Day 55 A walk in Snowdrop Valley and beyond

Today's walk starts at Wheddon Cross in the Brendan Hills on the edge of Exmoor and as this is the top of the hill we walk down a muddy path to the start of the private path into the woods of "Snowdrop Valley".  It's believed that the snowdrops were planted by Benedictine Monks to celebrate the Feast of the Virgin Mary's Purification (although the noticeboard refers to the "prurification".  An unfortunate typo! For many years the owners of the wood sold bunches at Dunster market but it is now not permitted to pick the flowers.

The snowdrops are absolutely stunning and we enjoy the quiet of this amazingly peaceful place.  After we leave the valley we head up towards the moor on steep paths through fields and following bridleways before we enter open moorland, although we remain very close to the edge there is a temptation to climb higher, following the track that leads up to the Beacon itself.  We resist as we know the walk ends with a demanding uphill path back to the car at Wheddon Cross.

The next and final stage is a combination of paths and muddy tracks which have to cross a number of streams before we make the ascent back to Wheddon Cross.

6.5 miles