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Barnstaple - Lynmouth

Distance: 30 miles
Difficulty: Moderate/Hard
End points:
- Barnstaple (Grid Ref SS555325)
- Lynmouth (Grid Ref SS724495)

Leaving Barnstaple along the Taw, paths then lead away between villages over a quiet and beautiful countryside until Exmoor is reached near the village of Brayford. The route now crosses Exmoor, mostly on good paths and tracks, but no facilities will be passed for nearly 15 miles, so walkers must make sure they are prepared. However, the landscape is stunning, and culminates in the descent to the sea at Lynmouth with views over the spectacular wooded valleys converging on the town.

Mileages between towns on route:
Barnstaple - Bishop's Tawton: 2 miles
Bishop's Tawton - Landkey: 2 miles
Landkey - West Buckland: 5.5 miles
West Buckland - Holewater [near Brayford]: 5.5 miles
Holewater - Lynmouth: 15 miles

Public Transport: Buses at Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton, Landkey, Brayford [occasional], Lynmouth; trains at Barnstaple.

Relevant maps/guides: 1: 25,000 scale Explorer no. 139 Bideford, Ilfracombe and Barnstaple; OL9 Exmoor. 1:50,000 scale: Landranger no.180 Barnstaple and Ilfracombe

Facilities along route: All facilities at Barnstaple and Lynmouth: pubs at Bishops Tawton, Landkey, West Buckland; shops at Bishops Tawton, Landkey, West Buckland.