This circular walk with ascents and descents explores the famous Cheddar Gorge in the Mendip Hills with great viewpoints from the cliffs!
Park your car at Black Rock car park (gravel lay-by off road parking at the top of the gorge).
(D/A) Head to the flat path (East side) for 100 metres where you can see "Black Rock National Trust" signpost.
(1) Go through the gate and bear immediately left "Gorge walk Cheddar 2.7km". At the next gate continue to the right (red arrow) and ascend the steps. From now on, you follow the cliffs enjoying the views to Cheddar, the valley and the impressive other side of the gorge. Follow the red arrows for one mile until you go across an open field and go through a low wall.
(2) Past the low, turn left for a quick way and return if you want to enjoy a nice viewpoint which opens to Cheddar and its reservoir. Retrace your steps along the low wall and take the path which bends left. Descend this path in woods for 600 metres (be careful, it can muddy and very slippery during wet conditions!) until you reach a gravel track (Cufic Lane). Turn left until you join Cliff Road and bear right.
(3) Follow the main road going past many shops for 600 metres until you reach crossroads with St Andrew's Road and Eldweiss Cafe. Bear left and ascend Lippiatt Lane for 150 metres before you turn left in Lynch Lane. Ascend a few metres until you find a fork with "Lynch Cottage" signpost.
(4) Bear left to the path (public bridleway and gorge walk signs) which goes up in woods leading to the Lookout Tower. Read interesting explanations and head towards a gate on your right. Go through this gate next to the information signpost ignoring the stairs on your left. Continue the main path going through another gate. The path finally leads to the cliffs. The views of the city are even more beautiful from this side of the gorge!
(5) Walk the whole overlooking path along the cliff ignoring a stile on your right. Follow the red arrow path which finally goes down to Black Rock car park.(D/A)
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 176m - Black Rock car park
1 : km 0.14 - alt. 186m - Gate
2 : km 1.97 - alt. 176m - Viewpoint
3 : km 3.32 - alt. 20m - Crossroads
4 : km 3.53 - alt. 44m - Path in woods
5 : km 5 - alt. 233m - Path along the cliff
D/A : km 5.96 - alt. 176m - Black Rock car park
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.