Somerset is one of those counties that rewards slow looking. The scenery is not always dramatic in the obvious, postcard sense. Instead, it stacks layers: hedgerow lanes, limestone escarpments, marsh edge, wooded combes, hillfort ridgelines, old railway paths, and long views that appear between farm fields like a secret you were almost not meant to notice. If you are trying to find scenic walks in Somerset, the best approach is not to chase a single famous trail and call it a day. It is to build a simple method for choosing walks that match the kind of view, effort, and atmosphere you want.
This guide focuses on how to do that well. It covers where to look, what makes a walk scenic in this part of England, how to compare routes, and how to combine short research with practical planning so you end up on the right path the first time.
Start with the landscape, not the route name
A route title can be misleading. A walk called a ?heritage trail? may have broad views but spend most of its time on roads. A path named for a village may be charming yet flat and enclosed by hedges. Scenic value in Somerset usually comes from the landscape itself.
When you are scanning potential walks, ask:
- Does the route cross higher ground or stay in a valley?
- Is there a mix of open sightlines and enclosed sections?
- Does it follow a coast, ridge, gorge, canal, river, or moor edge?
- Are there landmarks that break the horizon, such as towers, church spires, or tor ridges?
- Will the route feel varied from start to finish, or repetitive after the first mile?
A route with good visual rhythm often beats a route with a famous name.
The Somerset areas that usually deliver scenery
Somerset is broad enough that the best walks depend on the part of the county you choose. The table below gives a quick way to think about the main scenic zones.
| Area | Scenic character | Best for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exmoor edge | Moorland views, wooded combes, river valleys | Bigger horizons and rugged atmosphere | Weather changes, muddy ground |
| Mendip Hills | Limestone scenery, ridge views, gorges | Short climbs with strong payoff | Steeper paths and exposure |
| Somerset Levels | Big skies, wetlands, straight horizons | Calm, easy walking and birds | Fewer elevation-based views |
| Quantock Hills | Rolling hills, woodland, coast-adjacent vistas | Mixed landscapes and accessible climbs | Can be busy near popular start points |
| Coast paths | Sea views, cliffs, estuary light | Strong scenery and varied terrain | Wind, erosion, tidal awareness |
If you want the most obviously scenic walk, start with the Mendips, Quantocks, or coast-adjacent routes. If you want a slower, more spacious mood, the Levels can be excellent, especially at the right time of year.
Use map patterns to spot scenic potential
Before you commit to a route, open a map and look at the shape of the line. Scenic walks often have a visual signature on the map.
Look for these shapes
- A line that climbs to a high point, then follows a ridge.
- A route that loops around a gorge, quarry edge, or escarpment.
- A walk that follows a river but includes side climbs to viewpoints.
- A path that crosses from enclosed woodland into open hillside.
- A coastal route with repeated headlands or cliff-edge sections.
Be cautious with these shapes
- Long straight lanes with no contour changes.
- Out-and-back routes that never leave the same terrain type.
- Routes that hug roads for most of their length.
- Circular walks that look scenic at the start and then turn into field-edge mileage.
This kind of map reading takes only a minute or two, but it filters out a lot of mediocre options.
Check photos, not just star ratings
Ratings can tell you whether people enjoyed a route, but they do not always tell you why. For scenic walks, photos are often more useful than reviews.
Look for signs that the route actually delivers what you want:
- Distant views from elevated points.
- Clear path surfaces rather than only road walking.
- Distinctive terrain such as limestone cliffs, woodland gorges, tidal flats, or open moor.
- Landmarks that create a sense of place.
- Seasonal variety, such as bluebells, heather, autumn colour, or winter light.
If the photos only show a car park, a village green, and a pub sign, the walk may still be pleasant, but it is probably not the best answer if scenic value is your main goal.
Match the walk to the kind of scenery you want
?Scenic? is broad. In Somerset, it helps to decide what sort of scenery you are actually after.
For big views
Choose hill-based routes, especially those with ridgelines, escarpments, or tors. These walks usually deliver the broadest sense of space and the strongest contrast between foreground and horizon.
For water and light
Choose canal paths, estuary edges, coastal sections, or river loops. These routes often feel calmer and more reflective, especially early in the day or near sunset.
For dramatic terrain
Choose gorges, quarry country, and limestone country. The scenery is often more compact and textured, with cliffs, rocky cuts, and steep sides that make short walks feel memorable.
