Bideford To Barnstaple Tarka Trail

The tarka trail is a 180 mile figure of eight walking and cycling trail that follows the route travelled by tarka the otter in the famous novel by henry williamson.

Bideford to barnstaple tarka trail. The tarka trail is named after henry williamson s famous novel tarka the otter. There is ample parking right in the village centre very close to the start of the 30 mile section of tarmacked tarka trail that follows the route of the old railway into barnstaple and then back out to bideford and finally onto meeth. You can also find food drink accommodation and activities along the way. The story was based around many of the locations along the trail which follows the route of a disused railway line between braunton and meeth.

A completely car free route for use by walkers cyclists and horse. Bideford is a bustling market town with cafes arts and crafts shops vintage and antique shops and plenty of cafes restaurants and pubs for refreshment. What is the tarka trail. Our favourite route is out to fremington quay 3 miles from barnstaple then instow 6 miles from barnstaple and on to bideford 9 miles from barnstaple.

See larger version 0 5mb. The tarka trail in its entirety is a 290km figure 8 shaped long distance route centered roughly on the town of barnstaple in north devon. These are great places to stop off for refreshments as they have lots of cafes and restaurants. The tarka trail is a 30 mile route on the national cycle network connecting braunton to meeth via barnstaple.

This interactive map can be used to plan your visit. Passing instow and bideford. Route sections are marked out giving distance and gradient information. Our guide book focusses on the shared use section between braunton and meeth.

The bridge features in the town s heritage trail which takes you on a guided historical tour of the town. It encompasses roads footpaths bridleways and cycleways. The tarka trail will take you through ancient villages wooded valleys along the banks of rivers high over moorland with spectacular views of dartmoor and exmoor and along dramatic sea cliffs and vast. Tarka trail route sections.

Situated between the two towns of barnstaple and bideford is the beautiful historic fishing village of instow. Bideford railway museum on the level traffic free and on the level this section of the 180 mile tarka trail runs betwixt the b3233 and the river torridge on what was once the old bideford to barnstaple railway line. Then head out on the tarka trail. Welcome to tarka trail cycle hire based in barnstaple north devon.