Blagdon, Cheddar Gorge & Beacon Batch loop from Burrington Ham — Mendip Hills

Hiking trails & Routes

Blagdon, Cheddar Gorge & Beacon Batch loop from Burrington Ham — Mendip Hills

Hard

4.8

(38)

hikers

Blagdon, Cheddar Gorge & Beacon Batch loop from Burrington Ham — Mendip Hills

05:44

19.5km

520m

Hiking

Embark on a difficult 12.1-mile (19.5 km) hike through the Mendip Hills, gaining 1702 feet (519 metres) of elevation over approximately 5 hours and 43 minutes. This challenging loop from Burrington Ham takes you across varied terrain, from rare limestone grasslands to open moorland and woodlands. You will traverse mostly…

Last updated: April 23, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Mendip Hills AONB

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

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6.34 km

Velvet Bottom Nature Reserve

Highlight • Natural

Velvet Bottom is part of the wider Cheddar Complex Sites of Special Scientific Interest which is a network of nature reserves on the Mendip Hills. Each reserve has its own …

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8.47 km

Black Rock Limestone Outcrop

Highlight • Natural

Black Rock is a limestone outcrop above Cheddar Gorge. There are a few climbing routes here and old lime kilns. This area is owned and managed by the National Trust and part of a nature reserve.

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9.05 km

Black Rock Steep Rocky Path

Highlight (Segment) • Natural

This might not be so nice, depending on how confident/sure-footed you are, how much it’s rained, or whether you’re going down rather than up!

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10.0 km

View of Cheddar Gorge and Cheddar Reservoir

Highlight • Viewpoint

Impressive gorge with climbing possibilities.

Translated by Google •

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10.6 km

View of Cheddar Gorge and Cheddar Reservoir

Highlight • Natural Monument

At almost 400 feet (122 m) deep and 3 miles (5 km) long, this is England’s largest gorge and, with its weathered crags and pinnacles, one of our most spectacular …

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11.4 km

Jacob's Ladder and Lookout Tower

Highlight • Viewpoint

The viewpoint from the top of Jacob's Ladder is well worth the climb!

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12.8 km

View of Cheddar Gorge

Highlight • Natural Monument

Nice short walk to see the Gorge from the top. Possible to do with children (mine was 10+). You can do the circular walk around the Gorge from here and finish going down Jacob's ladder.

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18.2 km

Beacon Batch summit trig point

Highlight • Viewpoint

This special site is designated as a Site of Special Scientific interest for its valuable wildlife habitats and is a nationally important site for its archaeology from the late Stone …

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19.5 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types