Tarka Trail

Landscape Rides

Cycle legal public tracks for exploration of the stunning south west Protected Landscapes.
Trailhubs

One or more graded and way-marked off-road cycling trails with visitor facilities.
Promoted Routes

Traffic-free cycling routes promoted by Local Authorities with bike hire. Occasional road sections — check route details.

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K E Y

32 miles of the Tarka Trail are available to cycle from Braunton to Meeth, via Barnstaple, Bideford and Great Torrington, on mostly level, off-road routes using disused railway lines. There are great views to be had of both the Taw and Torridge estuaries and inlets, along with their wildlife as tranquil stretches meander deeper into the stunning countryside.

You can find bike hire and bike shops in Braunton, Barnstaple Station, Fremington, Bideford and Torrington Old Station.

The trail forms the northern half of the National Cycle Network (NCN) route 27, known as the Devon Coast to Coast trail. It also forms part of NCN 3, the Westcountry Way.

How to get there:

Combine your cycle ride with the Surf and Bike Bus which runs between June and October and provides an affordable method of travel bewteen Barnstaple, Braunton, Saunton, Croyde, Georgeham Cross, Woolacombe and Ilfracombe. The downstairs of the double-decker bus has been converted to racking that is suitable for storing surf boards and bicycles with the upstairs providing seating for up to 47 passengers.

You can start this trail from several points, including Braunton, Barnstaple, Bideford and Great Torrington, all of which are accessible from the A361, A377, A386 or A39. There are good links to the train station in Barnstaple.

Find out more on the Devon County Council website.

About

We want you to have a great adventure in the South West of England.

Read on to find out how we can help you…

Bike wheels lined up The Trail Essentials guide gives you the important things to know before you head out on your bike. Please read and enjoy it. The Project promotes legal, sustainable and responsible riding only. The future development of off-road cycling in the south west is in your hands – treat it carefully and it will grow!

To have a truly enjoyable experience it is really important to match a cycling adventure with the skill, knowledge and fitness level of the people taking part - we can’t stress this enough! We provide you with information to use in deciding which adventures you will enjoy, and which you will leave for another day!

If you haven’t already, take a look at the Trail Grading guide on our website and see which one you feel you fit into. Then search the map which grades of trail we would recommend for your experience level.

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