The East Lyn River cuts a steep, wooded gorge through northern Exmoor from Malmsmead to Watersmeet and on to Lynmouth at the coast. Walking the valley from Brendon is one of the finest half-day walks in southwest England: the path follows the river through ancient oak woodland, past waterfalls, and over stone footbridges, with views up to open moorland above.
From Brendon the walk downstream reaches Watersmeet in about two miles. The National Trust has a refreshment house there, open in season, where two rivers meet in a V-shaped gorge. Continuing to Lynmouth adds another two miles of increasingly dramatic scenery before the river drops to the sea.