Dunkery Beacon from Horner

Starting from the peaceful village of Horner, this is one of Exmoor’s finest “journey walks”, beginning in deep, mossy woodland and finishing on the wide, open roof of the moor.

The route follows the East Water through Horner Wood, one of the largest stretches of ancient oak woodland in England. Here the air feels cooler, the light softer, and the ground underfoot often damp and leaf-strewn. It’s a slow, steady start, perfect for warming up before the climb begins.

As you leave the woodland behind, the landscape opens dramatically. The trees thin, the sky expands, and you begin the steady ascent onto Exmoor’s high ground. This is where the character of the walk changes completely, from enclosed and sheltered to exposed and wild.

The final push to Dunkery Beacon is broad and steady rather than steep, but it can feel demanding, especially in wind. At 519 metres, it’s the highest point on Exmoor, and on a clear day the reward is immense, views stretching across the Bristol Channel, into Wales, and deep across the rolling spine of the moor.

This is a walk of contrasts, woodland to open moor, quiet valley to expansive skyline, and one that feels far bigger than its distance suggests.