Tarka Trail
A 79-mile long-distance path in the southwest of England. Following the adventures of Henry Williamson’s Tarka the Otter, the walk visits locations associated with the story, including Barnstaple, Fremington, Bideford, Okehampton, Lynmouth, Ilfracombe, and North Tawton. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: SS 556 335
Distance: 79 miles (127 km)
Time: 32–40 hours
Duration: 5–8 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000):
OL9 Exmoor, Barnstaple, Lynton, Minehead and Dulverton
139 Bideford, Ilfracombe and Barnstaple
Summary
The Tarka Trail is a long-distance footpath in the county of Devon, southwest England. The trail follows part of the route taken by the fictional Tarka the Otter in the classic book by Henry Williamson. Places in Devon visited throughout the walk—which starts and ends in Barnstaple—include Braunton, Chivenor, Fremington, Yelland, Instow, Bideford, Torrington, Meeth, Hatherleigh, Okehampton, Lynmouth, Ilfracombe, Lee Bay, Mortehoe, Woolacombe, Dolton, and North Tawton.
The trail also follows the route of and/or connects with several other notable long-distance footpaths in North Devon, including the South West Coast Path, Two Moors Way, Macmillan Way West, West Devon Way, Two Castles Trail, and the Little Dart Ridge and Valley Walk.