Croyde to Braunton Walk

10 miles (16.1 km)

This walk follows a section of the South West Coast Path from Croyde to Braunton via the Braunton Burrows Nature Reserve. The 10 mile route starts in Croyde and heads to Saunton Down before skirting the eastern edge of Braunton Burrows.... The last section runs along the River Taw and Torridge Estuary, following the Tarka Trail north along the River Caen into Braunton.
Leaving Croyde, the route climbs onto Saunton Down where there are superb views across Croyde Bay, Saunton Sands and the long sweep of the North Devon coast. The down forms part of the North Devon Coast National Landscape and provides an excellent vantage point over one of England's finest surfing coastlines. Further information on this protected landscape can be found on the North Devon National Landscape website.
The walk then skirts the eastern edge of Braunton Burrows, one of the largest sand dune systems in Britain and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve core area. The dunes support an exceptional variety of plants and insects, including many rare orchids and butterflies, and are recognised internationally for their wildlife importance. More information on the reserve and its habitats can be found through the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The final section follows the Taw and Torridge Estuary, where mudflats, saltmarsh and grazing marsh provide important habitats for wintering and migratory birds. The traffic-free Tarka Trail then follows the River Caen into Braunton, one of the largest villages in England and a traditional centre for exploring the North Devon coast. The village has a long history linked to farming, maritime trade and the surrounding dune landscape, and provides an attractive finish to this varied walk combining coastal scenery, internationally important nature reserves and estuary views