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Hiking trails & Routes

South West England

Somerset

West Somerset District

Exmoor

Barle Valley & Cow Castle loop from Simonsbath — Exmoor National Park

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

South West England

Somerset

West Somerset District

Exmoor

Barle Valley & Cow Castle loop from Simonsbath — Exmoor National Park

Moderate

4.7

(46)

253

hikers

Barle Valley & Cow Castle loop from Simonsbath — Exmoor National Park

03:04

11.0km

190m

Hiking

Embark on the Barle Valley & Cow Castle loop from Simonsbath, a moderate hike spanning 6.8 miles (11.0 km) with an elevation gain of 640 feet (195 metres), typically completed in about 3 hours and 3 minutes. You will follow paths alongside the River Barle through wooded areas like Birchcleave…

Last updated: April 23, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

2.06 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

6.99 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

11.0 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

5.21 km

5.04 km

440 m

314 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

8.89 km

1.68 km

281 m

159 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (390 m)

Lowest point (280 m)

Weather

Monday 25 May

29°C

17°C

3 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 7.0 km/h

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This route was planned by komoot.

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Barle Valley & Cow Castle loop from Simonsbath — Exmoor National Park

Wheal Eliza mine ruins

View of Cow Castle

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