12k Run Minehead: Scenic Selworthy Beacon Coastal Loop

Route Overview & Local Insights

Pushing off from the rugged trails near Minehead, this 11.5km loop offers an quintessential Exmoor running experience. With 178m of vertical gain, the route balances challenging climbs with exhilarating descents over a mix of grassy ridgelines and rustic dirt tracks. Runners will navigate the high ground of Selworthy Beacon, where the trail occasionally skirts the dramatic coastal cliffs. The terrain is entirely unpaved, demanding nimble footwork but rewarding every effort with panoramic views across the Bristol Channel toward the Welsh coast. It is a moderate-to-challenging run that perfectly captures the "Hilly" rating, making it ideal for trail runners looking to test their mountain lungs against the Atlantic breeze.

The area surrounding Selworthy Beacon steeped in layers of Somerset history and natural beauty. As part of the Holnicote Estate—gifted to the National Trust in the 1940s—this landscape has been preserved to showcase its unique coastal heathland and ancient woodland. Local runners often share the paths with Exmoor ponies, a rare breed that has roamed these moors since the Ice Age. After finishing your effort at the Beacon, a short descent leads to the "chocolate box" village of Selworthy, famous for its thatched yellow cob cottages. It’s a local tradition to refuel with a cream tea at the Periwinkle Cottage, providing a classic English finish to a grueling coastal session.