SS5948 : Looking east towards Great Hangman

Great Hangman

318m Elevation
74m Prominence
England Country
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SS5948 : Looking east towards Great Hangman

Roger Cornfoot Photo source

Explore routes near Great Hangman

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Widemouth Bay to Bude Coastal and Canal

10.8 km ~3h Moderate

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Aircraft Crash Site - Wellington Bomber and Vampire Jet (Black mountains)

20.6 km ~6h Hard

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Locking Parklands–Hutton–Christon

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Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Great Hangman Trail

A scenic route starting from the Bothy at the end of the road, offering stunning views along the way.

3.5 km ~1.5 hours Moderate
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

300-399m hill

Elevation

318m

1,043 ft

Prominence

74m

Coordinates

51.2146, -4.0048

SS600480

OS Map

180

Explorer: OL9W

At the Summit

The summit features a prominent rocky outcrop and a small stone cairn marking the highest point.

Terrain & Geology

Primarily grassy with rocky outcrops leading to steep cliffs at the summit.

Great Hangman is primarily composed of sedimentary rocks, particularly sandstone, which has eroded into striking cliffs overlooking the Bristol Channel.

Views & Scenery

From the summit, hikers can enjoy sweeping views of the Bristol Channel, Hartland Point, and the rugged coastline of Devon.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The name 'Great Hangman' is thought to derive from the Old English word 'hang' meaning 'to hang' or 'to be steep'.

Historical Significance

Historically, Great Hangman has been a significant landmark for sailors navigating the coastline, and it boasts a rich biodiversity that has garnered interest from naturalists.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

There is a small lay-by at SS602494 for parking. Arrive early during peak seasons as spaces fill up quickly.

Public Transport

The nearest bus service operates to Lynton, which is approximately 7 km away. From there, it is recommended to use local taxi services to reach the trailhead.

Nearby Facilities

Nearby facilities include the quaint village of Combe Martin which offers several cafes, pubs, and public toilets.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Be wary of steep drops at the cliff edges and changing weather conditions, especially in winter when paths may be muddy and treacherous.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Great Hangman?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Great Hangman through the maps

Are there other walkers around Great Hangman?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Great Hangman search or of course create your own walk for Great Hangman

Can I organise a walk to Great Hangman?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Great Hangman.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Great Hangman?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Great Hangman here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

View the hill's mapped position and surrounding paths.

Grid reference: SS600480

View on OpenStreetMap

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