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Ilfracombe loop from Barnstaple & the Tarka Trail — North Devon ANOB

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Bike touring routes & trails

Ilfracombe loop from Barnstaple & the Tarka Trail — North Devon ANOB

Hard

4.8

(6)

riders

Ilfracombe loop from Barnstaple & the Tarka Trail — North Devon ANOB

03:22

49.4km

700m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: June 4, 2024

Tips

Includes a movable bridge

Check opening times.

After 1.00 km for 32 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

1.88 km

Tarka Trail: Instow to Fremington

Highlight • Trail

The Tarka Trail is England's longest traffic free cycling and walking route. It stretches for just over 30 miles from Braunton to Meeth via Barnstaple.

The trail follows a disused railway line and you will find many pubs and cafes to refuel, rehydrate and rest weary legs. It is named after Tarka the Otter, from the 1927 book of the same name by Henry Williamson.

Keep an eye out for sculptures along the route as it is also one of Sustrans Art Trails.

Tip by

16.8 km

Woolacombe Bay Coastal Path (NCN Route 27)

Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway

A popular spot for surfers, Woolacombe Bay is a sandy beach that's three miles (five kilometers) long in North Devon. Here the National Cycle Route 27 (Ilfracombe to Plymouth) runs down alongside the bay offering incredible views. Why not stop a while to watch the surfers if there's good waves to catch?

Tip by

21.5 km

Combesgate Beach

Highlight • Beach

Combesgate Beach is just north of Woolacombe Beach and is much quieter and a lot smaller in comparison.

Check the tides if you are thinking of visiting as there is only a small bay at high tide. Low tide reveals some lovely rockpools and a much bigger expanse of sand.

Tip by

32.4 km

Ilfracombe Harbour

Highlight • Beach

The restaurant (Smugglers) is a little gem garlic butter lobster and the also let dogs in provided the fit under the tables very reasonable prices as well £35 for a full lobster

Tip by

49.4 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

28.5 km

13.5 km

5.77 km

1.07 km

487 m

Surfaces

27.2 km

18.8 km

2.22 km

1.08 km

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (260 m)

Lowest point (0 m)

Weather

Saturday 9 May

16°C

9°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 28.0 km/h

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This route was planned by komoot.

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4.8

Ilfracombe loop from Barnstaple & the Tarka Trail — North Devon ANOB

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Trail Reviews

Paul And Diane On The Tandem

February 14, 2023, Tarka NORTH: Ilfracombe, Barnstaple Coastal Loop (with Video)

Video showing route conditions, etc: https://youtu.be/0cxY2Ke0lAc

Ilfracombe loop from Barnstaple & the Tarka Trail — North Devon ANOB

Tarka Trail: Instow to Fremington

Woolacombe Bay Coastal Path (NCN Route 27)

Combesgate Beach

Ilfracombe Harbour

Nearby routes

Trail Reviews

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