Exmoor

Exmoor is an intriguing combination of wide open moors, tracks through ancient oak and beech woods, and secret valleys with chocolate box villages.

Compared with the our other moorland network, the North York Moors, the Exmoor landscape is smaller scale with more frequent climbs and descents - it is pretty hilly, so you need a fit horse. You should also expect varying terrain, fords of various sizes and a few moorland hazards (including Exmoor ponies), but the scenery is staggeringly beautiful!

The eastern half of the network between Exford, Porlock and Dunster has slightly easier riding. This includes all 3 petal rides from the one-centre holiday at Exford and a 2-day ride between Exford and Higher Rodhuish. Although the terrain is hilly, the soils are generally sandier and there are fewer bogs. Our routes climb through the hills and woods to the top of Dunkery Beacon, which at over 1700 feet is the highest point on Exmoor with views right across the Severn estuary on a clear day.

Further west, the other 2-day ride between Exford and Challacombe crosses the remote moors on The Chains ridge to the west of Simonsbath. This area is bleak and beautiful, but there are peat bogs in the surrounding moors - so it is better suited to more intrepid riders with top-notch map reading skills.
Your horse must cope with water for this network. The pictures above and below were taken on one of Bobbie's favourite petal rides from Exford to the famous beauty spot at Tarr Steps. You have to ford the River Barle 3 times on the way there! The photo above is of Anne Colqhoun at one of the fords on a sunny day when the river level is normal - and the one below is of Bobbie and Herbie hock-deep at the same ford after a few days of heavy rain!
The photo above was taken on Dunkery Beacon. At 1704 feet, this is the highest point on any of the Bridle Rides networks!
There are 3 hosts:- at Higher Rodhuish near Dunster, in the east of Exmoor National Park, Exford in the centre and Challacombe in the west. Exford is our one-centre base, and there are 2 different 2-day rides between Exford and Higher Rodhuish and Exford and Challacombe. You can combine one-centre and place to place rides in different ways to make up to 5 days riding. All the hosts have at least 2 stables, and mountain biking is best left to very fit, experienced cyclists only!

New for 2008 : escorted "moorland taster" ride from Exford on the first day of your holiday for an extra £40 per party.

The Exmoor network is readily accessible from the M5 - although you should allow up to an hour to get from the motorway to your destination.
Bobbie and Herbie from Bridle Rides playing in the water at Tarr Steps.