Winsford Hill
Join the lane uphill towards Liscombe. Nearing the village, turn sharp left on a track signed to Knaplock. Entering a field corner, swing right through a gate and then left beside the hedge. Emerging at the top, follow a track left then bear right into the field far corner. Cross a stile and continue by the left hedge of two more fields to come out beside Higher Knaplock Farm.
The track ahead (signed 'Tarr Steps') winds to Knaplock Farm. Picking up signs to Comer's Gate, turn right through the yard and wind up between barns to a gate at the top. Bear left along a hedged track, passing through a couple of gates and crossing a stream. Swing right through an often-waterlogged section, shortly approaching a line of beech trees. Keep with the old track by the left bank, soon passing through a gate onto the edge of open moor. Before long, at a sign, the path arcs right to avoid a bog, rejoining the bank some 350yds (320m) further on. Where the boundary then curves left, rise ahead through gorse to a diminutive four-way signpost.
Go right towards The Punchbowl, climbing up the moor for 0.25 mile (400m). Ignore a path off right and continue to a second fork, about 100yds (91m) short of a lane. Bear right on a broad trod, paralleling the lane for 0.5 mile (800m). Watch for a narrow path leaving left to meet the road opposite a lay-by.
Cross and walk forward past Winsford Hill's trig column to a grass track and follow it right above The Punchbowl. Ignore a crossing track and then a path forking left, to continue over a gentle rise ahead. Go over a cross-path then curve right down to a lane opposite Folly House.
Swing right beside the road. Approaching a 'Give Way' sign, cross to a path that winds to the Caractacus Stone. Walk past the shelter and bear right to parallel a hedge bank. Follow it for 0.5 mile (800m), eventually curving left alongside a line of beech. Reaching a broad track, turn right at a sign to Mounsey Hill Gate. At a fork, branch left to the corner of a beech hedge and then bear right to pick up a path around the eastern flank of Draydon Knap. Later the way divides, fork right to emerge opposite a junction of lanes.
The lane opposite is signed to Tarr Steps and Liscombe. Immediately beyond a cattle grid, bear left on a track to Tarr Steps across the flank of Varle Hill. Branch right at a fork and ignore a later cross-path, eventually reaching a gate. Continue beyond, shortly losing height. Leaving the moor, the path steepens, ultimately dropping through birch to a bridleway. Head right down to the River Barle and turn right again to reach a lane beside Tarr Steps.
Head briefly up the lane below the Tarr Farm Inn, leaving just after a building on the right for a parallel field path that climbs back to the car park.
Been on this walk?
Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.
Walking in Safety
Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.
Get an AA guide
Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.
Been on this walk?
Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.
Walking in Safety
Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.
Get an AA guide
Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.
Nearby places to stay
View all (8)
- Launderette
- Ice pack facility
- Wifi available
- Calor Gas
- Launderette
- Ice pack facility
- BBQ
- Picnic Area
- Total units: 3






