Wheal Eliza mine ruins – View of Cow Castle loop from Simonsbath

Hiking trails & Routes

South West England

Somerset

West Somerset District

Exmoor

Wheal Eliza mine ruins – View of Cow Castle loop from Simonsbath

Moderate

4.8

(18)

100

hikers

Wheal Eliza mine ruins – View of Cow Castle loop from Simonsbath

04:15

15.4km

260m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: August 6, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Exmoor National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

724 m

Wooden Bridge and Riverside Path, Exmoor National Park

Highlight • Trail

Keep to the right hand gate to follow the river

Tip by

2.09 km

Wheal Eliza mine ruins

Highlight • Structure

Between 1845 and 1857, there was a mine here, next to the River Barle, that initially produced copper and later switched to iron production. Now, only a few remnants remain, such as some stones from the worker's cottages.

Tip by

2.22 km

Walk along the River Barle

Highlight • River

2.69 km

Riverside Path

Highlight • Trail

3.33 km

Wild Swimming Spot in Exmoor National Park

Highlight • Natural

Swim shoes/boots - it’s quite shallow also so not able to fully swim but great for a cool off dip

Tip by

4.99 km

View Towards Landacre

Highlight • Viewpoint

5.47 km

Simonsbath Circular Walk via Picked Stones and Cow Castle

Highlight • Trail

Good walking boots

Tip by

11.4 km

View of Cow Castle

Highlight • Natural Monument

This spot offers privileged views of Cow Castle, a univallate hillfort from the Iron Age that occupies an isolated knoll in the valley of the River Barle, dominating it.

Tip by

15.4 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

13.4 km

998 m

886 m

108 m

Surfaces

13.2 km