The Tarka Trail

 

The Tarka Trail is a pedestrian and cycle way that runs in a 180 mile figure-of-eight through landscapes little changed from those described by Henry Williamson in his classic 1927 novel Tarka the Otter. It passes through towns such as Lynmouth, Barnstaple, Bideford, Torrington, Okehampton and Ilfracombe and parts of it coincide with the South West Coast Path, the Two Moors Way and the Dartmoor Way.  Tarka Trail - Devon County Council.

The 30 mile stretch between Meeth and Braunton runs along the line of an old railway and is part of the National Cycle Network (routes 27, Devon Coast to Coast and 3, West Country Way) and totally traffic free. Along this stretch, interpretation boards and other information help you discover the heritage, culture and natural features you can see on way. Horses are welcome on the trail between Torrington (Puffing Billy) and Meeth. Tarka Trail (Braunton to Meeth) leaflet. Railways in North Devon fact sheet.

Guidance

• All users
• Horse riders
• Tarka Trail summer and winter cuts - how to avoid punctures and stay safe

Did you know that the old London and South West Railway route now used as the Tarka Trail replaced the older Rolle Canal built less than 40 years earlier. Rolle Canal Society

Tarka Trail Audio

Along the Tarka Trail cycle route there are 21 discovery posts with information on the history and wildlife of the Trail and the places it passes through. Location map

Download audio files on your MP3/MP4 player that correspond to the discovery posts or just listen to them on your computer.

Wildlife along the trail

There are many valuable habitats beside the cycle track including estuary mud flats and salt marsh, oak woodland, hazel coppice, hedges, ponds, streams, ditches, meadows and Culm grasslands. All these habitats need management whether it is cutting coppice, clearing out ponds, laying hedges or mowing meadows. The Coast and Countryside Service manage these habitats and volunteer groups are fequently involved with these tasks. More on Biosphere Reserve wildlife

When/where to see glow worms on the Tarka Trail (Click "tips" tab)

Art along the trail

There are a number of art installations - benches, waymarkers and shelters along the Tarka Trail between Okehampton and Barnstaple comissioned in partnership with the cycling charity SUSTRANS.

Other artworks have also been comissioned in other parts of the Biosphere Reserve as part of an Art in the Landscape initiative to demonstrate how the arts can be used as a tool to tackle issues such as regenerating and understanding our environment and the communities that inhabit it. A publication documenting the pilot projects is available from Northern Devon Coast and Countryside Service.