Oare to loop on the SW Philippa Reader Coast Path

Route Summary

Starting in the valley of the East Lyn you climb up and over high ground that lies between the Lyn and 's north coast. Then drop down onto the West Coast Path where you turn east and walk through beautiful temperate rainforest to before returning up and over to the East Lyn.

Route Overview

Category: Walking Length: 16.880 km / 10.55 mi Last Modified: 10th June 2021 Difficulty: Medium Rating: Unrated Surface: Rough Date Published: 10th June 2021

Description

There are several ways to reach the coast path and the East Lyn valley is worth an explore so I walked from the car park near Robber's Bridge around to Oare village before heading up Deddycombe. I show the alternative routes on the map.

At the top cross over the A39 coast road and drop down the side of Sugarloaf Hill onto the .

Turn right (east) along the coast path which is generally flat as it winds around the headlands and coombes.

This woodland is called temperate rainforest as the warm and wet climate is the source of all the plantlife you see around you.

There is a lot of human history in these woods too, mainly centred around Culbone where you can visit the church that still has regular services.

Continue along the coast path to the tunnels which were once part of the Ashley Combe Estate and then drop down to the edge of Porlock Bay.

1 / 5 Here you are faced with the return climb up Worthy Combe, past the Culbone Stone which you can find hidden in the woods at the top and back through the Lillycombe Estate to the start.

Waypoints

Park in the car park near Robber's bridge (51.20519; -3.68951) You have several options to reach the South West Coast Path.

Either head straight up Lillycombe from the car park or walk along the road towards Oare.

This is your second option (51.20419; -3.69819) Turn right and go straight up the footpath or carry on along the road.

This is the third option (51.21378; -3.71650) Turn right here and follow the footpath up Deddycombe - it starts just a short way along the Coleridge Way on the left.

Turn left here (51.21378; -3.71459) The Coleridge Way continues up the spurline ahead of you, the Deddycombe footpath turns left here and goes up the valley.

Cross over the A39 (51.21696; -3.70322) and continue along the footpath towards the sea.

The footpath drops down the left hand side of the combe ahead of you until you reach the south west coast path in Yenworthy Woods.

Turn right onto the South West Coast Path (51.22970; -3.71129) and follow the path all the way to Culbone and on to Porlock Bay.

Follow the forest track (51.22335; -3.65997)

2 / 5 into Culbone and then on to Porlock Bay.

The church is open and the graveyard a pretty place for a break.

Turn left (51.22203; -3.63929) and follow the path down to the road.

Take the road past the toll house (51.22150; -3.63627) and continue on until you meet the footpath on your right.

Turn right onto the footpath (51.22074; -3.63541) and follow the track up through Worthy Wood to the top.

Turn left onto the road (51.21255; -3.64562) and continue up Pitt Lane.

Follow the driveway up to the farm (51.21021; -3.65204) where you will find the footpath on the other side.

The path splits here (51.21031; -3.65300) turn right and continue up through the mixed woodland valley.

Turn left onto the road (51.21264; -3.66873) and continue on to the A39.

On your way you will see a sign for the Culbone Stone which is a short walk through woodland on your right.

Cross over the A39 (51.21120; -3.67493) and pick up the last track back into the Oare valley near the Culbone Stables Inn.

Turn left (51.20518; -3.69046)

3 / 5 back to the car park.

4 / 5 5 / 5