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Lynmouth on Tarka Trail walking holiday in Devon with Lets Go Walking
Tarka Trail Walking Holiday
on the Northern Loop
on The North Devon Coast
and Exmoor
Devon, South West England
in 9 Days
8 nights and 7 days walking
Day by Day Itinerary
A 152 mile figure of eight walking route in North Devon between Dartmoor and Exmoor. This route can be split into the south loop of 68 miles and the north loop of 84 miles.
This is one of our Coastal Walking Holidays in UK and Ireland, one of our Devon and Dartmoor walking holidays, and also one of our Moorland Walking Holidays.
Tarka Trail Walking Holiday
on the North Loop
(With an optional trip to Lundy Island)
Moorland and Coastal Walking Holiday on Devon’s North Coast and Exmoor in Devon, South West England
a circular walk via Lynton, Combe Martin, Woolcombe, Barnstaple
Walk The Tarka Trail walking holiday via Exmoor, Lynton, Combe Martin, Ilfracombe, Croyde and the South West Coast Path
THIS WALKING HOLIDAY CAN BE COMPLETED IN EITHER DIRECTION
This self-guided UK walking holiday in Devon on the Tarka Trail North makes a varied and interesting hiking tour. The Tarka Trail North passes through some of Exmoor’s most charming landscape full of wildlife and stunning scenery.
The Tarka Trail walking holiday on the North Loop is a 84-mile circular waymarked walking trail. The Tarka Trail is named after Tarka the otter from the book by Henry Williamson published in the 1920’s and is still popular today. Our company is based in heart of Devon’s Tarka country on the edge of Dartmoor and the hiking trail is one of our staff’s favorites walks because of the contrasts a hike on this route can offer.
Both the Tarka Trail routes are circular walks and can be started at any location depending on availability and how you are arriving (train or car).
We pride ourselves in offering the widest choice of bespoke walking holidays in the UK.
The Tarka Trail Walking Holiday connects with:
- Macmillan Way West at Barnstaple
- South West Coast Path at Barnstaple and Lynmouth
- Two Moors Way at Simonsbath and Lynmouth
Our self-guided walking holidays are designed with your comfort and enjoyment in mind and can be tailor-made to your own personal requirements.
The routes are clearly way-marked to provide reassurance on your hiking vacation.
We use a selection of guest houses, inns or small hotels with en-suite or private bathroom to ensure you are well rested each night after a busy day hiking and sightseeing. Rest assured that all our accommodation walking holiday providers are hand-picked and offer you that famous British hospitality.
Special diets can be catered for, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free.
We organize the luggage transfer so your bags are at your next accommodation when you arrive. We try to get your bags delivered by 4pm, but this may be delayed due to road conditions.
Let’s Go Walking has developed one of the largest selection of walking holidays.
Our offices are staffed 9am to 9pm during our walking season (March to September) to ensure your walking holiday runs without a hitch.
All our walking holidays are self-guided and you must be a confident map reader and able to navigate from a compass bearing. The weather in the UK and Ireland can change quickly effecting visibility and underfoot conditions. It is important to carry a selection of clothing with you on your hike each day to cope with changing weather conditions. If you are not confident of completing any days walk, do not set out.
This walking holiday in the UK operates March to September and in either direction.
The daily distances are only a suggestion. If you would like to walk longer or shorter distances, we can arrange that too.
Our stated distances include mileage to the accommodation or pickup point and so may not agree with the guide book mileages.
Rest days can be taken in any location.
Why not combine this walk with a hiking tour in another part of the UK or Ireland. Our staff will be happy to advise on necessary transfers.
Online booking available.
A deposit of £85 per person is required to secure the booking, with the balance due 6 weeks before departure.
Optional extra days and accommodation upgrades can be added during the booking process online.
Please wait for the confirmation of your holiday before making final travel plans just in case your holiday is not available for your requested date.
