Blackdown Common Pond & Culmstock Beacon loop — Blackdown Hills

Embark on the Blackdown Common Pond & Culmstock Beacon loop, an easy 3.2-mile (5.1 km) hike with 282 feet (86 metres) of elevation gain, typically completed in 1 hour and 24 minutes. This route guides you through the varied landscapes of the Blackdown Hills, featuring broadleaved and coniferous woodland, heathland, and marshy grasslands. You will pass by Blackdown Common Pond before ascending to Culmstock Beacon, where you can enjoy spectacular, far-reaching views across the Culm Valley and potentially as far as Exeter on a clear day. In late summer, the heathland is particularly vibrant with purple-pink heather.

This trail is generally considered easy and suitable for most fitness levels, offering easily accessible paths for all skill levels. While the route is mostly flat, some sections can be short and steep, and paths may become muddy even after dry spells. Therefore, wearing appropriate footwear is highly recommended to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience on your hike.

The highlight of this loop is the historic Culmstock Beacon, a beehive-shaped flint structure rebuilt in 1870. This monument was once part of an Elizabethan early warning system, used to signal threats like the Spanish Armada by lighting fires. You can enter the beacon and look up to where these fires would have burned. The surrounding Blackdown Common is also a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), rich in flora and fauna, offering chances to spot wildlife such as songbirds, deer, and even wild ponies.