10 miles
This iconic walk encompasses Somerset’s own Grand Canyon, the mighty Cheddar Gorge, thought to be cloven by the sword of the God Of Thunder through the Somerset lands, and if weary legs allow, takes in the Mendip Hill’s highest mountain, the summit of Black Down, 325mts (supplemental oxygen will not be needed).
The walk begins in Cheddar and starts with a short climb up the south side of the gorge, quickly affording us views of the gorge and surrounding Mendips. Accompanied by galloping goats and mewing buzzards, we skirt the dizzying rim of the gorge via a succession of dramatic viewpoints. We then descend the far end of the gorge and pass through Velvet Bottom, encompassing Black Rock and Longwood nature reserves, gradually ascending through woodland then open hills as we prepare for our ascent of Beacon Batch. On a clear day you can see across the Bristol channel to the Welsh coast and Brecon Beacons (on a wet day, you will see almost nothing – Ed.), and the southern escarpment of the Mendips falling away towards the legendary Vale of Avalon and Glastonbury Tor. We loop back around through Velvet Bottom again to commence our final steep climb of the day up the northern rim of the gorge, where we are afforded more views as we slowly descend back into Cheddar.
May be rocky and muddy underfoot, walking boots advised.
Bring a packed lunch. Pub to finish.
Walk Leaders: Nick S ( (Phone number removed) ) and Kirstie G ( (Phone number removed) ) (who would like it to be known that she did not write the walk description).
Meet: 09:15 at the Water Tower
Alternatively meet at 10am at Cliff Street pay & display car park, Cheddar, BS27 3PS.
Please note it costs £5.50 to park for the day so please bring some change.