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WMB 109 Quantock Hills, Somerset_Classic Route

Start/Finish: Holford village Total distance: 30.5km Time: 2.5-4.5 hours (18.9 miles) Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer 140: Quantock Hills and Bridgewater Summary: All this climbing means you’re assured of the best descents. Takes in all the classics on the northern half of the ridge and makes a demanding day. From Holford, follow the lane over the hill to the lay-by on the A39 where you’ll find the butty van on weekdays. Head through the gate on the right and ascend Dowsborough Hill, bearing right after a 1km climb to drop back through the trees into Lady’s Combe. Bear left along the river climbing steeply again to the road, continuing the ascent on tarmac to Dead Woman’s Ditch car park. Take the bridleway that heads due west and to the right of Black Hill as the road deviates to its south. At the junction of multiple paths atop Halsway Hill, bear left and descend across the front of the grassy hill with epic views on your left. Turn right at Paradise Combe and climb back to the ridge, then head south-east along the doubletrack to the top of the Stert Combe descent. Follow the singletrack north, over open moor at first and then dropping into the trees, switchbacking into Somerton Combe and then bearing left to pick up the climb out of Lady’s Edge. At Bicknoller Post, follow the ridge track north as it climbs over Beacon Hill. Smith’s Combe is the valley to your right, and the descent is accessed via the grassy slope that heads towards the trees. Bear right at the fingerpost up the short but steep climb before contouring around the hillside to Pardlestone Hill. Bear right to climb back up to the Great Road and Bicknoller Post. Descend Weacombe towards Bicknoller village, then turning left along the foot of the ridge before climbing Bicknoller Combe. Turn right and stick with the main ridge track as it trends east all the way to Frog Hill. Turn north to drop steeply into Lady’s Combe. Follow the singletrack into Holford Combe making several stream crossings before emerging back on the road near Combe House Hotel.by ocoutts