Cheddar Gorge, Somerset: How to Do the Clifftop Walk For Free!

Cheddar Gorge in Somerset offers such a unique landscape, with limestone rocks dating millions of years old. There are huge pinnacles shooting out of the ground, and the most impressive serpentine road weaving its way through this natural gem. The views from the clifftop will take your breath away and leave you feeling like you’ve time travelled to a pre-historic world.

The colourful and charming village of Cheddar sits at the base of the valley with The Cheddar Yeo river running through it. There are a handful of swish looking restaurants and cute independent shops to visit. Providing plenty of options to grab an ice-cream on a hot summers day, or perhaps a slab of authentic cheddar cheese is more up your street.

Cheddar Gorge is a true gem for rock climbers, cyclists and nature lovers. You could spend an entire day here hiring bikes to cycle the gorge, walking the clifftops, or heading underground to see the stalagmites inside the majestic caves.

Rated as one of Somerset’s top attractions, Cheddar Gorge is the largest gorge in the whole of England. It’s a true treasure of Somerset, and is well worth a visit.

Here’s how you can do the Clifftop walk on both sides of the gorge. Plus, how to do Jacobs Ladder for FREE!

But first, let’s talk about parking.

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Where can you park at Cheddar Gorge?

There are a few car parks dotted around Cheddar Gorge, but they do fill up rapidly. Especially the ones that are closest to the village.

All are chargeable, most currently between £5-£6 for the day.

However, if you want free parking and you’re happy to get some extra steps – just keep driving all the way through the gorge. Eventually you’ll come to some parking spaces/ verges where you can park for free.

Where do you start the Cheddar Gorge cliff top Walk?

If you park at the end of the gorge, furthest from the village like we do. Then you’ll be near two starting points for the gorge clifftop walk, on the opposite side to Jacobs ladder.

There is an official signposted starting point right near the end of the gorge called ‘Black Rock’ which is a longer walk. Or if you park ever so slightly further back into the gorge look out for this rubble hill which isn’t sign posted.

The What3Words for this locations is ///misty.processor.shell and that’s where we tend to park.

Directions for the clifftop walking route

After a short but steep walk up this hill, you’ll jump over a stile and you’ll now be on the same ‘official’ walking path.

Keep left and follow the sign post which directs ‘clifftop walk’ and head up a fairly steep set of steps. Continue up hill where the path turns rocky and uneven underfoot. After roughly 10-15 minutes of incline walking, the path will begin to flatten out and you’ll get a first glance of the impressive views.

Go through a wooden kissing gate and you’ll begin heading slightly downhill across a vast open field. From here you can spot Cheddar reservoir glistening in the distance. There’s another stile on the left which crosses an old drystone wall, you can jump over and admire the view from there or skip that one and continue down the hill.

If you chose to go over that stile, head back the way you came, and continue down the hill a little more. Soon a metal gate will appear on the left, go through this one and you’ll be right on the edge of the cliff. This is where you can wow your eyes with the most impressive views.

It goes without saying, but be careful up here. Theres no fencing and Its a sheer 450 foot drop down to the bottom, so avoid getting too close to the edge (My photo isn’t as close as it looks! it’s like tiers up here and i’m quite far back) If there are strong winds you may want to avoid going through this metal gate all together.

Stay safe people, and keep children and dogs nearby at all times.

How to get down to Cheddar Village

You can either go back through the metal gate, or follow the path that runs beside the stone wall. It all comes out in the same place.

You’ll spot a sign which directs you down, or you can continue on the cliff walk if you’re after a little more. Due to severe erosion, the old route down is now closed. Instead follow the new signposted route which says ‘Cheddar village’

The old route was uneven and rocky, the new one is steep and muddy making it treacherous on a rainy day. Go careful navigating this slippery route, we witnessed a few people taking a tumble and gaining unwanted muddy patches on their bums!

Eventually you will come to a hairpin bend where the path turns to gravel. Go left and walk alongside a stone wall. After a short downhill walk you’ll come out in Cheddar village opposite Cafe Gorge.

Take a look at Cheddar waterfall

When you get to the main road, turn right through a carpark where you’ll probably see people queuing for an ice cream. Then keep right so that the pool of water is on your left.

