STROLL 11
LITTLETON & DUNDON BEACON
LITTLETON & DUNDON BEACON
Distance: 10.7km/6.6m Ascent 133m
To Littleton and around Dundon Beacon, returning via Etsome
A pleasant country walk which can be muddy but with some lovely views
www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5914693252/
Comments to [email protected] Updated February 2024
To Littleton and around Dundon Beacon, returning via Etsome
A pleasant country walk which can be muddy but with some lovely views
www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5914693252/
Comments to [email protected] Updated February 2024
Leave car park and turn L along West Street. At the Market Square follow the road past the Buttercross and bear L along Broad Street, with its lime trees. At Cow Square, with the renovated silver-coloured trough, continue ahead into North Street. At the mini roundabout, cross and go straight ahead into a track by the dog-poo bin and descend, bearing round to the L to pass under the railway bridge. Continue along the path at the foot of a grassy slope and at the end turn R down a steep slope to a gate through to the fishing lakes. Go ahead with lakes on both sides, through a gate, across a bridge over the river Cary and go straight ahead to ascend and join a field boundary on the left. Just before the hedge at the top, turn L through a metal gate and continue along the edge of the field with the hedge on the right. As the path begins to descend, there are good views ahead to Dundon Beacon, Lollover Hill and the Polden Hills. Cross a gate and follow a track to descend to another gate, then continue ahead to reach a small gate beside a field gate. Pass buildings on the left to reach another gate and a tarmac road. At T‑junction by pond turn R and just beyond Walnut Tree House go through a small black metal gate and along an enclosed path beside a garden to reach a way-marked stile beneath evergreen trees. Bear slightly L to the top of the hill, go through gate and then head along the ridge with the hedge on L and excellent views to L and R. Descend slightly and continue ahead now with hedge on R, to reach a sudden short descent and soon after to reach a way-marked stile and bridge. There are two paths from here - do not take the one bearing left, but head straight across field to a stile and sleeper bridge. Pass through an orchard keeping close to the hedge on R to reach a stile and gate leading into an enclosed track for 100m to emerge at a tarmac road. Go straight ahead into a track (SP Ham Lane ½m) with hedge on R and good views of Gilling Down with its coloured strata. After a short enclosed track, cross 4 more fields and at hedge ahead (near an incongruous wooden door!), go L 50 m then R along enclosed track, two kissing gates and a short grassy track to reach a road. Turn L for 150m, then bear L through a waymarked kissing gate. Follow the flagstone path with Dundon Beacon on the left, through several kissing gates and across a farm track and into enclosed path. On reaching a field, follow the path to go through a gate on L and continue to the top of the slope where on the L is a gate to the Nature Reserve (detour if you have time, but be warned, it’s quite a slog!) After 50m just before a modern house go L through waymarked gate. Follow path with hedge on R and when the hedge ends continue ahead on clear path toward a thatched house, just before which go through a gate and turn L to join a road. After 250m pass a derestriction sign and 50m beyond, cross a stile on the R and head to the left of the barn to locate another stile. Aim slightly L across the field and cross a small water course, then continue over the next field with a hedge on L to cross a footbridge over a rhyne and then slightly L to reach a gate leading across a sleeper bridge into an enclosed footpath. Go along this footpath for 600m and at the T-junction turn R then almost immediately L along a tarmac road. Cross the bridge over the river Cary and after 200m turn L into Barpool Lane (no sign). Follow 1.9Km past Etsome Dairy Farm then along the Cary valley and soon Somerton and the Viaduct come into view. Pass the sewage treatment works and continue past the track to the fishing lakes to ascend steeply to a T-junction. Turn L for 150m and take the next R (Laburnum Drive) and continue ahead into Pinewood to reach a T-junction at Behind Berry. Turn R then almost immediately L into King Ina Road and at the bridge over the railway do not cross, but continue ahead alongside the railway line with the fence on the L to reach West Street and the car park.