Map & Elevation
About this Route
This short out-and-back from Dunkery Gate is the most straightforward way to claim Dunkery Beacon, Exmoor's highest point and Somerset's county top at 517 metres. The route gains just 125 metres over 1.3 kilometres of ascent, making it accessible to most walkers, though the exposed moorland can be deceptively bleak when the weather turns. The path is obvious throughout, initially climbing northwest across open heather moorland before swinging northeast for the final approach to the summit cairn. On clear days, the views extend across the Bristol Channel to Wales, with the patchwork of Exmoor's combes and ridges spread out below.
The return follows the same path back to Dunkery Gate, which sits at around 385 metres, meaning you've already done much of the climbing before you even leave the car. This is both a blessing and a curse: the walk is mercifully brief, but there's little shelter from the wind that often rakes across this ridge. The heather and bilberry moorland is lovely in late summer, and the sense of space is genuine, but don't mistake the modest statistics for a gentle stroll—Exmoor's weather can make any exposed route memorable for the wrong reasons.
The summit cairn is modest, the elevation unremarkable by national standards, yet on a clear day Dunkery offers something rarer than height: a proper sense of where you stand in the landscape.
TrailTrack
Route Waypoints
Small National Trust car park at 385 metres. The path leaves northwest from the parking area, immediately heading uphill across open moorland. No facilities here, so come prepared.
The gradient eases briefly around 410 metres as the path begins to curve more northeastward. The broad ridge ahead becomes visible, with the summit cairn still some way off.
Path climbs more steadily again across heather moorland at around 470 metres. The final approach to the summit begins to reveal itself, with the terrain opening out significantly.
Stone cairn and memorial at 517 metres, Somerset's county top and Exmoor's highest point. Views extend to Wales on clear days. This is the turnaround point for the out-and-back route.
Retrace your steps southeast, then south back to the car park. The descent is gentle but can be slippery after rain, particularly on the steeper sections near the start.
Essential Tips
This ridge is completely exposed to wind and weather. What looks like a short summer stroll can turn grim quickly when cloud or rain sweeps in. Carry waterproofs even if the forecast looks benign, and be prepared to turn back if visibility drops—navigation is straightforward in clear conditions but less so in mist.
Dunkery Gate car park is small and fills quickly on weekends and during school holidays. Arrive early or consider midweek visits. The car park is managed by the National Trust; charges apply for non-members.
The path is well-worn and generally good underfoot, but sections can be boggy after prolonged rain, particularly in the mid-slope areas. The heather either side of the path conceals uneven ground, so stick to the main tread.
Coverage is patchy to non-existent across much of the route. Download your route and don't rely on your phone for navigation or emergency contact once you're away from the car park.