Exploring the limestone hills of the Mendips, this country walk takes you through the village of Wookey Hole, along the Mendip escarpment and through the Ebbor Gorge nature reserve. This Mendip walk enjoys spectacular views of the Somerset Levels, Glastonbury Tor, the Polden Hills, North Devon and South Wales.
Starting at the village of Wookey Hole, this hill walk first leads you across lush fields and along country lanes, before starting the steep ascent to the top of the Mendip escarpment. This Mendip walk then explores Ebbor Gorge and descends back down into the valley, following part of the West Mendip Way.
Location: Wookey Hole, Somerset
Difficulty: Intermediate
Time: 2 to 2 ½ hours
Distance: 4 miles (6.4km)
The charming village of Wookey Hole
This Mendip walk starts by exploring the small Somerset village of Wookey Hole. Located at the foot of the Mendip Hills near the medieval city of Wells, Wookey Hole prospered in the 18th and 19th centuries thanks to its paper mill. However, the village is best known for the Wookey Hole Caves. One of the top attractions in Somerset, the limestone caverns attract the crowds. Nonetheless, Wookey Hole is a charming village with lovely cottages.
The Somerset Levels and Glastonbury TorThe Wookey Hole and Ebbor Gorge walk leaves the village behind and takes you across verdant fields and along country lanes and quiet roads. You walk past disused lime kilns which were used to manufacture quicklime. From the outskirts of Wookey Hole, you can already enjoy stunning views of the Somerset Levels and Glastonbury Tor.
This Somerset walk then crosses further lush fields and leads you past a cattle farm. There, you cross a picturesque stream on the edge of woodland. This country walk then reaches the hamlet of Lower Milton which comprises a collection of farm houses and cottages.
The spectacular Mendip escarpment
From Lower Milton, you start the long and steep ascent across fields and through woodland to the top of the Mendip escarpment. As you hike the hill, breathtaking views start unfolding before your eyes. From the top, you can enjoy spectacular views of the Somerset Levels, Glastonbury Tor, the Polden Hills, North Devon and South Wales.
Far-reaching views from the Mendip escarpmentThe Mendip Hills are renowned limestone hills in Somerset. Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the Mendips offer rocky peaks, splendid gorges and astonishing caves. Stretching from the Chew Valley in the north to the Somerset Levels in the south, the majesty of the Mendip Hills can be truly experienced from the top of these arresting hills.
The peaceful nature reserve of Ebbor Gorge
This Mendip walk continues along the ridge of the hill and across lush fields to the Ebbor Gorge nature reserve. Offering a limestone gorge with dramatic cliffs and hidden caves, Ebbor Gorge was formed 200,000 years ago when a cave collapsed.
Views from Ebbor GorgeThe Wookey Hole and Ebbor Gorge walk leads you down a charming woodland path to the gorge viewpoint. From there, you can admire the thick canopy of trees covering the gorge and the sheer scale of the cliffs. However, you can only enjoy limited views of the gorge formation and the Somerset hills. Nevertheless, this spot is secluded and peaceful.
You then continue down woodland paths of fiery earth and surrounded by bright trees. Be careful, the trails can get slippery in wet weather. If you wish to continue to explore the gorge, you can discover the other paths in the nature reserve, especially at the bottom of gorge. This Mendip walk then leads you across fields back to the main country road and the village of Wookey Hole.
Find the walk itinerary and map: Ebbor Gorge & Wookey Hole on mendiphillsaonb.org.uk (pdf file)
Download the walk GPX file: Wookey Hole and Ebbor Gorge walk on outdooractive.com
Wookey Hole & Ebbor Gorge walk details
Location: Wookey Hole, Somerset
Difficulty: Intermediate
Time: Approximately 2 to 2 ½ hours with regular stops
Distance: 4 miles (6.4km)
Ascent: Steep
Itinerary: Wookey Hole & Ebbor Gorge walk (pdf file)
Trail condition: Good, but the trail can get muddy and slippery in wet weather
Accessibility: Not suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs or bikes
Parking: High Street in Wookey Hole (BA5 1BA – free, limited spaces available)
Facilities: Toilets, shops and pubs available in Wookey Hole
Notes: Please be mindful of livestock and keep your dogs on a lead
Explore more: Walks in the Mendip Hills
Nested in the heart of Somerset, the Mendip Hills offer rocky hills, wild moorland and breathtaking scenery. From the Cheddar Gorge Cliff Top walk to the Black Down walk and the Crook Peak walk, find spectacular hill walks in the Mendip Hills.
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