Three years ago I first visited the Valley of Rocks as part of a recce for the initial Skyline trip to the Devon coast. Just its name, dramatic, blunt , and conjuring up a wild landscape was enough to entice me, and I was far from disappointed.
The Valley of Rocks is only a 30-minute walk from the town of Lynton and is accessed by, surely, one of the most stunning coastal paths in the UK (see photo). After sauntering along this easy tarmac trail and passing about a hundred unmissable photo opportunities, you turn inland and suddenly you are surrounded by an impressive rocky gorge that leads onwards towards gorgeous bays at Lee Abbey and Woody Bay.
Geologically, it's fascinating, if that's your thing (as it is mine - note to self…. need to get out more). Here, the ancient slates and sandstones are folded and mangled (not a technical term) into jagged shapes and then have been eroded over 300 million years into the current unique features.
The town of Lynton, too, was new to me. Known as ‘Little Switzerland’, it has many buildings with architectural charm, as well as a funicular railway powered by water & gravity and offering fab views out to sea, all the way to the Welsh coast.
Organising and guiding walking holidays is a joy in so many ways, and these recce trips to checkout locations: beaches tracks, trails, picnic spots and coffee shops, are the icing on the cake for me!
If you fancy joining us on the Devon coast we'll be there from April 28th to May 2nd, when the bluebells lie thick in the oak woodland, and a warm, briny breeze drifts in off the sea!!!! (fingers crossed). More details HERE.