Wivey Way and the Tone Valley

Join us on this 15km circular walk taking in the delights of the surrounding southern area of the small market town of Wiveliscombe with it's beautiful countryside just to the east of the Exmoor National Park.  We'll experience the beauty of the countryside as to what West Somerset has to offer, and some far reaching views beyond.

We will start our walk in the small town of Wiveliscombe 14km west of Taunton in Somerset. Wiveliscombe is a former market and cloth making town 8 km from the border between Devon and Somerset. It is situated at the foot of the Brendon Hills and acts as a gateway to Exmoor. Wiveliscombe is the highest town in Somerset after Dulverton commanding an altitude of 126m 

We'll head out of Wiveliscombe across open farmland and down quiet country lanes to the southern most point of our route picking up the West Deane Way, and taking in the massive pillars that carried the much valued Taunton to Barnstaple branch line cut by Beeching in the 60's. We'll pass through the woodland and plantations of the Tone Valley alongside the River Tone, and our track will take us straight through a couple of enclosures breeding partridge for the forthcoming shoots later in the year. Eventually we will climb and reach the highest point of our walk on Maundown Hill. Then we shall descend dropping back down into Wiveliscombe on the Wivey Way for a little refreshment

Please note we shall be walking on quiet lanes, bridle paths, woodland trails, and crossing farmland with both arable and livestock mainly, cattle, sheep, and partridge. The terrain could be uneven in parts so walking boots should be considered a key and essential part of your kit. It will also be slightly muddy in parts if we have experienced any rain. Yes, this is the season for wearing a pair of shorts though be warned we will be going some slightly overgrown pathways have not been fully cleared of stinging nettles or briars, so please be warned. There are no really serious ascents or descents to negotiate, though don't judge this walk as level, and also consider the distance we'll be covering. There are a few stiles to negotiate and some not in the best of condition. .  

Don't waste that space!

Spring and Summer walks mean lots of new and existing members excited to be getting out more. Please only book if you know you can make it. Should your plans change please free up the space immediately for someone else who could attend.

Is it dog friendly? 

Dogs are welcome to join us on this event but we do ask the following:
Please appreciate the fact that not everyone is a dog owner or lover- especially when we stop to eat
Remember we will encounter livestock and horses, and land owners and authorities have clearly signposted  their expectation of the integrity and assurity they require  of any dog owner, and their dog whilst on their farm land.
Please ensure you adhere to the Countryside Code at all times - see (Keeping Dogs Under Effective Control)
If your dog is uncontrolled and strays in open land frightening other animals or livestock, the leader is supported by the OutdoorLads board of trustees to ask you to leave the event as this is not acceptable behaviour.

 New Members

Please feel free to join this as your first Outdoor Lads event. If you have any questions, then feel free to message me or go to the "My First Event" section under "About Us".

Image / photo credits: 

All leader's own images taken on a rainy July day - with permission for OutdoorLads to use and reuse.

My other walks for 2023:

Other walks to be added shortly for upcoming months.

IMPORTANT! - Participation Statement

You MUST complete a Participation Statement, in addition to booking your event space before attending an OutdoorLads event. You only need to complete this Participation Statement once, not for each event you attend. 

Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, even if they are extremely mild, or who has recently tested positive for Covid-19, are asked not to attend.