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You are here > Explore > Tarka Trail

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Tarka Trail North Devon

The Tarka Trail is one of the country's longest continuous traffic-free walking and cycling paths, and forms part of the Devon Coast to Coast Cycle Route.

Follow in Tarka’s footsteps

Inspired by Henry Williamson’s much loved novel ‘Tarka the Otter’, this 163 miles/261kms recreation route follows Tarka’s journey in a figure of eight, through the northern part of the county. The route can be followed on foot or by bike and is a fabulous way for the whole family to visit some of the places mentioned in the original novel.

The Trail takes you through an ever-changing variety of some of the wonderful Devon scenery described in the book, including tranquil countryside, wooded river valleys, rugged moorland and dramatic coast and is a wonderful and sustainable way to explore this area.

Comprehensively waymarked, the walk varies from easy to challenging and there are plenty of different routes for you to take making it a new adventure every single time. Short sections of the trail and circular walks from it are ideal for day and half-day excursions. The terrain is a mixture, with some challenging sections and some flat, off road sections, making it suitable for a wide range of visitors.

Where to pick up the route

The entire route is centered around the town of Barnstaple, the largest town in the region and takes in areas of Exmoor, the Valley of the Rocks and the coastline. If the town is mentioned in the book, you can likely access it along the trail as many of the locations featured in the original novel are real life places. You can pick up the route at various points across the county, the Trail passes through the towns of Lynmouth, Barnstaple, Bideford, Torrington, Okehampton and Ilfracombe and parts of it coincide with the South West Coast Path, the Two Moors Way and the Dartmoor Way, giving you plenty of chances to explore. There are also a number of short circular routes that are located alongside the main north and south Tarka Trail route which are designed to take a couple of hours, allowing you to explore the villages and points of interest along the trail while not spending all day.

The trail has a north loop that runs from Barnstaple through to the areas of Braunton, Croyde, Ilfracombe, Combe Martin and Lynmouth and then returning to Barnstaple.
Alternatively, the south loop runs from Barnstaple through to Bideford, where you can find Hatherleigh, Okehampton, North Tawnton and Eggesford. You can then return to Barnstaple using the Tarka Line train.

Facilities

When planning a trip to the Tarka Trail, make sure to take note of the facilities along the route. You’ll find shops, restaurants, pubs and public toilets at all the towns and villages along the route as well as places to stay. Some of the towns also have defibrillators and access to health care professionals, should you need medical assistance during your visit.

Check the local listings for the public transport times for journeys along the Tarka Line.

For more information on the Tarka Trail, including maps, routes and the various points where you can join the trail, visit the official site, https://www.tarkatrail.org.uk/

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  1. Segway

    Add EasiGlide North Devon Segway Experience to your Itinerary

    EasiGlide North Devon Segway Experience

    Ilfracombe

    EasiGlide North Devon Segway Experience is a great fun family activity where you get to try your skills on the very latest EasiGlide Segways whilst taking in the beautiful…

  2. Sark Guest House

    Add Sark Guest House to your Itinerary

    Sark Guest House

    Barnstaple

    Sark is a pleasant Victorian property, it is situated 10 minutes walk from the town centre

  3. Darnley hotel exterior

    Add The Darnley Hotel to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - from 104 review(s)from 104 review(s)

    The Darnley Hotel

    Ilfracombe

    An independently family run establishment.

  4. Little Bray House

    Add Little Bray House to your Itinerary

    Little Bray House

    Barnstaple

    Little bray house is 9 miles east of barnstaple and only 3 miles from exmoor national park.

