06/11/2025
Brendon 2 Gates, Hoar Oak Cottage circular. 6 miles rough terrain in places
Park in the lay-by on Simonsbath side of cattle grid and walk through the gate onto Brendon Common. Turn left and walk beside the wall (wall is now in your left)
Continue beside the wall and you will reach Farley Water, you can cross in the reeds here as it’s narrow enough to jump across even in wet conditions. You can now either use diagonal path up onto Cheriton Ridge and then return to wall or go straight up the steep slope beside the wall.
Once up the hill carry on beside the wall to descend again and reach a pedestrian gate through the wall adjacent to the Hoar Oak Tree. Cross the footbridge and once up the short slope after the bridge turn right on the track to Hoar Oak Cottage. There is a small stream to cross before reaching the cottage.
Our path continues past the front of the cottage out into fields, continue straight ahead for the beech hedge bank and cross two fields to reach a third hedge, which had an old fence beside it. Go through the gap
In the hedge and walk beside the hedge, keeping it on your right to descend to the river once again (Hoar Oak Water) once through the gate there is a ford but this can be deep, there is a shallower we crossing place slightly upstream to your right.
Once across the river (I did get wet feet here) follow the track from the ford uphill but when it curves left continue straight up until you cross the two moors way, which is a wide path along length of ridge. You can now choose your route but I like to pass through the stone circle and then cross to the path which runs along the top of Farley Valley. You will need to cross back over Farley Water so there is a diagonal path down into Clannon Ball or as my route map shows a direct, very steep descent. Once across the river follow the path up Clannon Ball back towards the main road. You will reach the road about 100m from the cattle grid and your start point.
