Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From the car park at Malmsmead the walk follows the lane to Oare, where Lorna Doone is shot at her wedding in R. D. Blackmore's novel. A bridleway contours round the hill to Cloud Farm, and a clear track leads up Badgworthy Water, through woods and then open moor, to the faint remains of a medieval village. From there a bridleway climbs north-west onto the moor and comes down to Lankcombe Ford, and a track runs east of Malmsmead Hill back to the village.
It is 13.2 km with 270 m of ascent; allow about 4 hours. The grade is Moderate. The tracks are clear, with one long climb onto the moor.
There are several fords and footbridges, which may be hard to cross after heavy rain. The moor is open and exposed. Sheep graze, and dogs must be on leads on the moor from 1 March to 31 July for ground-nesting birds.
The car park at Malmsmead is pay and display. There is no station near.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- Lorna Doone country: Oare church, where Lorna is shot in R. D. Blackmore's novel
- Up Badgworthy Water through the woods to the remains of a medieval village
- Back over the moor by Lankcombe Ford and Malmsmead Hill
- Several fords and footbridges; the moor is open access land
Summits on the way
- Malmshead Hill 389 m · passed close by
Getting there
Start: Lorna Doone car park, Malmsmead · Pay and display. 51.21672, -3.73137
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Lorna Doone car park: Booking.com → Expedia →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.