Description
Minehead and Porlock sit on the northern edge of Exmoor, giving access to some of the park's most celebrated natural singletrack. The Hawcombe bridleway, the descent off Selworthy Beacon to Bossington, and the coastal routes around Porlock Weir are among the best rides in the south-west. Exmoor Adventures in Porlock Weir provides bike hire, guided rides and skills sessions for all levels.
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The Trails
- The Minehead and Porlock corner of Exmoor is home to some of the most celebrated natural singletrack in the south-west. Key routes include the Hawk Combe descent to Porlock Horner, the descent off Selworthy Beacon to Bossington, the Somerton Combe descent, and the famous Hawcombe bridleway, named one of Britain's best singletrack rides.
- The area also gives access to the Minehead way and coastal bridleways running west from Minehead towards Porlock Weir, with views across the Bristol Channel towards Wales.
Etiquette
- Ride only on permitted routes: bridleways, restricted byways, and routes clearly marked on up-to-date OS maps. Open access land on Exmoor does not grant a right of way for cycling.
- Give way to walkers and horses. Control your speed and avoid bunching when in larger groups.
- Announce your approach to horses and walkers from behind, ideally with a bell rather than a shout, to avoid startling them.
- Avoid hard braking and skidding, particularly on the delicate moorland soils which are vulnerable to erosion. Stick to well-established lines and avoid over-used routes during wet conditions.
- Follow the Countryside Code.
Useful Sites
- Exmoor National Park has produced a colour-coded off-road cycle map and good practice guidance for mountain biking on the moor.
- Check out the Porlock, Exmoor route from MBR, including the Hawcombe bridleway, named one of Britain's best singletrack rides.
- Exmoor Adventures in Porlock Weir offer guided MTB rides across Exmoor and the Quantock Hills, along with e-bike and mountain bike hire, skills sessions, and uplift days. They have over 50 Specialized bikes in their fleet.
- Browse MTB routes on Komoot for GPS-ready route options across the national park.
Events
- The Exmoor Beast, a classic cycling sportive based at Wimbleball Lake, with multiple route options taking in Dunkery Beacon, Exmoor's highest point.
- The Exmoor Explorer, an off-road cycling challenge starting from Halse Farm, Winsford, accessing areas of Exmoor not usually open to riders. Multiple route options available.
Share
- If you have ridden the mountain bike trails in Exmoor around Minehead and Porlock, please share your reviews, photos, and videos to this listing.