Tarka Trail Cycleway Braunton to Meeth

Distance: 32 miles
Difficulty: Variable
End points: Braunton (Grid Ref SS 487 365)
Meeth (Grid Ref SS 548 082 ).

Stretching over 32miles/52km from Braunton to Barnstaple, then to Instow, Bideford, Great Torrington and on to Meeth. Entirely traffic free, this section of the ‘Devon Coast to Coast’ is known as the Tarka Trail Cycleway as it follows the journey of Tarka the Otter in the classic tale written by Henry Williamson.

The route can be broken up into easily managed sections for shorter rides. It is also part of the National Cycle Network (NCN) ‘Devon Coast to Coast’ Route 27, the complete 102 mile route runs between Ilfracombe on the north Devon coast to Plymouth on the south coast.

Relevant maps/guides: Explorer (1:25,000) No. 139 Bideford, Ilfracombe and Barnstaple, No. 126 Clovelly and Hartland, No. 113 Okehampton; Landranger (1:50,000) No. 180 Barnstaple, No. 191 Okehampton and North Dartmoor
Facilities along route: Refreshments available at Braunton, Barnstaple, Fremington, Instow, Bideford, Great Torrington, East Yarde, Meeth. Cycle hire in Braunton, Barnstaple Station, Fremington, Instow, Bideford, Torrington Old Station

The route passes by the Barnstaple Heritage Centre, UNESCO Braunton Burrows and RHS Garden Rosemoor, Torrington. The last section from Petrockstowe Old Station to Meeth is a real treat, winding through the edge of mixed woodland.

Theme: Country, Coast, Nature, Bird Watching, Literary,
Style of route: Traffic Free, Mountain Biking, On Road, Off Road,
Area: North Devon, Torridge.