Hiking Around

Leave only footprints, take only pictures and memories!

Countisbury to the Foreland Lighthouse via Butter Hill, 3 miles - Route.

Distance: 3 miles / 5.0 kilometers

Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Grade: Easy/Moderate

Map: OS Explorer OL9 - Exmoor

Start Point: Car Park east of Countisbury off the A39

Grid Reference: SS 752 496

Nearest Post Code: EX35 6NS

Serial Distance Grid Reference Description
01 0.00 miles SS 752 496 From the car park on the western edge of Barna Barrow, follow the path for about 10 yards to a track junction.
02 10 yards SS 752 497 Bear left following the well defined path for about 400 yards to a track on the right.
03 0.25 mile SS 749 498 Follow the path up Butter Hill (a gentle ascent) to the trig point and radio tower.
04 0.42 mile SS 748 500 Take the path to the right, descend the hill following the field boundary wall to the bottom of Great Red.
05 0.62 mile SS 749 503 At the path junction bear right, for a gentle ascent to the summit of the Foreland Point.
06 0.80 mile SS 750 505 From the summit of The Foreland Point, head east along a moorland path to an obvious junction.
07 1.15 miles SS 755 506 At the path junction turn left, to follow the path down to a set of steps and to a single track tarmac road near a bridge.
08 1.25 miles SS 755 504 At the road, turn left and on to the light house.
09 1.63 miles SS 754 510 Just before the viewing point above the lighthouse, take the path to the left.
Caution - the path is very narrow, in parts over loose scree. The path is very exposed. In icy or very windy conditions, serious consideration should be given to retracing the route back to the car park.
Carefully follow the path around the northern bank of the Foreland Point
10 2.07 miles SS 750 505 Continue passed a path on the left which leads to the summit of the Foreland Point.
11 2.20 miles SS 749 503 At the path junction bear right, along the coastal path, contouring Butter Hill to Countisbury.
12 2.60 miles SS 747 498 At the next path junction, take the path to the left to follow trail back to the car park.
Alternatively continue ahead passed the Church of St John to the Blueball Inn for a fine ale and pub lunch, before returning to the car park.