Walking on Exmoor

From a short stroll to an all-day epic, our range of Exmoor's top walks help you to explore the best of Exmoor National Park - an ideal place to explore the outdoors on foot. With over 1000km of footpaths and bridleways there are long and short walks on Exmoor for everyone.

For each of our promoted walks you will find a digital map link to OS Maps - it's free but you can get enhanced features by subscribing. Hard copy maps can be purchased from our online shop or National Park Centres

mother and child walking

Keep an eye on our Path News page for any key route updates.

  • Exmoor Strolls
    Exmoor Strolls - discover our more accessible short, step and stile free, Exmoor Walks.
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  • Exmoor Explorers
    Our Exmoor Explorer walks are a series of 10 shorter walks that showcase the best landscapes, wildlife and history that Exmoor has to offer.
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  • Exmoor Classics
    Exmoor Classics - our top longer Exmoor Walks
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  • Long Distance Routes
    Some of the UK's finest long distance routes pass through Exmoor National Park.
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  • Walking Map
    A handy Google map with a wide range of Exmoor walks.
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  • Out and About Essentials
    Useful information to help you enjoy Exmoor safely and responsibly.
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  • Path News
    Latest news on Exmoor's paths
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  • Miles without Stiles
    Miles without Stiles grades explained: Routes for All, Many and Some.
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  • Dark Sky Discovery Trail
    An easy walk experiencing some of the darkest skies in the country.
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  • Volunteer Led Guided Walks
    Discover the history and natural beauty of Exmoor on one of our series of guided walks, expertly-led by volunteers.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Walking on Exmoor

With over 1,000km of paths and trails to explore across Exmoor (covering parts of both Devon and Somerset) and a diverse landscape of moorland, woodland, coastal vistas, farmland and picturesque villages everyone will have their favourite.

To help guide you on your way, we have published some of our favourite routes as our 'Top Walks' on Exmoor, within three categories

  1. Exmoor Strolls - our most accessible step and stile free walks, with many suitable for wheelchairs and buggies, and all graded using the Miles without Stiles grading and we have videos showing the route .
  2. Exmoor Explorers - our favourite shorter walks on Exmoor- taking from less than an hour to no more than 2-3 hours they are perfect for all the family to explore the best of Exmoor.
  3. Exmoor Classics - Our favourite longer walks, with more demanding terrain and / or navigation these are perfect for those wanting to get off the beaten track and really discover more of the National Park,

While Exmoor is protected as a National Park it is not a 'state owned' area of land. However there is an extensive network of Public Footpaths and bridleways criss-crossing the landscape in addition to Open Access Land allowing you freedom to explore.

At all times please respect wildlife, livestock, local communities and any temporary restrictions that may be in place.

Many of Exmoor's promoted walks are circular, making them easy to follow and convenient for visitors. Both short and long circular routes are available across the National Park. For our promoted routes any that aren't circular are described as 'out and back' walks meaning you will always start / finish at the same place.

Exmoor's terrain is part of its beauty.  Unfortunately not all walks are fully accessible to those with limited mobility. The Exmoor Strolls collection includes short, step and stile-free routes designed to be accessible for a wide range of people. Many are suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs, mobility scooters and visitors looking for a gentle introduction to Exmoor. The Exmoor Explorer series is particularly popular with families and casual walkers, while our Exmoor Classics are more demanding but still suitable for the majority of walkers to enjoy.

We strongly recommend carrying a map.
All of our promoted 'top walks'  on Exmoor have digital route guides available via the Ordnance Survey app as well as printed route guides to purchase online or via our Exmoor National Park Centres with mapping.
Our Strolls guide includes simple maps with additional information marking areas of rough / uneven ground, narrow widths and other info that may be useful if you're using a mobility scooter. The Explorer Walks are all designed to be easy to follow using way marking and a simple arial view photo. Our Classic walks include Ordnance Survey mapping, helping you to follow routes confidently and safely.

Exmoor can be enjoyed year-round. Spring brings wildflowers and birdsong, summer offers long daylight hours, autumn showcases spectacular colours in the woodlands, and winter often provides dramatic landscapes and some of the clearest views. Every season offers a different walking experience.

You can find our favourite walks and links to route guides, digital maps and videos via these walking pages.
Printed maps and guidebooks are also available from our online shop or from Exmoor National Park Centres where our friendly team of Exmoor experts are on hand to provide bespoke advice and information.