Tarka Trail cycle route overall rating:
(Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of)
The Tarka Trail in North Devon follows a disused railway that once linked Barnstaple to Hatherleigh, and onwards. It’s a very well-known traffic-free route, set in a stunning natural environment. The trail is flat all the way from Braunton to Great Torrington, then a gradual uphill almost to the delightful Yarde Orchard. It also forms part of the Devon Coast To Coast route (NCN 27).
Thousands of cyclists cycle this route each year, and most of them never leave the trail itself. When you cycle the Tarka Trail, do get off the trail first at Instow, which has some nice shops and a stunning beach. It is a delightful route, full of hidden surprises and breath-taking views. Less well known than the Camel Trail in Cornwall, I believe the Tarka Trail to be far better, offering some of the best traffic-free cycling to be had in the UK.
Bike hire is available in Barnstaple, Bideford and Great Torrington.
Please note that this guide excludes the section of the Tarka Trail between Ilfracombe and , as though traffic-free, that is currently free-standing and not directly connected to the rest of the Tarka Trail.
Surface on the Tarka Trail
Almost the entire stretch covered by this route guide is tarred, though the quality of tar does vary. In places it’s showing its age, and is bumpy.
Some distance after the Puffing Billy, Great Torrington, it becomes unsealed. The last 2.75 miles is unsealed, but remains an easy surface to ride on all year round.
Bikes
You can use any type of bike on the Tarka Trail, including trikes and cargo bikes.
Toilets
There are toilets at Barnstaple station, at Fremington Quay, Instow (off the trail, at a pub), Bideford (pub on the trail, but down stairs), Great Torrington (Puffing Billy) and finally at Yarde Orchard.
Refreshments
There are refreshments available at Barnstaple station, at Fremington Quay, at Instow (off the trail), and at some points along the trail between Instow and Bideford. With the exception of the coffee bike, those are all off the trail itself.
There are also refreshments in Barnstaple (the old train carriage), and the Puffing Billy and directly opposite, at Torrington Cycle Hire, and also at Yarde Orchard.
Child friendliness
Most f the route is suitable for even young kids to cycle, but there are a few places where they will require close supervision, mainly due to proximity of water.
Points of Interest
The Taw and Torridge Estuary is stunning, and a rich have for wildlife.
Along most of the Tarka Trail there are distinctive posts, displaying a QR code. Scanning these will allow you to download an MP3 file, which tells you more about the immediate surrounding area.
Routes in Devon
- Dart Valley Cycleway
- DayCycle – A Redlake adventure
- DayCycle – Dawlish to Exeter St Davids
- DayCycle – Grand Western Canal
- DayCycle – Stover Trail & Wray Valley Trail
- DayCycle – Tarka Trail
- Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton
- Family-friendly Cycling on Drake’s Trail
- Family-friendly Cycling On The Granite Way
- Nun’s Cross Trail cycle route
- Princetown Railway traffic-free cycle route
- Saltram Loop traffic-free cycle route
- Tarka Trail – Barnstaple to Braunton
- Tarka Trail – Ilfracombe to Willingcott
- The Exe Estuary cycle route to Exmouth
Barriers
There are chicane barriers at Fremington Quay, though they’re manageable in a wheelchair, a mobility scooter and many cargo bikes.
It is possible to go around the barriers, by diverting along the path to the waterside, then cutting back across the grass.
Hilliness
The route is either flat, or has very mild gradients.
Safety from traffic
Social safety
Parts of the route are very remote, even during the high season.
What the Tarka Trail looks like
Getting there
You can get to Barnstaple by train, along the Tarka branch line from Exter St David’s, so you can easily get to the Tarka Trail car-free, by taking your bike on the train. As ever, read my Bikes On Trains guide for useful and helpful tips for taking your bike on the train.
If you’re driving to the Tarka Trail, there is free parking by the Puffing Billy, just outside Great Torrington. There is a dedicated, pay and display car park by the train station in Barnstaple.
More Routes
To find more routes, click this link.
DayCycle
DayCycle routes are routes can can easily be cycled by most people in a day, or part of a day. Do have a look at all the other DayCycle routes available on WillCycle. Many contain detailed route guides, as well as embedded maps (like the one below).
You can download the GPX file from the map below, simply by clicking the GPX button. Hovering over the elevation profile will show the elevation for that point along the route, in both metres and feet. It will also show the gradient.
And finally…
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