The best walks and hikes in Quantock Hills Aonb

Yes, the Quantocks have many options for families. The area around Great Wood is a popular choice, offering gentle paths through serene woodland. These trails are generally well-maintained and suitable for a relaxed day out with children.

Absolutely. The Quantock Hills are very dog-friendly, with many trails passing through open heathland and woods where dogs can explore. Ramscombe Great Wood is a particularly popular spot for dog walkers. Please be mindful of wildlife, especially the red deer and Exmoor ponies, and keep your dog under control.

There are several dedicated car parks that serve as excellent starting points for hikes. Popular options include the car parks at Lydeard Hill, Triscombe Stone, and Great Wood. Many circular routes are designed to start and end at these locations, making logistics straightforward.

The main nearby town with public transport links is Taunton, which has a national rail station. From Taunton, you can take local bus services that run to villages on the edge of the Quantocks, such as Nether Stowey or Holford. From these villages, you can access the network of footpaths directly.

The Quantocks are ideal for circular walks. A great moderate option is the Triscombe, Great Hill & The Drove loop, which takes you through a classic Quantock mix of woodland and open heath. Most trails in the area are designed as loops, offering varied scenery without needing to retrace your steps.

The coastline is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Walks along this stretch, such as the Kilve and East Quantoxhead loop, are famous for geology. You can discover Jurassic fossils like ammonites in the rocks at Kilve Beach and see waterfalls cascading down the cliffs at St Audrie's Bay.

Yes, while the Quantocks are not mountainous, you can find challenging routes by linking several combes and ridges. The Bignolla Post, Black Hill & Holford loop is a longer trail with significant elevation gain that will test your endurance while providing fantastic views.

The highest point is Wills Neck, standing at 384 meters (1,261 feet). It offers panoramic views across Somerset to Exmoor and the Welsh coast. You can reach the summit via the popular Lydeard Hill, The Drove & Wills Neck loop, which is a rewarding moderate hike.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.6 stars. Hikers frequently praise the variety of scenery, from the deep, atmospheric combes to the wide-open heathland on the ridges. The chance to see wildlife like wild ponies and red deer is also a major highlight.

There are over 280 designated hiking routes to explore in the Quantock Hills AONB. These range from short, easy strolls of just a few kilometers to long-distance treks, with roughly half being easy and half being moderate, ensuring there's a trail for every ability level.

The combes are a defining feature of the Quantocks. They are deep, wooded valleys, often with a stream running through them. Places like Holford Combe and Hodder's Combe offer peaceful, sheltered walks with a magical atmosphere, contrasting with the exposed, windy ridges above.