Exmoor National Park & Coastline, ECO Farmstead hostel 3 DAY WEEKEND

Join us for a trip to one of UK’s finest landscapes offering remote and tranquil moorland, spectacular coastlines, deep wooded valleys, high sea cliffs and crystal clear rivers. We have designed a great trip combining the very best of this spectacular region in 3 diverse and contrasting hikes taking in sea, hilly moorland, shady wooded valleys and the River Barle.

Dive into the enchanting and magical Exmoor whose landscapes are steeped in history, folklore and tradition spanning back to its days as an ancient royal hunting forest. This magnificent National Park is a true haven for wildlife and grand landscapes. Keep your eyes open for Exmoor ponies and the largest indigenous mammal in Britain - the Wild Red Deer, which often share the trails with us.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Stay at an Eco Hostel that’s been converted from a Victorian Farmhouse which produces its own electricity from a wind turbine and solar panels
• Hostel set in a tranquil and remote location deep on the National Park itself and surrounded by moorland and hills
• A fully catered trip including Saturday and Sunday night dinners
• 3 diverse hikes in the wild and untamed moorlands, valleys, coastline and oak woodlands of Exmoor
• Visit the incredible 3000-year-old stone "Clapper Bridge" of Tarr Steps. A Grade 1 listed scheduled ancient monument – nearly as old as Stonehenge
• Smaller than usual trip - 30 attendees

Video - LINK

WEEKEND DESCRIPTION

Our accommodation for this trip (hired exclusively for us) is surrounded by divine countryside set in the depths of rural Exmoor's 692 square kilometres - it's so remote that the driveway is 1km long. Here we get a real taste of the enchantingly remote and wild Exmoor enjoying an abundance of peace, tranquillity and nature...

We have 3 stunning and contrasting hikes lined up - on the first day we will do a very diverse circular route taking in the famous Tarr Steps as well as the beautiful, dense and lush wooded valley of the River Barle.

Sunday sees us exploring the varied and dramatic landscape of Exmoor's coastline. We visit the villages of Lynton and Lynmouth - nestled in the mouth of a wooded valley in a picture postcard location.

Monday will be a hike up Dunkery Beacon - Exmoor’ s highest point boasting stunning sceneries towards Exmoor, Brecon Beacons and the English Channel.

ITINERARY

Friday

Arrive in the evening to our hostel and we have time for drinks and socialising.

Saturday

Hike: Tarr Steps circular
Distance: 11 miles (17km)
Grading: Intermediate, a few hills, some tough terrain
Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours

Today we do a diverse and wonderful circular hike taking in the famous Tarr Steps - the longest clapper bridge in the country, as well as one of Exmoor’s gems - the River Barle with its charming Barle Valley. Our route follows the River Barle as it meanders through ancient oak woodlands towards Tarr Steps offering a great diversity of mosses, lichens, wildlife and its babbling and dashing waters home to otters, salmon and trout.

We return to the hostel late afternoon with time to explore our remote and wild setting before enjoying a delicious group dinner together.

Sunday

Hike: Lynmouth Circular
Distance: 9 miles (15km)
Grading: Intermediate, a few hills
Hiking time: 4.5 to 5.5 hours

Our adventure begins from the trail-head of one of the most stunning stretches of the South West Coast Path and loops back inland to finish in the picture postcard fishing village of Lynmouth. Every inch of this trail winds along the undulating shore, treating us to stunning panoramic ocean views framed by the jagged coastline. The keen eyed can see Feral goats too.

We return to the hostel for a delicious barbecue to socialise whilst the sun gently sneaks away taking with it this ancient landscape.

Monday

Hike: Dunkery Beacon circular - the highest point in Exmoor
Distance: 7 miles (10km)
Grading: Intermediate

We start our hike from the nearby Dunkery Beacon, the highest point in Exmoor National Park at 519 metres, we can see all of Exmoor from this peak as well as to the sea.

We hike up slopes carpeted with heather and whortleberry while watching for red deer and ponies in the distance. It's a varied landscape of moorland and woods, sprinkled with streams onto which the sunlight dances and sparkles through the trees. Once we reach the summit of Dunkery Beacon, we will take some time to soak up the stunning views of rolling moorland and expansive ocean where we’ll have a well deserved rest and photo stop.

COST & PAYMENT

EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT - £268 until 6th May, then £278. Click “Attend” to pay the £20 deposit by PayPal. The remainder is due by bank transfer within 3 working days. We will send you payment details for this once your booking has been processed.

Trip payments are non-refundable and non-transferable. When the trip is sold out fully paid spaces can be advertised to the same gender, for details: FAQ

TRANSPORT, ACCOMMODATION AND START TIME

The trip starts at the venue and you will need transport to the hikes.
Lift share discussion - to offer/request lifts

The accommodation address is at the top of this page, you are welcome to arrive from 7pm or any time later.

FOOD

Breakfast and packed lunches are included in the cost and will be provided for Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Dinner on Saturday and Sunday is also provided. You will need drinks for the trip (both alcoholic and water) as there is nowhere to buy these.

Breakfast is healthy and nutritious - typically cereal, porridge with fresh fruit, berries, nuts and seeds, fresh fruit salad, free range eggs, yogurt, toast and coffees, teas etc.

For lunch we provide fruit, crisps, cereal bars and a range of options to make your own sandwiches typically tomatoes, cucumber, houmous, peanut butter, honey, jam, ham, cheese and salami.

After the hike we enjoy Cream Teas - an English delicacy consisting of scones, clotted cream and jam, a tasty treat!

Meals are meat based with vegetarian options. To find out if the food being provided meets your intolerance/allergies/preferences/likes/dislikes etc, please email us. You are welcome to bring your own favourite items to meet specific requirements and there is a fridge and kitchen you can use.

THE PRICE INCLUDES:

• 3 nights hostel accommodation (4, 5 and 6-bedded single gender rooms)
• Breakfast on Saturday, Sunday and Monday
• Tea (including herbal) and coffee
• Packed lunches on Saturday, Sunday and Monday
• Dinner on Saturday and Sunday
• Hikes by trained guides
• Compliance with the 2018 Package Travel Regulations including Financial protection

THE PRICE EXCLUDES:

• Transport to, from and during the trip
• Drinks and personal expenses

SAFETY - Your guide is a trained hike leader. Outdoor activities involve a risk of personal injury. Please bring suitable hiking footwear and hiking clothes such as warm clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers - CLOTHING TIPS

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