Description:
This walk on the Mendip Hills visits the attractive nature reserve of Burrington Ham with its Iron Age Hillfort. From there it crosses the B3134 before climbing to the stunning Iron Age Hillfort at Dolebury Warren. After a stretch through a forestry plantation the route emerges onto Black Down and visits the Ordnance Survey Trig Pillar at Beacon Batch. It then returns to the starting point. Throughout the walk there are panoramic views.
Walk Grade:
Moderate
Distance:
8.3 miles / 13.3 km
Total Ascent:
1361 feet / 415 metres
Time:
3 hours 15 mins / 4 hours 15 mins.
Parking:
This walk starts from the Burrington Ham Nature Reserve car park beside the B3134 (Grid Ref: ST489581).
Walk Route:
Leaving the car park at its west side follow a footpath onto the access land of Burrington Ham. After 170 metres at a fork in the path go left (Grid Ref: ST488583). Follow this path to reach a rocky outcrop. Here take a path heading west towards the Iron Age hillfort settlement and then follow a well-worn pathway around the edge of the settlement to join a footpath heading steadily downhill towards Burrington (Grid Ref: ST482589).
On joining a minor road, Ham Link, (Grid Ref: ST479591) turn left and follow this lane for 250 metres to reach the B3134. Cross with care to take the lane opposite, Link Lane. This heads steadily uphill. Stay on the tarmac lane ignoring a footpath to the right and continue up through the trees. Where the path divides (Grid Ref: ST475590) keep to the left fork and continue on uphill. At a junction of paths turn right (Grid Ref: ST475587) following the path along the edge of woodland to reach a junction with the Limestone Link (Grid Ref: ST470584).
Turn right following the route of the Limestone Trail for 500 metres along a narrow track to a junction of paths (Grid Ref: ST466586). Here continue straight on heading west along a track with the steep bank of Dolebury Warren to the right. At a junction with Black Lane continue straight on re-joining the Limestone Link to reach a small car park at Dolebury Bottom (Grid Ref: ST446588).
Go through a gate on the right and head up the steep path towards Dolebury Warren. Continue on to reach the ramparts of the huge Iron Age fort on Dolebury Warren. Follow a well-worn route to head west across the Warren, now on the route of the Limestone Link path. After passing through a field of pasture reach a junction of tracks and turn right (Grid Ref: ST465586).
After 100 metres at a crossing of tracks continue straight on heading south to follow a track through a forestry plantation on Rowberrow Warren. After 1.1km at a junction of tracks turn left (Grid Ref: ST467575). Now follow a track onto the open access land of Black Down and keep heading east.
Keep on the track for 1.2 km to reach a junction of tracks (Grid Ref: ST479572), fork left and head towards the Ordnance Survey trig point at Beacon Batch on the horizon (Grid Ref: ST485573). From the trig point take a path heading south east and follow this for 600 metres to reach a gate on the edge of the access land (Grid Ref: ST490569).
Do not go through the gate, instead turn left to follow a path heading north along the edge of access land and then head down a track to reach Ellick House (Grid Ref: ST490580). Here join the B3134 and turn left to walk the short distance besides the road to the car park at the starting point.
Toilets:
There are no public toilets.
Refreshments:
There are no refreshment stops on this walk.
To download GPX and print map click “Learn More” below:
To follow this walk you will need Ordnance Survey Outdoor Explorer 141 – Chedder Gorge & Mendip Hills West
Additional Information:
A narrative of this walk with pictures, historical information and points of interest can be viewed on my associated Two Dogs and an Awning website.
© Walking Moonraker (2023)
All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it. To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk. It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.