Macmillan Way West
The Macmillan Way West is a 164 km route from Castle Cary in Somerset to Barnstaple on the north Devon coast — crossing the Somerset Levels, the Quantocks, Exmoor and the Tarka Trail in a north-south traverse of the West Country.
This route has no official waymarking. Serious navigation experience is required — do not rely on GPS alone. Carry OS 1:25,000 maps and study the line before you go.
About Macmillan Way West
The Macmillan Way West is a connecting spur of the main Macmillan Way, running south-west from Castle Cary through Somerset and Devon to the north coast at Barnstaple. It crosses the Somerset Levels, climbs into the Quantock Hills AONB, crosses Exmoor National Park and descends to the Taw estuary.
For trail runners it is a two to three day challenge with good variety — the levels sections are flat and fast; the Quantocks and Exmoor give genuine upland running. The Exmoor section is the finest — heather moorland with coastal views.
The route
Castle Cary to Bridgwater (~50 km): Somerset Levels — flat, quiet, atmospheric in all weathers.
Bridgwater to Porlock (~55 km): Over the Quantocks (highest point Wills Neck, 384 m) and to the Exmoor boundary.
Porlock to Barnstaple (~59 km): Across Exmoor and down the Taw valley to the north Devon coast.
Getting there & logistics
Start: Castle Cary. Train from Bristol and London Paddington.
Finish: Barnstaple. Train on the Tarka Line to Exeter.
Best time: April to October.
Safety
The Exmoor section is exposed moorland in bad weather. In an emergency: call 999 or 112. Exmoor SAR covers the national park. Pre-register SMS 999.
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