Beacon Batch summit trig point – View of Cheddar Gorge loop from Axbridge
Beacon Batch summit trig point – View of Cheddar Gorge loop from Axbridge
5.0
(3)
6
hikers
Beacon Batch summit trig point – View of Cheddar Gorge loop from Axbridge
07:21
26.6km
450m
Hiking
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: July 9, 2026
Tips
Temporary access restrictions
Includes segments with temporary access restrictions.
After 22.9 km for 119 m
Customers only
Waypoints
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
9.94 km
Rowberrow Warren
Highlight • Trail
Tip by
10.8 km
Archaeological Site
Archaeological Site
12.9 km
WWII bombing decoy complex
Archaeological Site
13.4 km
Beacon Batch summit trig point
Highlight • Viewpoint
Hills at over 400 ha.
Black Down, like most heathlands, is formed through a combination of factors– soil type, rainfall and human activity. The underlying Old Red Sandstone rock together with high rainfall created a waterlogged and acidic soil. The removal of tree cover by our Bronze Age ancestors 2,000 years ago helped to make sure that the soil stayed damp and acid. Only certain plants can survive in this type of ground. The key species include heather or ling, bell heather, bilberry, purple moor grass and European gorse, along with mosses and lichens.
Now the bracken is managed by harvesting and grazing by cattle and wild ponies to allow the heathers and grasses to flourish again. Black Down supports a wide variety of birds, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates.
Tip by
16.2 km
Blackmoor Nature Reserve
Highlight • Natural
reserve has its own unique character and wildlife. All of the nature reserves are Sites of Special Scientific Interest which provide protection to the plants and animals found there.
The industrial history of the site is part of what makes it so special. Blackmoor was mined for lead as far back as Roman times, with more recent mining by the Victorians leaving the buddle pits (circular washing pits to separate lead ore), dams and settling beds that can still be seen today. The whole of the reserve is scheduled as an Ancient Monument to protect the Victorian lead workings.
The high concentration of lead in the soil prevents most plants from growing, so the flora of the site is unusual, with only specially-adapted plants able to survive. A significant area of reserve is part of the Charterhouse lead works Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Please clean up after your dog as to not damage the rare habitats at this special nature reserve.
Tip by
16.9 km
Velvet Bottom Nature Reserve
Highlight • Natural
This nature reserve lies on the floor of a dry river valley and is long and narrow in shape. Most of the reserve can be seen from the main path. The 42-acre (17 ha) reserve is mostly rough grassland with small areas of woodland and scrub. The reserve has a long history of lead mining and there is still much evidence to be found of the site’s industrial heritage. Velvet Bottom has been managed by Somerset Wildlife Trust since 1975 and was purchased from the former owners, Bristol Water, in 1998.
Please clean up after your dog on sites on the Mendip Hills AONB to help protect the wildlife and stop grasslands becoming polluted.
Tip by
17.7 km
Velvet Bottom Nature Reserve
Nature Reserve
19.0 km
Black Rock Limestone Outcrop
Highlight • Natural
Tip by
20.2 km
View of Cheddar Gorge
Highlight • Natural Monument
The gorge is also home to sprawling cave systems and a series of show caves. It's here that the remains of Britain's oldest complete skeleton were found, dating back 9,000 years and appropriately named, 'the Cheddar Man'.
There is also a herd of feral goats in the gorge, which can often be seen halfway up the cliffs or on the top of the eastern cliff, munching plants. Footpaths cover both clifftops and it's easy to explore the area in depth. The village of Cheddar lies at the southern end and has plenty of cafes, restaurants and attractions.
Parking can be a challenge in high season and on bank holidays, not because there's not much, but because it's such a popular place. Drive up the gorge to find more parking outside of the village.
Tip by
22.6 km
Cox's Mill Pond
Lake
26.6 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
12.4 km
7.18 km
2.75 km
2.42 km
1.43 km
358 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
5.83 km
5.75 km
5.45 km
3.59 km
3.52 km
2.45 km
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Elevation
Highest point (320 m)
Lowest point (10 m)
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Weather
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Saturday 11 July
31°C
16°C
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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