Devon is a walkers paradise no matter your age or fitness level!
The circular walk from Combe Martin starts in the car park – Kiln car park – and is about 8 kilometres long. There is a bit of an incline at the start but then the walk levels out again bypassing some superb scenery and making the initial exertion worth while.
Step 1: Walk toward the top of the car park heading away from the loos and you’ll see an opening onto the lane. You’re going to follow the Acorn Way coast path to Lester Cliff and Hangman Hills.
Go up the hill and follow the sign to the right. About 30m along you’ll follow another sign sending you off the path and along a track with a hedge alongside it. After about 30 metres you’ll go up some steps. Further up, you’ll need to turn right at the National Trust sign to ‘Little Hangman’. Keep the sea on the left.
Step 2: Follow the path along the coast to Little Hangman. You will pass three little paths branching off but you keep climbing and you’ll just miss the peak of Little Hangman on the left. This is about one mile into the walk.
Keep on this path all the way to Great Hangman.
Step 3: Keep going and you’ll see a wall and a sign showing three directions. Take the right path towards the Country Road.
You’ll come to a stile, go straight over it and at the end of the next field – by the gate – keep on the same path. It bends to the right and then goes past Girt Down Farmhouse. After this, follow the yellow path toward Combe Martin.
Step 4: About 150m past the Farm you’ll see a footpath going right sign posted to Combe Martin via Knap Down Lane. Follow it! Go about 500 metres and pick up the lane making a right turn onto the footpath for Combe Martin after about 100 metres.
Step 5: The path bends left taking you over a stream after a bit and you’ll go left at the next sign post, over the stile and keep heading to Combe Martin down Has Lane. Walk alongside the stream crossing a few plank bridges and you’ll come out in a lane taking your between some houses.
Step 7: At the five way sign take the right fork off the lane which says ‘Beach via Hangman Path’. You will go under a footbridge and out again after 150 metres to cross the stream by the Old Forge. Turn left here pass the little school on the right and follow the lane as it bends left between the houses. When you reach the main road turn right. Take the right fork down Cross St and back into the car park.
There’s a good map of this walk in ‘Circular Walks in North Devon’ which we used on our recent trip to Bideford and surrounds! Our group was made up of teens, parents and grandparents plus a little Westie and we loved the walk and the area!