Dunkery Beacon

Dunkery Beacon

At 519.9 m (1,706 ft), Dunkery Beacon is the highest point in Somerset and Exmoor National Park. Its broad, heather-covered ridge overlooks the surrounding moorland and the Bristol Channel. The summit's large stone monument stands over a prehistoric cairn.

Choosing a walk

• Upper Dunkery Hill car park: Exmoor National Park's 2.4 km there-and-back walk starts at SS904420. Cross the road, follow the stony ridge track to the summit, and return the same way. It has about 70 m of ascent and uneven stone drainage channels.
• Dunkery Gate and Great Rowbarrow: the National Trust's shorter 8 km circuit starts at SS896406, approaches the summit from the west and returns directly down the southern slope. The guide allows about two hours.
• Wheddon Cross: Walking Britain's 13 km circular route climbs via Luckwell Bridge, Long Lane and Dunkery Gate, approaches the summit from the west, and returns through the wooded combe and Drapers Way to Wheddon Cross. Its published estimate is four hours 50 minutes.

These are route-planning summaries. Take the full route guide and a suitable map, and choose a walk that suits the conditions and your group.

Landscape and summit

The hill is formed from Devonian sedimentary sandstone of the Hangman Sandstone Formation. Heather moorland covers the upper slopes; longer approaches add farmland and wooded valleys. Summer brings flowering heather, while the summit's coastal views depend on clear weather.

Historic England records prehistoric cairns around the summit, later beacon use and the beehive-shaped stone monument erected in 1935. It also records an Ordnance Survey triangulation pillar on the west side of the cairn. Leave the archaeological remains undisturbed.

Access and facilities

Use the car park for your chosen route: the upper roadside car park at SS904420 and Dunkery Gate by Dunkery Bridge at SS896406 are different starting points. There are no toilets at these summit-walk starts. Public toilets and refreshments are available at Wheddon Cross and Horner, with seasonal tea rooms at Horner.

Atwest's 198 bus serves Wheddon Cross from Minehead and Dulverton, Monday to Saturday excluding public and bank holidays. Reaching the Beacon from the village is a longer hill walk, so check the return timetable before setting out.

Walking with care

The open ridge is exposed to wind and poor visibility. Stony tracks, drainage channels and steeper descents need care, especially when wet. Check the forecast, carry navigation equipment and suitable clothing, and keep wildlife and grazing animals at a distance. Ticks occur in the area, especially in vegetation around the combes; check yourself after walking.

Nearby walks can explore Great Rowbarrow, Ley Hill and the wooded valleys of Horner Wood.