Walks and trails in Somerset

Introduction

See our England Coast Path page for information about the closure between Watchet and Blue Anchor

There are over 6100 km of public rights of way in Somerset. They are footpaths, bridleways, restricted byways and a few byways open to all traffic. Several of these paths are promoted as part of popular regional or national trails, such as the England Coast Path, the Coleridge Way, River Parrett Trail, South West Coast Path and West Somerset Coast Path.

Maps and leaflets

You can find information on 16 popular promoted trails in the Route Finder leaflet which is in the Downloads section of this page. We manage and promote three of these – Coleridge Way, West Somerset Coast Path and River Parrett Trail. They all link to the England Coast Path.

You can find copies of the Walking, Riding and Cycling Routes in Somerset leaflet in most Tourist Information Centres and Council Information Points.

We have also produced a series of 20 walking and cycling maps to help you explore the county. They are on our walking and cycling maps page.

Bridges along the River Tone leaflet

A joint effort between us, the Institution of Civil Engineers and Highways England has produced a fascinating leaflet about 23 bridges along the course of the River Tone.

Every bridge in the short guide has details about its engineering pedigree provided by our members of the Institution of Civil Engineers, using snippets from archaic records, and modern techniques and material used.

You can pick up copies of the leaflet in the Tourist Information Centres at Wellington and Taunton.

The River Parrett Trail

The River Parrett Trail is a scenic 50 mile walk that can be enjoyed over three to four days, or as a series of shorter walks, exploring some of lowland England’s most beautiful, intriguing but also fragile countryside.

Trail highlights include Ham Hill Country Park – the site of one of Europe’s largest Iron Age hill forts – Burrow Mump and Athelney – where the Saxon King Alfred found a refuge from the Vikings – and Steart Marshes – a wild, wetland landscape for the future that helps people and wildlife adapt to climate change.

You can read more and download route guidance on the River Parrett Trail website

Canal walks

The 15-mile canal path between Taunton and Bridgwater has been developed as a multi-user route to encourage walking and cycling. It forms part of the Sustrans cycle route 3. The canal path is an ideal way of passing through lowland Somerset, seeing areas of historic interest and natural beauty.

The Somerset Space Walk is an attraction along the canal route. It was designed by the late Pip Youngman and depicts our solar system as a true scale model running the length of the canal.

Online map

View our Explore Somerset online map to find out where you can walk, ride or cycle. Walkers can use all categories of public rights of way. Horse riders and cyclists can use bridleways, restricted byways and byways open to all traffic.