Zigzag footpath

The Zigzag footpath climbs out of Minehead with the sort of determination you'd expect from a Victorian engineer who couldn't be bothered with a straight route. It's exactly what the name suggests - a steep, switchback trail that winds its way up the hillside in a series of tight hairpin turns, gaining altitude without ever quite letting you catch your breath. The path itself is well-trodden and reasonably maintained, though your legs will know about it by the top.

Walkers get the most from this one. It's not a gentle amble - expect it to take a solid hour to reach the summit, longer if you stop for photographs or to recover. The views back towards Minehead and the coast justify the effort, and on a clear day you can see right across the Bristol Channel. Kids over about ten will manage it fine if they're used to hills; younger ones might find the gradient tedious before halfway.

It's free, naturally, and accessible year-round. The Exmoor moorland at the top is the real reward - proper open country with space to breathe. If you're based at Butlins Minehead or Minehead Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite just down the road, this makes for a proper morning's work without needing to drive anywhere. Hoburne Blue Anchor and Warren Bay are within striking distance too. The zigzag isn't a destination in itself, but as part of an Exmoor walking holiday, it's an honest, no-nonsense climb that doesn't pretend to be anything it's not.