- Difficulty
- Easy
Much of the route follows old railway trackbeds, which now serve as an easy level route for walkers as well as cyclists.
- Start
- Braunton
- Finish
- Instow
- Length
- 16.1 miles (25.9 km)
- Summary
The Coast Path follows part of the Tarka Trail along the estuary of the River Taw. This is part of North Devon’s Biosphere Reserve and much of the route follows old railway trackbeds, which now serve as an easy level route for walkers as well as cyclists. Cross the historic Long Bridge of Barnstaple and continue along the other side of the estuary past marshland and Nature Reserves rich with wildlife to the village of Instow, with its preserved level crossing and Grade 2 listed signal box.
- Public Transport
National Express coach number 502 runs from Taunton to Barnstaple and First Great Western trains run regularly from Exeter to Barnstaple. First North Devon buses 3 and 3A run very regularly between Barnstaple and Ilfracombe, stopping in Braunton. The First North Devon services 1 and 2 run every 10 or 15 minutes from Barnstaple to Instow. For details visit travelinesw or phone 0870 6082608.
- Nearest car park
Braunton (Postcode for Sat Navs: EX33 1AA), Barnstaple, Fremington Quay and Instow Sands.
- Nearest toilets
Braunton, Barnstaple, Fremington Quay and Instow.
- Nearest refreshments
There are plenty of shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants in Braunton, Barnstaple and Instow. You may want to try Taste of the West member The Quay Café at Fremington Quay, which is a 'Good Food Award' winning establishment whose menus are based on locally sourced ingredients, including freshly caught fish and mussels from the Taw, cream teas, local beers and West Country wines. (Open daily throughout the year, except on Mondays between November and March. Tel: 01271 378783.)
