Cheddar Gorge and Beacon Batch loop from Blackrock Gate — Mendip Hills

Running trails & routes

Cheddar Gorge and Beacon Batch loop from Blackrock Gate — Mendip Hills

Moderate

5.0

(8)

runners

Cheddar Gorge and Beacon Batch loop from Blackrock Gate — Mendip Hills

01:30

13.4km

220m

Running

Embark on the Cheddar Gorge and Beacon Batch loop from Blackrock Gate, a moderate jogging route that offers varied terrain and expansive views across the Mendip Hills. This 8.3-mile (13.4 km) loop includes steep climbs and rough, rocky sections, gaining 709 feet (216 metres) in elevation, and typically takes about 1 hour and 29 minutes to complete. You will jog past the dramatic limestone cliffs of Cheddar Gorge, catch glimpses of Cheddar Reservoir, and traverse open moorland and woodlands, with panoramic vistas extending to the Bristol Channel.

This trail is best suited for joggers with good fitness levels due to its challenging ascents and uneven paths. While the research does not specify trailhead access or parking details, assume you can begin your journey from Blackrock Gate. Always check local conditions before you go, especially regarding weather, as some sections can be rough. Plan your visit during daylight hours to fully appreciate the scenery and ensure safe navigation on the varied surfaces.

The route is notable for several significant landmarks, including Cheddar Gorge, Britain's largest gorge, known for its impressive rock formations. You will also reach Beacon Batch, the highest point in the Mendip Hills, which offers exceptional panoramic views from its trig point and features ancient Bronze Age barrows. The trail also passes through Velvet Bottom Nature Reserve, an area with a rich history of lead mining dating back to pre-Roman times.

Last updated: April 23, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Mendip Hills AONB

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839 m

View of Cheddar Gorge

Highlight • Natural Monument

An enormous limestone gorge in the Mendip Hills AONB, Cheddar Gorge draws hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. There are numerous notable features of the gorge, particularly its towering cliff faces, incredible rock pinnacles and formations, and its exceptional views south across the flat Somerset Levels.

The gorge is also home to sprawling cave systems and a series of show caves. It's here that the remains of Britain's oldest complete skeleton were found, dating back 9,000 years and appropriately named, 'the Cheddar Man'.

There is also a herd of feral goats in the gorge, which can often be seen halfway up the cliffs or on the top of the eastern cliff, munching plants. Footpaths cover both clifftops and it's easy to explore the area in depth. The village of Cheddar lies at the southern end and has plenty of cafes, restaurants and attractions.

Parking can be a challenge in high season and on bank holidays, not because there's not much, but because it's such a popular place. Drive up the gorge to find more parking outside of the village.

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7.24 km

Beacon Batch Summit and Trig Point

Highlight • Natural Monument

325m high trig point with lots of views in all directions. It can get busy with walkers as there are lots of different routes to the top so be careful on the way back down.

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10.6 km

Velvet Bottom Nature Reserve

Highlight (Segment) • Historical Site

The well-marked trail follows the bottom of the valley which has had a connection with lead mining since pre-Roman times, and along the way you can take a look inside the two small caves. As you walk through the reserve you will see a series of dams and levels, a reminder of the lead mining that used to take place.

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