  5. Lower Hearson Farm

    Add Lower Hearson Farm to your Itinerary

    Lower Hearson Farm

    Barnstaple

    Come and Relax on our small family run farm where you can join in with feeding the animals if you want to. An opportunity to create special memories that will last a lifetime…

  6. The Old Vicarage

    Add The Old Vicarage, Barnstaple to your Itinerary

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - from 339 review(s)from 339 review(s)

    The Old Vicarage, Barnstaple

    Barnstaple

    The Old Vicarage is a delightful early Victorian house with many original features, spacious guest rooms, and modern en-suites set within its own peaceful garden only a few…

  7. Stay In Devon

    Add Stay In Devon to your Itinerary

    Stay In Devon

    Devon is a beautiful county and so it isn’t surprising that so many people want to stay there, we’re committed to making sure that our guests have the best possible…

  8. Nature's nutrition

    Add Nature's Nutrition to your Itinerary

    Nature's Nutrition

    Bideford

    Nature’s Nutrition is nestled in the small busy town of Bideford along the pedestrianised section of Mill Street. We are a small, co-operative shop providing a vast choice to…

  9. ndft rolys fudge

    Add Roly's Fudge to your Itinerary

    Roly's Fudge

    Ilfracombe

    Roly's Fudge makes crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth handmade fudge in full view of customers, using a traditional West Country recipe.

  10. glen devon dining room

    Add Glen Devon Hotel to your Itinerary

    Glen Devon Hotel

    Ilfracombe

    Welcome to the Glen Devon Hotel based in the beautiful area of Ilfracombe.

    This family-run hotel is centrally located in a quiet position with beautiful sea and coastal…

  11. tarka cycle hire

    Add Tarka Cycle Hire to your Itinerary

    Tarka Cycle Hire

    Barnstaple

    John & Margaret Kempson started Tarka Trail Cycle Hire in 1989, shortly after the disused Barnstaple to Bideford line was converted for recreational use and given the…

  12. exterior of the cottage

    Add Animal Ark Cottages to your Itinerary

    Animal Ark Cottages

    Nr Barnstaple

    Picturesque character self catering cottages, set in 4 acres of semi-rural countryside in the quiet hamlet of Kerscott, Swimbridge, North Devon.

  13. Wootton Manor B&B

    Add Wootton Manor B&B to your Itinerary

    Wootton Manor B&B

    Umberleigh

    Wootton Manor is a 16th Century Manor House found at the end of a half mile long private lane in the heart of rural North Devon with far reaching views to Exmoor National…

  14. backpackers hostel

    Add Ocean Backpackers Hostel to your Itinerary

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - from 175 review(s)from 175 review(s)

    Ocean Backpackers Hostel

    Ilfracombe

    Ocean Backpackers is situated close to the picturesque Harbour in Ilfracombe. This cool, clean and friendly Independent Youth Hostel offers excellent facilities for walkers,…

  15. Poached eggs

    Add Carlton Hotel: Club Bar & Brasserie to your Itinerary

    Carlton Hotel: Club Bar & Brasserie

    Ilfracombe

    This newly refurbished brasserie is the perfect setting to enjoy a meal, freshly prepared using some of the best local produce around. Being so close to the sea, fish is of…

  16. ndft country life brewery

    Add Country Life Brewery to your Itinerary

    Country Life Brewery

    BIDEFORD

    Established in 1998, using the brew plant from Lundy Island, the brewery was originally located at the families’ pub near Westward Ho! The Brewery moved to The Big Sheep in…

  17. ndft walrus fisheries

    Add Walrus Fisheries to your Itinerary

    Walrus Fisheries

    Ilfracombe

    A long running family business, Walrus Fisheries fish the North Devon coast for lobster, brown crab and spider crab and provide restaurants, fish mongers and private…

  18. outside

    Add Raleigh Lodge to your Itinerary

    Raleigh Lodge

    Bideford

    Peace and Quiet in Rural North Devon. Raleigh Lodge is a peaceful 1 bedroom holiday cottage nestled in the beautiful rural countryside of North Devon.

  19. Epchris House

    Add Epchris House to your Itinerary

    Epchris House

    Ilfracombe

    A beautiful Georgian guest house, with nearly 2 acres of stunning gardens and a sun terrace for outdoor drinks and dining. Epchris house is located in the highly-sought…

  20. outdoor seating

    Add Raleigh Barn to your Itinerary

    Raleigh Barn

    Bideford

    Peace and Quiet in Rural North Devon

    Raleigh Barn is a peaceful 2 bedroom holiday cottage nestled in the beautiful rural countryside of North Devon.

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