Exploring The Tarka Trail

“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.”

The Tarka Trail exists as a 180 mile figure-of-eight, dual purpose pedestrian footpath and cycle way. It runs through landscapes little changed from those described in the classic 1927 novel Tarka the Otter by Henry Williamson.

Walking or cycling the Tarka Trail is a fantastic and environmentally friendly way to explore North Devon’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve from the coast. The trail runs through deeply incised river valleys with ancient tangled woodland to the productive farmland and moorland higher up the catchments.

The Trail passes through towns such as Lynmouth, Barnstaple, Bideford, Torrington, Okehampton and Ilfracombe. Parts of it coincide with the South West Coast Path, the Two Moors Way and the Dartmoor Way.

Bike hire is available at various locations along the Tarka Trail such as Braunton, Barnstaple, Bideford, Torrington, and Ilfracombe.

There are even sections suitable to horse riding.

The Tarka Trail features as one of the Independent newspaper’s “50 Best Family Days Out”.

Online Map

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/tarka-trail

Download Printable Map

Map, useful contacts, cycle hire shops, train information [pdf 1.7mb]