Follow along this fairly narrow track which takes you beside some buildings. Eventually there will be a gap in the wall on the left, and you’ll be able to hear the roar of crashing water. Go down a few steps and you’ll come out at what’s known as Cheddar waterfall.

It’s more of a man made waterfall, but it’s pretty to see. Follow the flow of Cheddar Yeo River through the village where you’ll see it tumble with smaller waterfalls on its course. Whilst you’re down here, why not have a little wander around the cute independent shops, or sniff out a pub for bite to eat before heading back to your car.

How to get back to your car

Now, you could go back the same way you came. However, I recommend walking back along the winding road instead.

The view from the ground is magnificent and provides a completely different vantage point of Cheddar Gorge. Every step is a feast for your eyes, full of sharp turns and towering rock formations that leave you feeling miniscule.

As you walk along, you’ll be able to see people rock climbing and abseiling down the awe-inspiring cliff faces. You might even spot some mountain goats balancing on the crags – mountain goats fascinate me, how do they do it?!

Just be careful walking back along the road. Cars and motorbikes will most likely be driving around and there are a few pinch points in places. For the majority of the way, there are verges that you can walk along to stay off the road. However, in some parts you’re forced to walk along the road for short periods of time.

How long is the loop?

If you did the loop and avoided walking around the village, it would be around a 3 mile walk at an intermediate level.

Is the Cheddar Gorge clifftop walk suitable for prams or wheelchairs?

Sadly no. This route is steep, rocky, slippery in places and uneven. You would be able to admire the impressive gorge and village from the ground though which is still unbelievably beautiful.

How to get up Jacobs Ladder for free

If you’re seeking the majestic vistas from the Jacobs Ladder side of the gorge. Don’t believe that you have to buy a Jacobs Ladder ticket to gain access!

It’s a little cheeky as they advertise that your ticket gives you access to Jacobs Ladder, along with the look out tower and the cliff top walk. When in fact, there is an entirely free route you can take to get up this side of the gorge. Meaning all you’re really paying for is to walk up the 274 steep steps of Jacobs Ladder.

Even with this free route, you can still do Jacobs Ladder. Just instead of the heart pumping assent, you can take a leisurely stroll down Jacobs Ladder for free instead. It’s far easier than the trek up!

So, if you want to save a little bit of money. Swerve Jacobs Ladder, walk this way instead to do it all for free!

Where to start the free route to Jacobs Ladder in Cheddar!

Follow the main road further down into Cheddar village, taking a hairpin left turn onto St.Andrews road.

Begin the up hill assent along the road called The Lippiatt. Then turn left on to Lynch Lane, and continue walking along the uphill track, eventually you’ll see a small path on your left. A trusty National Trust sign points you in the right direction as you head straight into an enchanting woodland trail.

Follow this sheltered trail under a canopy of trees, until you come out beneath a tree that almost faces the Cheddar lookout tower.

It’s as simple as that!

Walk up the Cheddar Gorge look out tower

Now that you’re up here, head up the 14 meter bright green look out tower for impressive panoramic views over the Somerset levels.

This lookout tower has a total of 47 steps zig-zagging their way to the top. It’s very narrow inside and can sometimes create a bit of a bottle neck situation. You may have to hold back and wait for some people to exit before you can climb up.

Etched into the construction of the tower, you’ll see some of the UK’s famous landmarks or locations. It also displays their distance for you to try and spot.

Cliff top walk

Head back down the tower on to solid ground, take your time as the steps aren’t overly deep! Especially when you have chunky walking boots on, it can leave the steps feeling rather slim under foot.

Follow the track uphill, walking past the steps of Jacobs Ladder where you’ll see lots of people trying to catch their breath at the top. You’ll arrive at a wooden gate, which is where you can begin the ascent up the gorge cliff top walk. Follow the uneven path and continue heading skyward.

The majority of this walk feels much further from the cliff edge in comparison to the walk on the opposite side of the gorge.

Want a longer walk?

You could always do this route and the other side in the same day if you’re after a longer walk. After all, you’ll never get tired of these incredible views. Or head over to some other lovely Somerset walks, i’ll leave some suggestions linked below.

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