Epic Exmoor Cycle: Alcombe to Dunkery Beacon and Back for an Ice Cream
- Alcombe cycling, Brockwell cycling, cycling Dunkery Beacon, Dunkery Beacon cycle route, Exmoor bike routes, Exmoor cycling, Exmoor MTB, Grabbist Hill cycling, Knowle Hill bike ride, Luccombe cycling, Macmillan Way West cycle, Minehead bike ride, Minehead ice cream, Ranscombe cycle, scenic bike rides Somerset, Somerset cycling, Tivington Heights cycle route, UK cycling blog, Webber’s Post bike ride
Adventure details for: Epic Exmoor Cycle: Alcombe to Dunkery Beacon and Back for an Ice Cream
If you’re looking for a challenging ride with steep climbs, sweeping moorland views, and a rewarding seaside finish, this route from Alcombe is one for the books.
We set off from Alcombe, cycling towards Dunster along quiet lanes, skirting the lower south side of Grabbist Hill. The early section is a gentle warm-up, winding under trees with glimpses of Dunster Castle through the hedgerows.
From Dunster, the route continues past Knowle Hill and Ranscombe, weaving through peaceful woodland trails and open meadows. The lanes here were empty apart from the occasional walker, and the smell of damp earth and hawthorn blossom filled the morning air.
Passing through Brockwell, we began to climb up the Macmillan Way West – a long, relentless ascent towards Dunkery Beacon, the highest point on Exmoor. The views from the top are worth every pedal stroke: wide open moorland, rolling hills, and the distant Bristol Channel. We didn’t follow the route I’d previously exited on the bike, choosing instead to continue along the ridge to make the most of the open landscape.
From Dunkery, it’s a fast, exhilarating descent past Webber’s Post into Luccombe, where the brakes got a thorough workout as the path winds steeply down into the wooded valley. At the bottom, the route turns towards Blackford, before climbing again up Tivington Heights – another leg-burner, but the moorland views and sense of isolation make it special.
Finally, we rejoined the A39, rolling back towards Minehead with tired legs and grins on our faces. The ride ended perfectly with an ice cream down on the Minehead seafront, watching the waves and feeling that post-ride glow.
- Distance: Approx. 16 – 18 miles
- Time: 3.5–4 hours depending on stops
- Elevation Gain: High – long climbs to Dunkery Beacon and Tivington Heights
Highlights:
- Gentle lanes past Dunster and Grabbist Hill
- Climb up Macmillan Way West to Dunkery Beacon
- Epic moorland views across Exmoor
- Fast descent past Webber’s Post into Luccombe
- Final ice cream by Minehead beach
A ride that has it all – woodland, moorland, steep climbs, thrilling descents, quiet villages, and seaside ice cream to finish. Highly recommended for experienced riders looking for a day of true Exmoor adventure.
Hope You Enjoyed: Epic Exmoor Cycle: Alcombe to Dunkery Beacon and Back for an Ice Cream
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Updated 15/6/2023