Quantocks Discovery, 7 miles

Directions

1. From the car park head up through the village in the direction of St George’s Church, following Church Lane to its end and bear left where it meets Trendle Lane. You’ll be heading back to this point on the return journey.
2. Turn LEFT here, following Trendle Lane towards the Village Shop.
3. Turn RIGHT onto Hill Lane in front of the Village Shop. It shows as a No Through Road. Continue to the gate where a NT sign announces Bicknoller Hill.
4. The steady ascent through Bicknoller Combe soon leaves its woody start before opening out to offer glimpses above of the combe tops on either side.
5. Your goal is the level ground of the Quantocks ridge. Numerous paths present a choice, but as long as you’re continuing to the ridge you’re heading the right way!
6. At the top you bear North, continuing to Bicknoller Post, where multiple paths connect. These posts are a feature of the Quantocks and Exmoor, and often the only markers in the more remote spots.
7. Check the map above carefully to see that as you approach Bicknoller Post you need to bear right a little as you walk up to it and past it, to pick up a downhill path that starts to then curve around to the left, down into Sheppard’s Combe. This is a popular mountain bike path, so look for clues.
8. As the path descends into the combe you’ll likely see signs of deer activity. As you drop into Lady’s Edge and the ground starts to level out, pools of mud are visible, evidence of a bathing spot for deer.
9. There are no signposts down in these woods so you need to use the map to eliminate certain paths as you identify which one is Somerton Combe. It’s well walked, whereas some of the other paths that return eventually to the ridge are a little less trafficked.
10. Whichever route takes you back uphill, you’ll arrive back on the Macmillan Way, marking the Quantock ridgeline.
11. You’ll bear RIGHT at the top as you aim for the path to take you down Paradise Combe. A few paths run in parallel at the top, and you need the upper most one, a more grassy option compared to the stony Macmillan Way, eventually heading down hill into an area of ferns.
12. At OS Grid Ref 131 393 you join Paradise Combe, which takes you off the Quantock Hill as it heads down steeply through a valley with trees/woods to the right hand side and a hillside to your left.
13. Eventually, go through a gate near a house on the left before picking up signs for the Quantocks Greenway, heading right on now level ground back towards Bicknoller, and onto Trendle Lane. Rehydrate at The Bicknoller with a pint of Palmers. 

Notes

When I first visited the Quantocks years ago I was a little frustrated by the lack of signposts.

Years later I now appreciate that there’s very little human-made furniture to blight the natural beauty of these hills. If you have a rough sense of direction and can recognise uphill from downhill, it’s unlikely you’ll get lost on the Quantocks.

There are plenty of paths to choose from, and you’ll likely find people to help if you’re unsure. But my trusty OS Maps app has never let me down!

If you’re interested in seeing red deer, then this is a good location and a good route to take. October is the peak of the deer rut season, and you’re sure to hear the roar of a stag if you’re wandering this route as the light fades.

Not for the faint hearted!

The best pub walks are meant to be shared.

If you’ve followed this route, found a better path, got lost, uncovered a standout pint somewhere else, or simply have a story to tell, I’d be delighted to hear from you.

This site is as much about shared discoveries as it is about the walks themselves.