Path from the Valley of the Rocks which is the return route as described below.  This path is a smooth tarmac style surface.  However please be aware that there are a couple of steep ascents and descents on narrow cliff paths, so control is essential for safety.

Every time I have walked this route there have been roaming free in the Valley of the Rocks, including ponies, cattle and sheep, and Mountain Goats, so please keep your dogs well under control.

*Click on the images below to enlarge*

Dog Walks: Valley of the Rocks and Lynton Route:

• Standing in the Lower Car Park Valley of the Rocks Car Park, with your back to the Parking Ticket Machine and facing the road, walk to the edge of the road and turn left and head up the road, the cricket pitch is on the left.

 

• After a short distance on the right hand side of the road, and just below the toilet block, you will see a footpath marker signing Public Footpath Lynton ¾ mile, you will be crossing diagonally to the right along behind the toilet block and upper Valley of the Rocks Car Park area.

 

• Continue along this path on a steady incline until reach a kissing gate.  Continue through the kissing gate following the grass track on the other side. 

 

• Eventually the grass track enters the wooded area and the track turns to a mix of earth and gravel, there is a high banked wall on your left side, continue on and up following the path.

 

• You will pass a large tree growing out a wall on your left, there are couple of tracks and a fork to the left or right, some of which have path markers on them, Do Not turn off the path, just keep continuing straight ahead, you will continue straight on skirt around the upper edge of the cemetery which can be seen through the trees on your left.  The track does have a few inclines, twist, turns and some level areas.

 

• Eventually the track will terminate when it reaches a tarmac lane almost opposite a garage type building, here you turn sharp left, and follow the lane down the hill to a junction on a corner. 

 

This road can be quite busy so take care.  Cross to the pavement on the other side, it is only a short stretch of pavement then drops you down a few steps.  Then you will need to go carefully along the edge of road until you reach the next pavement.  At the bottom of the steps the road bears around to the left into Cross Mead, but you do not turn here, you continue straight on.

• You will continue straight on passing various roads off to you left (Park Street etc, and Lydiate Lane sign on right),  past Croft House Guest House.  (The road to the left opposite Croft House Guest, Cross Street, leads you down to the Tourist Information Centre if you want to visit, it’s the Tudor style sandstone building at the end of the road).  Follow down the road, this then drops down a steady slope around a left hand bend, looking over to your right you will see the Crown Hotel.

 

• Follow the road straight but where the road bears off to the right, you continue straight ahead into the pedestrian area and shops etc. 

 

• Walk to the top of this path which brings you out opposite the Valley of the Rocks Hotel.  Here you can see diagonally across to your right is the turning into North Walk Hill, leading to North Walk.  (Please note: from here you can enjoy some of Lyntons Attractions, see Note 1 at bottom of page.)

 

• Follow North Walk Hill Road down the hill, there are various turnings into residences, the road eventually levels out, keep walking straight ahead.  (Please note: from here you can enjoy some of Lynmouths attractions, see note 2 at bottom of page.)

 

• Keep following the road along past the North Cliff Hotel , over the railway bridge, the road then forks, you take the left fork keeping the Seawood Hotel on your left, past the North Walk House Hotel, and past Choughs Nest Hotel and Restaurant, keep following the tarmac road ahead.

 

• The road then forks again, (do not take the right as it one leads down to a residence), you continue on left fork staying on the tarmac road.  Just behind property the road narrows to a tarmac footpath through a wooded area, continue on and you will shortly reach a stone arch on the left side , then you will come to a pedestrian gate. 

 

• Proceed through the gate and follow along the cliff path admiring the views out to sea and across to Wales.  We have seen dolphins not far from the coast whilst walking this stretch, but you should also see the wild goats along this stretch, they are often seen on the most precarious of ledges!  

 

• Continue along the path, and eventually you come to a fork, here you can choose (I prefer the lower fork).  If you take the left fork you climb up and over the hill and rocky area to your left, and weave your way down the path on the other side, bringing you above the cricket pitch, and almost opposite the toilets and Upper Lynton Valley of the Rocks Car Park. 
• If you take the right fork, you are rewarded by some more great views, you swing around the lower side, and where the smooth tarmac path runs out, you turn left following up a stoney track back up to the car park.

 

• Valley of the Rocks and Lynton is a spectacular route, especially on a clear day.

 

Valley of the Rocks and Lynton Options:

• Valley of the Rocks and Lynton Option – Note 1:

When reaching the main road, andinstead of continuing on the designated route here straight away, you could turn left here instead.  Walk along the edge of the main road for a short distance until you see the turning for Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway on the right underneath the inscribed black iron archway.  Follow this path, enjoy a great viewing point, next on the right is the Cliff View Cafaurant, this is a lovely place to enjoy a snack, or you can continue next door and enjoy a trip on the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway.  You will need to rejoin the North Walk as described on the original route above.

Pictures of location:

http://www.cliffrailwaylynton.co.uk/facilities/

 

• Valley of the Rocks and Lynton Option – Note 2:

Where the North Walk Road Levels out, and just infront of a sign on the right for the Fairholme Hotel you can turn sharp right here off the designated route described above and follow the zig-zgging path down into Lynmouth and enjoy its attractions.  You will obviously need to rejoin the North Walk to continue on the desigated route as described above. 

Pictures of location: 

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Suggestions of places to eat and attractions in the area, although I have not tried them:

http://www.lynton-lynmouth-tourism.co.uk

http://www.lyntonandlynmouthscene.co.uk/

http://whatsonexmoor.co.uk/exmoor_lynton.htm

Dog Walks :Valley of the Rocks and Lynton, a really lovely day out.