Things to Do in Devon

Tarka Trail (Braunton to Meeth)

Tarka Trail (Braunton to Meeth)
4.5
About
The Tarka Trail is a pedestrian and cycle way within the North Devon Biosphere Reserve. This page is for the 48km, shared-use section between Braunton and Meeth which runs along the line of an old railway. It is part of the National Cycle Network and totally traffic free. Along this stretch, interpretation boards and other information help you discover the heritage, culture and natural features you can see. Horses are also welcome between Torrington (Servis bridleway) and Meeth. Further detailed information, including maps can be found in the Tarka Trail Guide available online from the website and in local bookshops, museums and Tourist Information Centres.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles252 reviews
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201
Very good
40
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4
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5

nicholasbailey
Bideford, UK2 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021 • Couples
As a local resident I am getting increasingly concerned that The Tarka Trail has now assumed the status of a cycle trail with we pedestrians increasingly sidelined. Very rarely are bells rung, if your “lucky” you may get a shouted warning as bikes whizz by. It would seem that if your a cyclist you can not only ride as fast as you can peddle but also two, sometimes, three abreast whilst we walkers are forced to ambulate single file. Dog walkers have exactly the same problem! Whilst I fully appreciate hiring out bikes is a good money spinner for the local economy, it would be good if the hirers could ensure all their bikes are fitted with bells and give some instruction to their clients in terms of respecting walkers etc - enjoy the lovely scenery the trail can offer but please show respect to all users!!
Written July 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nigel williams
Southampton, UK6 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
if you have young children or dogs this is not the space for you. Its full of entitled cyclists who think you should throw yourselves in the hedgerow at the merest hint of their bell.
We suffered verbal abuse from this group of people and in the end we decided to retreat to the safety of a cafe and chill. Such a shame as the pathway is designed for all to enjoy but cyclists spoil it as they feel they have priority over us underlings. We noticed the attitude came from older men, the groups of younger cyclists were more forgiving and generally polite.
So if you value your life go elsewhere especially if you have young ones who like a little wander.
Written August 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SB01
Sonning Common, UK837 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021 • Family
I cannot praise this trail highly enough. It is totally safe, being traffic free, well signed, lots of quality stops for refreshments and it is almost flat. It's a great place for kids to ride or adults who haven't been on a bike in years. On top of all that the scenery is beautiful, as you ride along the estuary or rivers the whole way. We hired bikes at Barnstaple station and cycled the 14.5 miles to Torrington in a very leisurely 2 hours. If you want to do this, hire bikes in advance, as this is a very popular activity.
Written July 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dushy D
London, UK582 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022 • Family
Beautiful scenic cycle / run / walk trail . We went at the start of the school hols , it was still very quiet ( but still felt safe ) . Off road cycle route - 10 miles walk Puffing Billy - Bideford & back . Cycle route was 16 miles approx to Instow . Highly recommend the beautiful views …
Written April 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lyndaloo
Esher, UK1,343 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022 • Family
We loved this as much as the kids, aged 1 and 3. Cycled from Barnstaple to instow, 4 bikes and one child trailer. All flat with beautiful views. Stopped half way at fremington for a refreshment and for grandson to play on pirate ship. Really nice guy at bike shop and very helpful. Will definitely do this when down here next time.
Written May 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mummyk
Tiverton, UK241 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Family
The whole family had a lovely time cycling along this beautiful trail. A little cafe at the start with toilets if needed , then flat all the way along. It was busy but everyone is lovely and ensure they give the kids room to pass. Great spot
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

VivAndPaul
Pershore, UK49 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020 • Solo
Rode from puffing billy in Torrington to Barnstaple and back. Car park busy at puffing billy.
Watch out for walkers who seem shocked when you ring your bell and jump the wrong way as they don’t know left from right

Nice 2 hour bike ride just beat the rain but had a nice cup of tea at the end
Written October 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Veloview
Nr. Winkleigh53 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2012 • Solo
The Tarka Cycling Trail.
Barnstaple to Meeth – Distance 24 miles.
This is a spectacular cycling route set in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The route commences in Braunton, however many choose to start in Barnstable as you can arrive by train on the equally spectacular Tarka railway, considered one of Britain’s top 10 railways and which runs from Exmouth via Exeter to North Devon.
Barnstaple to Bideford is well sign posted from the railway station and is a gentle ride hugging the coast and the edge of the Torridge estuary. There are numerous wind protected rest points along the way and it is worth stopping off in Instow with its attractive beach, dunes and a variety of ‘watering holes’. Later as you reach Bideford after about 10 miles a converted railway carriage offers refreshments served up by a very friendly team of ladies.
Bideford to Torrington has numerous crossing points over the River Torridge and its tributaries and remains an easy ride on a good surface. Cyclists come from near and far to enjoy this route and age is no barrier, I met a former Olympian in his 70s on his way from Sheepwash to Barnstable. The main visitors though are young families from North Devon making the best of easy cycling in an attractive setting. Torrington can be reached within the hour and here there is a cycle hire and repair work shop as well as Puffing Billy, a café come restaurant which has ample seating both in and outdoors for the weary cyclist or walker to enjoy a welcome break.
Torrrington to Meeth represents slightly more challenging cycling as the route is predominantly uphill and the surface of the cycle path lacks the tarmac finish of the rest of the ride. Nevertheless this remains a pleasant ride as you travel through woods, under bridges and back into open countryside. At Yarde, some 4 miles from Torrington there is an excellent café and bunk house which is open throughout the summer and many bank holidays throughout the year. Pause a while too at the numerous examples of art work created by the pupils at Marland School along the way and consider exiting before you reach Meeth at Petrockstowe as here you can join National Cycle routes 3 and 27. Select route 3 if you want to head in the direction of Lands End or route 27 for Plymouth on what is also known as the Devon coast to coast cycle route. If you decide to continue to Meeth you are forced to join the busy A386 or return back along the cycle path in the direction of Barnstaple.
This route is well known to cycling enthusiasts in Devon, but is still a quiet, relaxing route which lacks the weight of numbers using, for instance, the track along the River Exe to Starcross. You can select different sections of the Tarka Way suitable for your family, comfortable in the knowledge that anyone of moderate fitness can ride at ease along this former railway line in the north of one of England’s most attractive and tourist friendly counties.
Written April 27, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tancredi2007
Dorset7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2012 • Couples
My boyfriend & I cycled the Tarka Trail from Braunton to Meeth & back last weekend. The trail is nice & wide. This is ideal for the whole family. The surroundings are beautiful & it is such a scenic walk or ride. Remember to take a camera as there are so many picture opportunities! There are some lovely cafe's along the route in the old railway sidings. The route is flat up until Torrington but from there it is a steady gradient to Meeth. If i was doing the Tarka Trail again I would probably leave out the last leg to Meeth as we were slightly disappointed as there wasn't much there. If you decided to go onto Meeth beware it is more for the fitter cyclist as the climb is quite demanding & we saw a number of people walking with their bikes.
It is an excellent day out & I would highly recommend!
Written April 21, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

rog d
Wadebridge, UK23 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2018 • Solo
This trail has been on my to do list for some time. I finally got to do it on Sat 19th May in glorious weather. Not knowing much about the area, I decided to park in Bideford. A long stay car park right net to the trail (£3 for the day).
Bideford is roughly the midway point of the trail and where the scenery changes from Estuary to inland. I decided to do the inland bit first - Bideford to Meeth (approx 16 mls each way). This part of the trail heads past Torrington Station, where there is a lovely cafe called Puffing Billy, and then on to Meeth. It follows the River Torridge to start, going over it a couple of times and then through wonderful woodland and pasture to Meeth. The track is level and tarmaced until just after Torrington where the surface eventually becomes unsurfaced, but hard packed grit etc. still rideable on a road bike, but a cx or hybrid would be preferable. It also starts to rise after Torrington; being a railway line the gradient never becomes steep, but it could be a long drag if you're not used to riding. There isn't much in Meeth... an old station marks the end of the cycleway. There is a pub a few hundred meters down the road - The Bull and Dragon. It was closed when I got there but looked quite nice.
Just before you get to Meeth, there is a lovely diversion signposted through the forest nature reserve to the 'Great lake'. An old quarry now water filled and a nice place to picnic or just rest a while in the peace.
After returning to Bideford and a quick lunch in the old station, I headed for Braunton (16mls each way). This section is completely flat and tarmac all the way. It is also noticeably busier. The landscape is flat with Estuary views and passes through nature reserves. I personally preferred the inland section to Meeth for scenery - but others might choose the openness of the Estuary. There are several places to stop for refreshments. A lovely pub in Instow. A cafe at Fremington, which had a wonderful bit of 'green' to lounge on at the front. Or to let kids play etc.
You eventually reach the main road at Barnstaple, the track follows the broad pavement over the Taw Bridge to return to the trail the other side .. again following the Estuary to Braunton.
I would imagine the section from Bideford to Braunton could be harder if a strong wind was blowing owing to the openness.
All in all, I loved the trail.. Especially the contrast from Estuary to woodland.
Owing to wonderful signage on advise on alerting people of your approach with bells, or by calling out, the cyclists integrated well with the walkers.
I also liked the interesting features along the way. Especially the 'Eagles' seat and the 'Wooden people'. You will have to go yourself to see what I mean :-).
A well maintained trail with excellent signage and refreshments. I will definitely be back.
PS. Not sure if there's anything available bus wise, but being able to park at Braunton and having you and your bike transported to Meeth would make for a great one way trip - rather than having to do an out and back. I did it both ways which came to a shade under 64 miles on my Garmin. A 32 mile one way trip would be more manageable for a lot of people.
Written May 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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