For peaceful countryside
Choose field paths, commons, and lowland loops. These are less about spectacular lookouts and more about atmosphere: birdsong, hedges, old farm boundaries, and wide rural silence.
A practical method for finding good walks fast
Use this simple process when you have only a few minutes to choose a route.
1. Pick one scenic theme
Decide whether you want hills, coast, water, woodland, or open countryside. Do not start by searching the whole county with no filter.
2. Search local walks near a known scenic feature
Use terms such as:
- Somerset ridge walk
- Somerset coast path walk
- Mendip Hills circular walk
- Quantock Hills viewpoint walk
- Exmoor edge walk Somerset
- Somerset gorge walk
This improves your odds of landing on terrain that naturally produces better views.
3. Scan the elevation and route shape
If the route has no climb at all, it may still be lovely, but it is less likely to have commanding scenery. If it rises to a viewpoint and then contours along a high line, that is usually a strong sign.
4. Check the start point for access and parking
A scenic walk is less satisfying if the logistics are awkward. Look for the following before you leave:
- Parking availability
- Public transport access
- Whether the route is circular or linear
- Whether you need OS navigation or a downloaded map
- Any seasonal restrictions or tide considerations
5. Compare the best three candidates
Rather than overthinking one route, shortlist three and choose the one with the best combination of scenery, length, and ease of access. This keeps the decision practical.
Typical walk types and what they offer
Different walk styles deliver different scenic rewards. Here is a compact comparison.
| Walk type | Best advantage | Common downside |
|---|---|---|
| Ridge walk | Strong views and horizon lines | More wind and elevation gain |
| Gorge walk | Dramatic enclosed scenery | Can feel crowded on popular sections |
| Coast walk | Light, sea air, changing views | Tides and exposed weather |
| River loop | Calm, reflective atmosphere | Views can be limited on flat sections |
| Hill country loop | Variety and quiet | Mud, livestock, and navigation complexity |
If you want the most reliable ?wow? factor, ridge walks and coastal routes usually outperform everything else.
Best timing for scenic value
The same walk can feel ordinary in one season and exceptional in another. Somerset scenery changes more than people expect.
- Spring gives fresh greens, blossom, and longer daylight.
- Summer makes ridge and coast walks feel expansive, but it can also increase crowds.
- Autumn often gives the best colour and softer light for photography.
- Winter can be superb for visibility on higher ground, though mud and weather become more important.
Time of day matters too. Early morning often gives cleaner air and quieter paths. Late afternoon can make low sun light up hedges, water, and limestone edges.
What makes a walk scenic in Somerset specifically
Somerset is not just one visual style. Its scenic identity comes from contrast. You may move from enclosed lanes to open uplands, from wetland stillness to cliff-edge drama, or from wooded shade to bright limestone exposure.
That contrast matters because it keeps the walk interesting. A route with a single view can be beautiful, but a route with changing textures feels richer. The most memorable Somerset walks usually include:
- A clear sense of elevation change
- At least one viewpoint or horizon-opening section
- Terrain that shifts during the route
- A start and finish that make logistical sense
- Enough quiet to let the landscape do the work
A simple shortlist for deciding between routes
Before you leave, score each candidate walk against the following:
- View quality
- Terrain variety
- Ease of access
- Distance and climb
- Weather suitability
- Crowd level
If two walks are similar, choose the one with the better viewpoint potential or the more distinctive landscape. A slightly awkward start is worth it if the scenery is stronger.
Final checklist before you go
- Confirm the route length and elevation.
- Check whether the path is circular or requires a return.
- Look at recent photos for mud, closures, or overgrowth.
- Download offline navigation if you are heading into rural country.
- Bring water, a layer for wind, and footwear suited to the terrain.
- Tell someone where you are going if you are walking a less familiar area.
Where to begin if you want the easiest win
If your main goal is simply to find scenic walks in Somerset without wasting time, start with routes near the Mendip Hills, Quantock Hills, Exmoor edge, or the coastal stretches. Those areas give you the highest likelihood of good views in the shortest amount of research. After that, use map shape, photos, and route type to fine-tune the choice.
The best Somerset walk is rarely the longest or most famous one. It is the route that matches your mood, your time, and the kind of scenery you actually want to spend an afternoon with.