The start of the Cheddar Gorge walk. It stretches before us, like the aftermath of a cliffside dynamite explosion.
A blanket of spiky jagged rocks, broken up occasionally by a slope of mud or a wandering tree root, towers upwards, seemingly never-ending. Welcome to the start of our Cheddar Gorge Walk.
This isn’t going to be easy
My legs had never had such a workout, at least not recently.
25 minutes later we rest, using a small, dark cave on our left as an excuse for something to investigate. Not being able to delay the inevitable any longer, we press on.
Before long, the rocks give way to mud, and we push through a small gate we have been eyeing for at least 10 minutes. A welcoming site of flat land stretches before us. We are at the top at last.
A hand made stone wall is to our right, and there is a smaller part where it has collapsed, inviting us walkers to venture through and get closer to the Gorge edge. I am embarrassed to say we cannot resist and we sneak over, and join at least 10 others on the other side.
Edging towards the cliff top, I am keeping half an eye on my footing, and the rest of my eyes on Max. I want to make sure he is not being as foolhardy as I am.
Thankfully he isn’t.
The first cheddar gorge view
The breathtaking views are worth the hike alone. Little did I know what views were to come later on the walk.
I have a feeling the phrase, A Step Too Far, was surely made for situation like this. One step too far and, well, it would no doubt be my last. The road winds below us, the cars look like toys.
I shuffle back, and make sure we are both well away from the edge.
Further along the cliff top lay two mountain goats. No doubt wondering why there were humans on their land. I imagine though, they are probably used to it by now.
It is time to continue and we make our way back to the correct side of the wall, and head off along the designated path.
Ups and Downs litter the path. Slopes and steps, as well as the aftermath of what can only be described as ‘mini rock explosions’.
The gentle descents do little to comfort our legs for the numerous gentle ascents.
From this part of the walk there are limited views down. However, the views of into the distance are surely a taste of things to come. A teaser of what this Cheddar Gorge Walk can offer us.
Trees and bushes are hiding the view, so other senses are heightened, particularly sound. This being a Sunday, the Gorge below is a popular place to be. No less than for the wanna-be racing drivers whose unnecessary loud exhausts are reverberating through the gorge as they make the most of the windy road. It is perhaps one of the best, if not the shortest drives in England.
Going Down
Before long, we reach a sharp decline.
The surprisingly few steps give us the illusion that descent back down to road level will be an easy one. The height of each steps has other ideas.
After around 50 or so uncomfortably large steps, the ground reassuringly levels out. The next 15 minutes or so prove quite effortless.
It is the calm before the storm.
We follow the route. Through another gate, with a sign post signalling we had completed 2.4km, but with 2.7km still to go. We are almost half way through.
A small car park awaits, and is perfect for a rest and a sit down on felled logs. Across the road awaits the next challenge, and we eye it with trepidation.
We cannot delay it any longer.
We Climb again
If we thought the first climb was rock laden, then this one is its big brother. While not difficult, the part of the Cheddar Gorge walk needs extra care.
Just as steep, but twice as many rocks. A slip on one of these and your knees would instantly hate you forever.
This climb is shorter than our first one though. Or so I thought.
Steep and short makes way for shallow and long. Quite quickly, the incline becomes less aggressive, but the rocks remain.
We are so focussed on the climb, the rocks, and the potential ankle twisting obstacles, we don’t realise we are moving along the gorge as well us up.
As the climb flattens, enough to make us feel it is over, we check our location, and find we have walked over 1km back along the other side of the Gorge.
Cheddar Gorge walk – the views DON’T DISAPPOINT
It is clear we are now at the top, and we continue along with the Gorge to our right. There does not appear to be as much vegetation on this side of the gorge. Because of this, these views far exceed those from the other side.
Sheer rock faces drop down in front of us as we stare back at the side we have just navigated.
To our left is a circle of water. The Cheddar Reservoir. Despite it being over 2km away its size on the landscape is impressive.
We pick a point along this part of the walk for a snack stop. Max is flagging. Truth be told, we all are.
Asking a 6-year-old to walk in excess of 5k is bound to bring a few challenges. Hula Hoops and chocolate seem to help.
Enjoying the Views as we rest
While Suzanne and Max rest and take in the views, I take the opportunity to venture out onto the edge of the cliff face again. I just have to make the most of the views. People with more of an obsession with Instagram than I have could do a lot worse. There are plenty of rocks to perch on. The backdrop is worthy of anyone’s ‘grid’.
The photo opportunities on this Cheddar Gorge Walk are endless
Such is the winding edge of the cliff the face, I am now standing and facing the horizon when 10 meters ago it was to my left. Staring out over Cheddar Reservoir is one of my favourite views so far.
We will visit this before we head home, I am certain of that.
The views from this side of Cheddar Gorge are much more impressive than the other, and there are more of them. In this particular stretch where we are right now, they are plentiful. We soak up the sun and the views for a while longer, before deciding to complete the last leg of our walk.
The Final Leg – Heading down Cheddar Gorge
The descent into Cheddar Gorge starts easy enough. Flat mud, well-marked paths, and a thoroughly enjoyable walk down. The walk does venture inwards away from the edge. As a result, the views diminish, but there are other things to enjoy. Areas of flowers and wildlife stretch away to the sides.
Information boards can educate you if you want to learn.
We press on, the mud path slowly giving way to a more jagged slope. But still relatively easy to navigate. It is not long before we reach the top of Jacobs Ladder. We will deal with those 274 steps in a minute.
Before that, we check out The Lookout Tower. Inevitably it is COVID closed, and we are not allowed up.
Built in 1908, the tower was originally wooden. It was replaced in 1936 and that metal structure still stands today. It comprises of 48 steps and offers (apparently) stunning panoramic views of the Somerset countryside. That is a climb we have to save for another, post-COVID trip.
Jacobs Ladder – The Final Descent
We have a mere 274 steps to negotiate before we are back down to the roadside. Jacobs Ladder so named after a story from the bible, when Jacob spies a set of steps carrying Angels to and from heaven.
I think it is important for me to say, before we head down, that if you are not up for a 5k walk around the whole of Cheddar Gorge, and you just want to experience being up here, then this is the side to do. But, be warned, you do not get the views immediately from the top of the steps. Unless the Look Out Tower is open.
As you reach the top of the steps, turn left, and give it a mile. It will be worth every step.
The steps down are, as you can imagine, pretty steep. There are small landings to step out of the climb and rest. Probably more welcome for those climbing up than climbing down.
It is a mildly energetic end to a fabulous walk and one that I think I would do again in a heartbeat. Along of course, with a few other things!!
The Video
Here is a video I did of the walk.