Expeditions and Groups

There are plenty of ways to get to your accommodation as Exmoor has an excellent network of nearly 1000km of public rights of way, and another 340km of permitted paths (these are paths a landowner allows people to use).

Please take care to ensure your activity is allowed on your route; for instance, bicycles and horses are not allowed on public footpaths by right. More details are in our Out and About Essentials Section.

We have a map of the available routes to help with your planning, which is updated regularly. Please remember that paths are subject to change and closure (especially permitted ones), so always check our Path News Page for a list of legal closures, and obey any signage that you come across when on Exmoor. Storm and flood damage can also seriously impact our path network; often large sections can be closed for weeks after severe weather. A good option, if you use twitter, is to subscribe to our rights of way feed.

A National Park is for everyone; and seeing groups out and about genuinely pleases so many people. You can’t go too far wrong if you follow the countryside code, but there are some extra points to note when on Exmoor:

• Always shut the gate! It is very easy for a group to get spread out. The first person through leaves it for the next, and by the time the last passes through they don’t think to shut it. If a farmer wants a gate to remain open then it will be firmly tied in place. This is the number one cause of complaints from farmers – if in doubt close it and make sure the latch is firmly in place.
• Please make sure all litter goes home, or to the nearest bin. If that bin is full, take it with you to another. Do not rely on attaching notes to indicate you have passed a checkpoint; it is not a reliable way of communicating and can leave a bad impression with other people.
• Do not block gateways or junctions with vehicles while looking/waiting for groups. Exmoor specialises in narrow lanes and farmers rely on being able to swing straight into fields with no delay. It is tempting to park at road junctions where there is more space, but that room is often needed for trailers to make the corner. Please take particular care along the  road between Malmsmead and Oareford, as many groups cross this road, so is a popular place for checkpoints:

For General information including how to limit the risks from ticks -  visit the Out and About Essentials Page

• Exmoor is a safe National Park to visit, but there are few particular things you might want to bear in mind while planning your route. This is by no means a comprehensive list of hazards, and it is the responsibility of those organising the expeditions to ensure risk assessments are carried out and followed.
• There are public rights of way marked crossing the river Barle between Withypool and Tarr Steps. Most of these are at fords that are not safe to cross unless on horse back. Even then you would only attempt them in low water conditions. Please refer to the map below for guidance; generally, if you stick to the eastern bank of the river following the Two Moors Way, you will be fine. However, when the river rises in storm conditions it can make some sections more difficult to traverse safely.
• There is no safe way of walking along the shingle ridge from Porlock to Bossington. Follow the Coast Path diversion inland. Be aware that some of the paths are tidal and can be underwater for periods of the day.
• There are many parts of the coast path; particularly to the west of Lynmouth, that are adjacent to very large cliffs. Particular care should be taken on the footpath to the west of Foreland Point in high winds as it is extremely exposed.
• Near Lynton, the Sillery Sands footpath is no longer safe as the ladder and steps have been washed away preventing easy access to the beach.
• If in open country, groups should bear in mind that unexploded shells from WW2 training and mineshafts are potential, if rare, hazards.
• We hope you enjoy your expedition on Exmoor; there is loads more information to be found on our website and through our National Park Centres. If you see a National Park Ranger when out, give them a wave!