5k Run North Devon: Scenic Journey to Watersmeet

Route Overview & Local Insights

This 5.0km loop offers a quintessential North Devon trail running experience, blending lush woodland paths with the rhythmic sound of rushing water. Starting from the edge of Lynmouth at Tors Road, you’ll follow the historic Coleridge Way into the deep, river-carved valleys of Exmoor. With an ascent of 138m, the route is moderately challenging and predominantly hilly, featuring a mix of paved sections and rugged forest trails. The highlight is reaching Watersmeet, where the East Lyn River and Hoar Oak Water converge—a perfect spot to catch your breath before crossing the bridge and navigating the technical, scenic return leg along the opposite bank.

Steeped in literary history and natural beauty, the Watersmeet valley has long been a sanctuary for poets and explorers. This National Trust site is home to one of Britain’s deepest river gorges and ancient sessile oak woodlands that feel untouched by time. As you run, you are following in the footsteps of Romantic poets like Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who found inspiration in these dramatic landscapes. Keep an eye out for local wildlife; the area is a haven for red deer, otters, and kingfishers, making it as much a nature trek as it is a vigorous morning workout through one of Exmoor's most iconic "hidden" valleys.