This week I was due to be walking in the Brecon Beacons, but the Welsh Governments Covid 19 restrictions mean I am unable to travel to the Principality. A quick search for a pitch has resulted in my heading back to Minehead Caravan and Motorhome Club site for a week’s walking on Exmoor.
I usually favour the smaller CL’s, but as I am travelling on my own and likely to be out walking for most of the day this site is perfect as an autumnal destination. I am away with Crosby whilst Lynnie stays home with Dexter; sadly the poor old fellow is struggling on his legs and getting in and out of the caravan or walking more than a mile is now beyond him.
It doesn’t take me long to get pitched and erect the awning, the weather forecast this week is wet and the small porch awning is a must for drying Crosby off after our walks. Usually after arriving at this site I head off for a walk towards the harbour, but today I decide on a different route.
Leaving the site I turn left and walk up the hill on the pavement besides the A39 until I reach a minor road on my left at Lower Hopcott. This lane heads steadily uphill, passing Higher Hopcott to reach a car park with an information board about the network of paths in the Dunster Forest.
I take a path to the right of the information board, after a few yards I ignore a track on the right way-marked to Periton Cross and stay on the track as it steadily ascends the hill. At the next junction of paths I ago straight on ignoring paths to the left and right. The path now heads around the top of the valley in Staunton Plantation. This is a cracking spot the ancient beech trees are magnificent.
I stay with the track, ignoring a bridleway on the left and carry on for a few hundred yards to reach a crossing of tracks. Here I turn left to follow a Bridleway way-marked to Dunster.
Since leaving Lower Hopcott I have been following the route of the Macmillan Way West, this is part of the 102 mile section of this trail going between Castle Cary in Somerset and Barnstaple in Devon. It is known as the Macmillan Way as it was set up to raise funds for the Macmillan Cancer Trust.
The broad track I am on reaches Holes Corner with a junction of tracks. I continue straight on still on the Macmillan Way with fine views along the coast in front of me.
At a fork in the track I keep left and head towards trees in front of me.
On reaching the trees I turn left leaving the Macmillan Way to follow a downhill path to a junction of paths. Here I turn left and follow the path as it continues to descend.
I stay on this path, ignoring footpaths to the left and right until I reach a crossing of paths, I now go right towards Alcombe.
The track continues downhill to reach a junction with another track. I turn right still heading for Alcombe.
On reaching the village I continue through on Manor Road to reach the Britannia Inn where I turn left into Church Street.
At a junction with the main A39 I go left and then at the mini roundabout take Hopcott Road to return to the caravan site. My walk has covered 4.5 miles and has been a good stretch of the legs after driving and pitching up.
To follow my walk, you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer Map OL9 – Exmoor
You can view this 4.5 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here (Subscription to OS Maps Required)
26th October 2020
© Two Dogs and an Awning (2020)