Dunkery Gate up Dunkery Beacon: route map, distance and time
520 m · South Central England · OS grid SS891415
Dunkery Beacon is the highest point on Exmoor and in Somerset, a heather moor summit with a large cairn and short paths from the road.
A wide stony track climbs through heather to the summit cairn.
Dunkery Gate at a glance
| Distance | 1.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 134 m |
| Time up | 0h 25m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 0h 40m, down the same way |
| Grade | Easy |
| Start | Dunkery Gate roadside parking |
| Start grid reference | SS 895 405 |
| Summit grid reference | SS891415 |
Dunkery Gate map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
How long Dunkery Gate takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 0h 20m | 0h 35m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 0h 25m | 0h 40m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 0h 35m | 0h 50m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:43, sunset 18:15. Start by 16:35 to be down before dark, allowing 0h 40m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:44, sunset 18:13. Start by 16:33 to be down before dark, allowing 0h 40m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Dunkery Beacon summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Overcast, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 2°C, summit wind 15 mph gusting 25 mph, 4% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:43, sunset 18:15.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Moderate rain, up to 9°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 2°C, summit wind 18 mph gusting 26 mph, 91% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:44, sunset 18:13.
Best day of the next seven for Dunkery Gate: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 25 mph and a 4% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Dunkery Beacon forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Dunkery Beacon?
What to take today
- A warm layer, hat and gloves: it feels like 2°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Dunkery Beacon
Dunkery Beacon is the highest point on Exmoor and in Somerset, a heather moor summit with a large cairn and short paths from the road. More about Dunkery Beacon, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Marilyn, historic county top, county top.
Challenges that include Dunkery Beacon
Other routes up Dunkery Beacon
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Webber's Post | 3.2 km one way | 294 m | 1h 10m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SS 895 405, the summit at SS891415), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Dunkery Gate: questions and answers
How far is Dunkery Gate?
Dunkery Gate is 1.1 km one way to the summit of Dunkery Beacon, with 134 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 2.2 km.
How long does Dunkery Gate take?
About 0h 25m to the summit of Dunkery Beacon and 0h 40m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 0h 50m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Dunkery Gate?
Dunkery Gate starts from Dunkery Gate roadside parking. The grid reference is SS 895 405.
Is Dunkery Gate suitable for beginners?
Yes. Peakify grades it Easy: a fit beginner can walk it on a clear day. Take a map, warm layers and waterproofs all the same.
What time should I start Dunkery Gate today?
By 16:35 at the latest. Sunset on Dunkery Beacon today is 18:15, Dunkery Gate takes about 0h 40m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Dunkery Gate?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).