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Tarka Trail

78.9 miles (127 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This wonderful walk through Devon follows the path taken by Tarka the Otter in the book of that name. It is a circular walk starting and finishing in Barnstaple on the River Taw. After following the river for a short section you will head through Landkey Newton and East Buckland to the Exmoor National Park. The route then reaches Lynmouth where a splendid coastal section that takes you through Ilfracombe, Woolacombe and Croyde. The final section follows the estuary of the River Taw through Braunton and then back into Barnstaple. This part of the route passes the beautiful Braunton Burrows Nature Reserve.
The reserve covers nearly 900 hectares making it the second largest dune system in England.
Please click here for more information.

Tarka Trail OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Tarka Trail Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

Instow is a pleasant place to stop off for some refreshments. The Boathouse is in an excellent spot overlooking the beach and the river here. They serve great seafood which you can enjoy from the splendid ‘Top Deck’ terrace. You can find them on Marine Parade at postcode EX39 4JJ.
The village is worthy of exploration with features including a lovely riverside beach and a church dating back to the 13th century

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Just to the south of Barnstaple the trail passes very close to Codden Hill at Bishop's Tawton. You could take a small detour from the route to climb to the summit where you'll find the monument to Caroline Thorpe, wife of local MP Jeremy Thorpe who became embroiled in the Thorpe scandal of the 1970s. There's also some splendid views over the area and waterside trails along the pretty Venn Stream to enjoy in this area.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

Tarka Trail near Barnstaple

The Tarka Trail to the west of Barnstaple, Devon. This section of the Tarka Trail runs along the bed of the former Barnstaple to Torrington Line, and also carries the South West Coast Path.

Tarka Trail on Clay Moor

The Tarka Trail, passing through woodland near the clay works on Clay Moor near Peters Marland, Devon.

Tarka Trail - geograph.org.uk - 569721

The trail, combining footpath and cycleway (National Cycle Route 3), follows the former track of the North Devon and Cornwall Junction Light Railway across Bury Moors.

Tarka Trail - geograph.org.uk - 445750

Tarka Trail Exmoor National Park

Sculpture by Tarka Trail - geograph.org.uk - 37946

Sculpture by Tarka Trail. In the background is Instow. The Tarka Trail uses the old railway line around the Taw & Torridge estuaries.

Tarka Trail - geograph.org.uk - 465258

The long-distance footpath just after turning off the lane south of Iddesleigh alongside a stream near Devon Lodge.

Tarka Trail - geograph.org.uk - 1346681

The trail, NCN27, and the South West Coast Path follow Ashford Footpath 13 along the line of the old Barnstaple-Braunton railway line, running beside the Taw estuary, and here passing a sewage works hidden on the right.

Tarka Trail - geograph.org.uk - 1519558

The path heading north on the east side of the East Oakmount or East Okement valley.

Elevation Profile

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Tarka Trail.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Tarka Trail.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)