Mardon Down above Moretonhampstead

A 3.2-mile circuit of a broad heather and gorse common on the eastern edge of the moor, an hour and three quarters with 160 metres of climbing on moor grass tracks, a short lane and one stony descent, taking in the Headless Cross and a stone circle. Park on the wide verge at the cattle grid where the Moretonhampstead to Clifford Bridge lane crosses the down, which is free and holds a dozen or so cars, or walk up from the town square in twenty-five minutes. This is common grazing so sheep, cattle and the odd pony are always somewhere on it and the 1 March to 31 July lead rule applies to the access land, there are no stiles anywhere on the route, and the only water is a boggy runnel on the north side, so bring a bottle.