Tarka Trail Walking Holiday
North Loop, Circular from Barnstaple
Suggested Tour Duration:
8 nights, 7 days walking
Total Distance:
84 miles/134 kms
Min/max daily distance:
9/14 miles
Average Daily distance:
12 miles
Grading:
Easy/Strenuous
Features:
Exmoor
Exmoor Ponies
Woolacombe Beach
Ilfracombe’s Tunnels Beaches
Saunton Sands
This route connects with:
Macmillan Way West
South West Coast Path
Two Moors Way
Tarka Trail Walking Holiday
on the North Loop
Coastal and Moorland Walking Holiday
on Devon’s North Coast and Exmoor
in Devon, South West England
(With optional trip to Lundy Island)
8 nights and 7 days walking
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Barnstaple
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.
Day 2: Barnstaple to Brayford 14 miles easy
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. Then the route follows the River Bray to Brayford, a small but charming hamlet.
Day 3: Brayford to Simonsbath 10 miles moderate
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.
Day 4: Simonsbath to Lynmouth 14 miles moderate
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.
Optional Day in Lynmouth: enjoy the area, visit Valley of the Rocks, or walk to Watersmeet
Day 5: Lynmouth to Combe Martin 13 miles strenuous
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 (1,043 ft in old money!).
Optional Day in Combe Martin: relax in the quaint Devon seaside village
Day 6: Combe Martin to Ilfracombe 5 miles strenuous
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.
Optional Day in Ilfracombe to visit Lundy Island (subject to ferry sailing times)
Lundy, an island 3 1/2 miles long and 1/2 mile wide, lies off the north Devon coast and is a wildlife and walkers haven. Day return aboard MS Oldenburg. Sailings are approximately 3 times per week. Your holiday can be arranged to coincide with a sailing.
Day 7: Ilfracombe to Croyde 14 miles moderate to strenuous
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.
Day 8: Croyde Bay to Barnstaple 14 miles easy
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: Depart after breakfast
Depart after breakfast or extend your holiday walking and spend some time exploring the Barnstaple area and Devons North Coast.
We can transfer you to your car or station.
Continue on the Tarka Trail South
Tarka Trail Walking Holiday
North Loop circular walking holiday from Barnstaple
via Exmoor and Devon’s North Coast
9 day itinerary
7 days walking and 8 nights
Suggested Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive at Barnstaple
Day 2: Barnstaple to Brayford 14 miles
Day 3: Brayford to Simonsbath 10 miles
Day 4: Simonsbath to Lynmouth 14 miles
Optional Day in Lynmouth
Day 5: Lynmouth to Combe Martin 13 miles
Optional Day in Combe Martin
Day 6: Combe Martin to Ilfracombe 5 miles
Optional Day in Ilfracombe to visit Lundy Island
Day 7: Ilfracombe to Croyde 14 miles
Day 8: Croyde to Barnstaple 14 miles
Day 9: Depart after breakfast
9 day itinerary 8 nights
| Double or Twin Occupancy | Single Occupancy travelling with others | Solo Traveller |
|
| 2025 | £1,088 | £1,720 | £1,880 |
All prices subject to change
Extra nights from £59 per person depending on location
Extra night in Ilfracombe and day trip to Lundy from £118.00 per person
Optional Accommodation Upgrades for
Tarka Trail Walking Holiday
North Loop
Can be added when booking online
Subject to availability Supplement per person per night
Barnstaple
Imperial Hotel
double/twin
£86.00
single
please ask
Park Hotel
£86.00
please ask
Royal & Fortesque Hotel
£75.00
please ask
Yeo Dale Hotel
£43.00
please ask
Lynmouth
Rising Sun Hotel
double/twin
£53.00
single
please ask
Rock House Hotel
£44.00
please ask
Heddons Mouth
Hunters Inn
double/twin
£25.00
single
please ask
Hunters Inn superior room
£38.00
please ask
If you would like to stay at Hunters Inn in Heddons Mouth, we can revise the itinerary so that this is an overnight stop.
Ilfracombe
Laston House
double/twin
£12.25
single
please ask
Olive Branch
£13.25
please ask
Osborne Hotel
£12.25
please ask
Croyde
Saunton Sands Hotel
double/twin
£139.00
single
please ask
The Woolacombe Marathon will take place along the South West Coast Path in Woolacombe on Sunday 29th June 2025.
This affects your enjoyment of the South West Coast Path in North Devon in the area of Woolacombe.
Therefore when booking your walking holiday on South West Coast Path or Tarka Trail in North Devon we suggest you avoid this date.
