Cheddar Gorge Circular

Cheddar Gorge is almost 400ft (122m) deep and 3 miles (4.8km) long, making it one of England’s most spectacular and unique natural sights. With its weathered crags and pinnacles, this walk is an adventure, climbing from top to bottom in a circular loop. There are definitely areas of this walk where we recommend dogs to be on a lead as there are cliff edges and goats grazing.

This walk is 4 miles (6.4 km) and took us 2 hours.

After, stop at one of the numerous dog friendly places such as Lion Rock Tea Rooms, The White Hart, Cheddar Paws Bakery (a bakery just for dogs), or even visit the dog friendly caves!

Want a longer walk? Venture to the nearby nature reserve complex: Black Rock, Velvet Bottom and Long Wood, or take an easy walk around Cheddar Reservoir.

Walking directions
1. There are many places you can start this walk as it is a circular loop, but we park at Cheddar Gorge & Caves Car Park (BS27 3QA). From here, turn left out of the car park and walk uphill towards the shops and caves.

2. Opposite The Original Cheddar Cheese Co, before you reach Lion Rock Tea Rooms, you will see a sign on the left for the Gorge Walk. The walk is way marked, so your route should be easy to follow.

3. Walk up the rocky lane and turn right at the first finger post to join the permissive path leading up through the woods. This part of the walk is very steep and uneven, and can be muddy in winter, so make sure you wear decent shoes!

4. Once you get to the top, take in the views and have a breather! Continue to follow the path. On this part of the walk, there were dogs off lead, as there are scrubland and small walls to the right of you.

5. Follow the path down the steep hill until you get to the bottom where you will see a gate, walk through the gate follow the path through the small hillside woodland. This is probably one of the most muddy areas in winter! You are now in Black Rock Nature Reserve.

6. When you start to walk downhill, you will come to a wide rocky track, turn right and go through the large gate. Walk until you get to the road, carefully walk straight across the road where you will see the path signposted on the opposite side. Walk up the stony path until it becomes level and follow the track to the right when it splits. Carry on this trail and when you walk through the very tall gate, put dogs on a lead as there are goats grazing on the cliff edges.

7. With dogs on a lead, you can enjoy the view of Cheddar Reservoir and the Somerset levels. There are usually goats grazing here, but they are very used to tourists!

8. Follow the path back down the hill, luckily this one isn’t as steep! There are numerous viewpoints on the way down. When you reach the Lookout Tower, you can venture up to the top with your dog, or follow the public footpath left through the woods (no signs) to join Lynch Lane. As you join Lynch Lane turn right and then at the end right again to walk down the narrow Lippiatt road.

9. At the bottom of The Lippiatt, turn right when you reach the main road and follow the pavement back to the beginning.