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Walking vs Cycling, What’s the Best Way to Explore the Tarka Trail?

Encompassing a total of 180 miles, this figure of 8-shaped, traffic-free route is one of North Devon’s most popular paths. Inspired by the fictional character Tarka the Otter, the route follows the intrepid otter's journey.Beginning and ending in Barnstaple, the Tarka Trail winds its way through wild coastline, woodland and moorland, taking in some of the most spectacular scenery in Devon, including the Taw-Torridge Estuary, the Valley of Rocks, and Crow Point. The Tarka Trail can be explored wholly on foot, with a 32-mile stretch of shared-use path that’s perfect for cycling. Whether you prefer to step out or utilise pedal power, let’s discover the best way to navigate the Tarka Trail.

The Best Ways to Explore the Tarka Trail

The Tarka Trail’s terrain is wonderfully varied and includes rugged coastal paths, wild woodland and (good news for cyclists) smooth, even paths. All 180 miles of the trail can be walked, and there’s a 32-mile section that’s ideal for cyclists. Keep reading to find out whether it’s better to walk or cycle North Devon’s famous trail.

Walking the Tarka Trail

Walking is the easiest way to explore the Tarka Trail. Although the path begins and ends in Barnstaple, you can pick the path up along several points, including Braunton, Fremington Quay, Instow, Torrington, Bideford and Meeth. You can complete shorter, circular walks or all-day treks, exploring the many towns and villages along the way.The Tarka Trail’s terrain is mixed and includes steep coastal paths, moorland and woodland.Walking the trail offers many advantages; you can scramble along small paths, take detours across rugged terrain and start and finish the trail wherever you like.

Cycling the Tarka Trail

Although you can’t ride the entire Tarka Trail, you can pedal a 32-mile section between Braunton and Meeth. The longest, traffic-free cycle route in the UK, this mainly flat section is perfect for cyclists of all ages and abilities, providing a smooth and super scenic journey.The cycle route passes the River Taw and the River Torridge and, if you cycle the full route,you’ll see estuaries, woodland, meadows and streams brimming with wildlife.

The main advantage of cycling over walking is that you can cover more ground, letting you view more of North Devon’s incredible landscape at whatever pace suits you.

Tarka Trail Bike Hire

There are plenty of bike hire shops along the shared-use trail and at all the main start points including Braunton, Barnstaple, Bideford and Torrington.

The Best Sections for Walking

The Tarka Trail meanders through a range of varied scenery and includes sections of the South West Coastal Path. The North loop of the trail passes through Barnstaple, through Exmoor National Park, up to Lynton and along the coastal path back down towards Barnstaple. Walking the whole North loop will take around 6 days. Here are some of the
standout sections:

The Valley of Rocks Barnstaple to Lynton via Exmoor Woolacombe to Crow Point

This shorter section of the trail includes two of Devon’s most famous surfing beaches, Woolacombe and Croyde, and you can venture out to Baggy Point, a National Trust-owned headland with spectacular views towards Lundy Island. Part of the Braunton Burrows nature reserve, Crow Point is a haven for wildlife, particularly birds. It’s also one of the quieter sections of the trail.

The Best Sections for Cycling

The section of the Tarka Trail between Braunton and Meeth is shared-use, and the whole path is a bike rider’s dream. Smooth, mostly flat tarmac surfaces mean easy cycling, and you can choose from straighter or more meandering sections.

Braunton to Great Torrington Great Torrington to Meeth

Our Verdict

So, what’s the best way to explore the Tarka Trail? If you want to take your time, walking is ideal for savouring the beautiful Devon scenery, and you can pick up the path at a number ofpoints. Cycling is a relaxing way to tackle the Tarka and you’ll cover much more ground. If you’ve got kids in tow, they’ll enjoy riding their bikes along the flatter routes.We recommend a mixture of both, enabling you to take in the more rugged coastal scenery on foot and embrace the flatter, picturesque sections of the southern loop by bicycle.

Situated near Barnstaple, Northcote Manor is the perfect base for exploring the Tarka Trail and North Devon. With elegantly appointed bedrooms, an award-winning restaurant and a state-of-the-art spa, experience country house hotel hospitality at its finest.

Take advantage of our exclusive Tarka Trail package this summer and indulge in a treat for the senses after a day’s walking or exploring. Put your feet up, relax and let us do the rest.