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Quaker Burial Ground at Sticklepath
on Tarka Trail Walking Holiday with Lets Go Walking
Tarka Trail Walking Holiday
on the South Loop
in Devon and Darmoor, South West England
in 8 Days, 7 nights and 6 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 South Loop
with a train trip on the Tarka Line Railway
(With optional trip to Lundy Island)
Moorland and Coastal Walking Holiday on Devon’s North Coast and Dartmoor in Devon, South West England
a circular walk
via Dartmoor, the River Taw, Okehampton Bideford and Barnstaple
Walk The Tarka Trail walking holdiay via Dartmoor, the River Taw, Barnstaple, Eggesford, North Tawton, Okehampton, Bideford 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 South makes a varied and interesting hiking tour. The Tarka Trail South passes through some of North Devon’s most charming landscape full of wildlife and stunning scenery.
The Tarka Trail walking holiday South is a 68 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 favourites walks because of the contrasts offered by a hike on this route.
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 Bideford
- The Darmoor Way at Okehampton
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
South Loop, circular from Barnstaple
Suggested Tour Duration:
7 nights, 6 days walking
Total Distance:
68 miles/109 kms
Min/max daily distance:
10/13 miles
Average Daily distance:
11 miles
Grading:
Easy
Features:
Dartmoor
Dartmoor Ponies
River Taw
Museum of Dartmoor Life, Okehampton
North Tawton Parish Church
Belstone
Finch Foundry, Sticklepath
The Tarka Line Railway
This route connects with:
South West Coast Path
Macmillan Way West
Dartmoor Way
Tarka Trail Walking Holiday
on the South Loop
Coastal and Moorland Walking Holiday
on Devon’s North Coast and Dartmoor
in Devon, South West England
with a train trip on the Tarka Line Railway
(With optional trip to Lundy Island)
7 nights and 6 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. At Barnstaple the Tarka Trail South connects with the South West Coast Path and the Macmillan Way West.
Day 2: Barnstaple to Eggesford to North Tawton 18 miles by train, 11 miles walk easy
You start your holiday by taking the Tarka Line train from Barnstaple to Eggesford for a great trip along the River Taw. You then head through rolling farmland, small copses and hamlets to North Tawton, a town once famous for wool, with a fine church and clock tower.
Day 3: North Tawton to Okehampton 12 miles easy
Walking on from North Tawton the route follows the River Taw for a short distance and crosses The Dartmoor Railway steam railway. The small hamlet of South Tawton has a fine church and pub. The Tarka Trail enters The Dartmoor National Park at Sticklepath, where there is the National Trust Property of Finch Foundry and a fine country pub. The walk from Sticklepath to Okehampton via the hamlet of Belstone in Dartmoor is one of Dartmoor’s hidden gems and favourite of many of our staff. