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Walking Holidays in the UK |
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Walking holiday on the UK's
Tarka Trail North
circular walk with optional trip to
Lundy
8 nights, 7 days walking
Total Distance:
84 miles
Min/max daily distance:
9/14 miles
Average Daily distance:
12 miles
Grading:
easy to strenuous
Features:
South West Coast Path
Exmoor National Park
If arriving by car, you make your own way to Barnstaple for the start of your walking holiday on the Tarka Trail. We can assist with coach transfers if necessary. Car parking is available for the duration of the walking tour.
At Barnstaple the trail intersects with the South West Coast Path and the Macmillan Way West. Walking on from Barnstaple, a busy town with a fine range of shops and pubs, the trail follows the River Taw for a short way and then heads to a more rural scene of rolling farmland and small copses until you reach West Buckland.
Walking on from West Buckland the route follows the River Bray to Brayford, a small but charming hamlet. The Tarka Trail enters the Exmoor National Park at this point and follows the Little Owl River for a short while, passing some Bronze Age Burial Mounds. Then you cross the River Barle onto open moorland. At Exe Head the trail crosses the Two Moors Way and then you make your way to Simonsbath in Somerset, one of Exmoor's Treasures.
This is the landscape that has made Exmoor popular with walkers for years. Along the banks of the River Exe is a great place to spot wildlife, perhaps a red deer or one of the many pheasants. The path heads up onto open moorland, then joins Myrtleberry Cleave as it heads into Lynmouth, where the Tarka Trail joins the South West Coast Path.
You can take the Cliff Railway from Lynmouth up to Lynton. Then an easy walk through the Valley of the Rocks, to Lee Bay and Woody Bay. There are a couple of deep valleys, a skirt around Heddon's Mouth Cleave, and an ascent of Great Hangman, the highest point of the South West Coast Path at 318 metres (1043 ft in old money!).
Walking on the South West Coast Path from Combe Martin you pass Watermouth with its sandy estuary and boat yard. The walking trail then climbs over the headland past Samson's Bay and Hele Bay to Ilfracombe, with its quaint Devon fishing harbour and sandy beaches. In season ferries offer trips to the Island of Lundy. From Ilfracombe you walk through Torrs Park and on to Lee Bay.
On walking to the lighthouse at Bull Point the South West Coast Path passes through a couple of small valleys. At Morte Point the long sandy beach of Woolacombe comes into view and then becomes our walking path . Over Baggy Point to Croyde, this whole area is a mecca for surfers and walkers.
The South West Coast Path crosses the dunes and on to Saunton Downs. Walking on past Braunton Burrows with its sand dunes and wildlife. Now following the wide Taw estuary the whole area is full of bird life. At Barnstaple, where your walking holiday on the Tarka Trail finishes, there is a wide range of shops, restaurants and pubs.
Day 9: Leave
after breakfast.
At the end of your UK walking holiday we can
transfer you to your car or the train station.
in your UK walking holiday
on the Tarka Trail
Short walking breaks are also available, with 2 or 3 days walking. Just select the part of the trail you want to walk.
The above distances are only a suggestion. If you would like to walk longer or shorter distances, we can arrange that too.
We pride ourselves in offering the widest choice of bespoke walking holidays on the UK.
- accommodation at high quality guest houses, inns or small hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
- room with en-suite or private bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities
- daily luggage transfer
- support should there be any problems on route
- detailed itineraries
for your UK walking holiday
on the Tarka Trail
All prices subject to change
- upgrade to the region's most elegant, prestigious and famous hotels, where available
- transfers back to car or station
- parking facilities
- rest days
- inn to inn walks
By Car to Barnstaple where parking is available
By Train to Barnstaple
By bus to Barnstaple
Contact us for schedule and availability. Lines
are open 7 days a week. 9am to 9pm  New York 5 hours behind UK time: 4am to 4pm EDT  Sydney 10 hours ahead of UK time: 7pm to 7am EST or email us |
Tarka Trail South
or back to see both sections
Tarka Trail
