Walks

Hartland via Stoke - valleys and woodland (4.6 miles circular)

Stoke via Hartland Point - coastal (8.3 miles circular)

Hartland via Pattard Wood - river and woodland (2.3 miles circular)

Hartland makes an ideal base for ramblers who are making their way around the South West Coast Path. The twelve mile stretch of coastal path around the Hartland Peninsula, from Clovelly to Marsland Mouth is truly spectacular. Plenty of easy access points mean that you can chose the distance to suit you.

The cliffs are rugged and dramatic, softened on occasions by salt tolerant plants, such as thrift and sea campion, wild carrot and kidney vetch, clinging to their face. Watch out for the stonechat, wheatears and meadow pipits darting amongst the grassland near Gallantry Bower, the delicate blue butterfly fluttering along beside you, seals swimming around the rocks at Shipload Bay, oyster catchers and cormorants at the water’s edge, buzzards soaring high above and peregrine falcons circling overhead and then stooping headlong to strike on their unsuspecting prey.

This area has much to offer in addition to the four walking routes leaflets.

The Hartland Peninsula`s major asset is undoubtedly its unspoilt natural beauty.

The spectacular rugged coastline, open moors and ancient woodland are home to an abundance of wonderful and rare flora and fauna. If you appreciate natural unspoilt countryside, some of which belongs to the National Trust, breathtaking views and the chance to spot amazing wildlife and rare beautiful flowers then you are sure to really enjoy a visit to the Hartland Peninsula.

This area is a walkers` paradise whether you are a dedicted rambler or someone who enjoys a leisurely stroll amongst beautiful and varied scenery.
 

In January the little snowdrops stand bravely in great numbers.

In early spring both Beckland wood and the Hartland Vale are carpeted with bluebells and primroses, followed by the wonderful coloured patchwork of wild garlic, red campion, gorse and masses of foxgloves with their myriad spikes standing sentinel throughout them all. The spotted woodpecker, nuthatch, tree creeper, as well as the mistle and song thrush are amongst the birds to be found here. Butterflies are also in abundance. The silver washed fritillary, the speckled wood, the brimstone and the gatekeeper butterflies are particularly fond of the wooded areas here.

This Grassland has an excellent mixture of habitats, including wet heath and scrubby woodland, bog plant, purple moor grass and rush pasture.

It supports a myriad of birdlife (barn owls, curlew and snipe), insects (marbled white, dingy skipper and the very rare marsh fritillary butterflies) and also many uncommon plant species, notably yellow bartsia, the Cornish moneywort, several rare orchids (including the lesser butterfly), wavy St John’s wort and the Devon whitebeam tree.