What’s included
in your Tarka Trail Walking Holiday
in Devon, South West England
on Devon’s North Coast and Dartmoor or Exmoor
- 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
- OS 1:25,000 map
Optional Extras
for your Tarka Trail Walking Holiday
in Devon, South West England
on Devon’s North Coast and Dartmoor or Exmoor
- 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
What’s not included
in your Tarka Trail Walking Holiday
in Devon, South West England
on Devon’s North Coast and Dartmoor or Exmoor
- lunches and dinners
- travel insurance
- entrance to local attractions
Lunches and Dinners
These are not included.
Evening meals
These are available at overnight locations, either at your accommodation or in the town/village.
Packed lunches
These can be provided by your accommodation or can be obtained from a local store, or cafe or inn along the route.
Holiday Travel Insurance
We require that you take out holiday insurance as Let’s Go Biking Ltd accepts no liability for the following:
cancellation, personal accident, illness, loss/theft of personal possessions and/or money, and any unforeseen circumstances, especially travel delays.
This is in addition to our existing
booking conditions.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Our telephone Lines are open 7 days a week.
UK +44 (0)1837 880075
or +44 (0)207 193 1252
March to September 9am to 9pm
October to February 9am to 5pm
US +1 (646) 233-1541
New York 5 hours behind UK time:
March to September 4am to 4pm EST
October to February 4am to 12noon EST
AUS +61 (02) 8006 0182
Sydney 10 hours ahead of UK time:
March to September 7pm to 7am EADT
October to February 7pm to 3am EADT
CAN +1 (647) 4786251
Toronto 5 hours behind UK time:
March to September 4am to 4pm EST
October to February 4am to 12noon EST
or
Tarka Trail Walking Holiday:
How to get there:
- By Plane to Exeter, Bristol or London where we can arrange transfer to the start of your walk
- By Car to the start of your walk where parking is available
- By Train/Bus to Barnstaple
We have Coastal Walking Holidays in the UK in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Isles of Scilly and the Channel Islands.
This is one of our categories of walking holidays.
- Arran Coastal Way in Scotland
- Causeway Coast Way in Northern Ireland
- Causeway Coast Way and Glens of Antrim in Northern Ireland
- Channel Islands
- Cleveland Way part of the England Coast Path
- Cumbria Coastal Way part of the England Coast Path
- Dingle Way in Ireland
- England Coast Path
- Fife Coastal Path in Scotland
- Great Gardens of Cornwall
- Great Gardens of Devon
- Guernsey, Herm and Sark in the Channel Islands
- Hebridean Way in Scotland
- Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path part of the Wales Coast Path
- Isle of Man
- Isle of Mull
- Isles of Scilly off the coast of Cornwall
- Jersey Coastal Footpath in the Channel Islands
- Kerry Way in Ireland
- Lecale Way in Northern Ireland
- Lleyn Peninsula, part of the Wales Coast Path
- Norfolk Coast Path part of the England Coast Path
- Northumberland Coast Path part of the England Coast Path
- Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path part of the England Coast Path
- Pembroke Coast Path part of the Wales Coast Path
- Rye to Ramsgate on England Coast Path
- Solent Way part of the England Coast Path
- Somerset Coast Path part of the England Coast Path
- South West Coast Path part of the England Coast Path
- Suffolk Coast Path
- Tarka Trail in Devon
- Wales Coast Path
- Yorkshire Coast Path part of the England Coast Path
We have moorland walking holidays in the UK in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Ireland.
This is one of our categories of walking holidays.
- Cleveland Way
- Coleridge Way in Somerset
- Copper Trail in Cornwall
- Cumbria Way passes through the Lake District
- Dales Way
- Dartmoor Way in Devon
- Glens of Antrim on the Moyle Way in Northern Ireland
- Glyndwrs Way in Wales
- Hadrians Wall Path
- Hebridean Way in Scotland
- Herriot Way
- Isle of Man Coastal and Moorland Footpath
- Macmillan Way West
- Mourne Way in Northern Ireland
- Richmond Way
- Tarka Trail in Devon
- Two Moors Way in Devon
- West Highland Way in Scotland
- Wicklow Way in Ireland
- Yorkshire Wolds Way
