⛵ (Rare Trip) Hiking the Heritage Coastline of Exmoor National Park

################# **This hike is now FULL.** **We’ve created a list of [FAQs](https://drive.google.com/file/d/12gIZWTLfA3zQsx1fb0lpv1zOWP2vC5tq/view?usp=drive_link) to help answer your questions.** ################# Join us this weekend to discover Exmoor National Park! Exmoor is certainly one of England’s best kept secrets, as holidaymakers flock in thousands past it to Cornwall’s sandy beaches. “Why did no one tell me how beautiful it is?” is the comment overheard most often after visiting Exmoor. Celebrated for its beautiful coastline, towering cliffs, free-roaming native Exmoor ponies, starry nights of exceptional quality (Exmoor is Europe’s very first International Dark Sky Reserve) and picturesque villages, Exmoor is a joy to explore – especially in summer! Departing from London early on Saturday morning, we'll head to the idyllic coastal hamlet of Bossington, with its traditional thatched cottages. From there, we'll pick up the South West Coast Path and climb gradually to Bossington Hill, with spectacular views over the Exmoor coastline, Porlock Bay and the Welsh Coast – on a clear day you can see the “inaccessible” Gower Peninsula just across the Bristol Channel. After Bossington Hill, the South West Coast Path splits, giving a walker two options. We'll take the “rugged” cliff-top route, which runs closer to the coast and offers more dramatic views, but also comes with many steep climbs and descents into deep valleys. The path will then lead us through pleasant woodlands to Minehead harbour, with its mile-long sandy beach. After the hike, we'll relax and enjoy a delicious dinner in Minehead before driving to our hotel. On Sunday, right after breakfast, we'll head to County Gate where, as the name suggests, the counties of Devon and Somerset meet. Today's walk will take us along the dramatic Exmoor coastline to the pretty twin villages of Lynton and Lynmouth, known as “Little Switzerland” and elegantly connected by the water-powered Cliff Railway. The highlight of the day is the extraordinary U-shaped Valley of Rocks, famous for its spectacular rock formations and its herd of friendly feral goats. **ITINERARY** **Saturday:** **07:45** Meet outside Hotel Novotel London West, 1 Shortlands, W6 8DR (a five-minute walk from Hammersmith Station) **08:00** Sharp departure **12:30-18:00** Hike along the coast from Bossington Beach to Minehead, through woodland and steep cliff tops (difficulty: [Moderate](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BMjvqhAAdSeCdyzLPHs0z04_e2TiKdci/view?usp=sharing), distance: 13km, ascent: 470m) **18:00-19:30** Dinner at the historic [Old Ship Aground](https://maps.app.goo.gl/tbtTWUeurUyfaExz6) pub with picturesque Minehead harbour views **19:30** Departure **20:45** Check-in at Holiday Inn Express Exeter East hotel and free time **Sunday:** **07:00** Breakfast (included) **08:00** Departure **09:30­-14:30** Hike from County Gate to the Valley of Rocks (difficulty: [Moderate](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BMjvqhAAdSeCdyzLPHs0z04_e2TiKdci/view?usp=sharing), distance: 14km, ascent: 620m) **14:30-16:00** Lunch in the picturesque village of Lynton **16:00** Departure **20:45** London, Hammersmith **TRANSPORT** As on most of our trips, we'll travel in a comfortable 16-seater minibus. **LUGGAGE** You can bring two small bags with you: one cabin size personal item bag (up to 10kg) and one smaller hiking backpack to fit under the seat. During the hike, you can leave your luggage in the minibus. **BOOKING** To keep ticket prices down and avoid PayPal/Meetup fees (£22 extra per ticket), we kindly ask for payment by bank transfer. Please include your Meetup name and the trip as the payment reference (e.g. John Exmoor). As places are limited, we can hold your place for 24 hours. Business Account Name: London Social Hiking Limited Sort Code: 20-17-20 Account Number: 63116514 We'll let you know by changing your status to “Paid” as soon as the payment is cleared. You can check your status next to your name in the [att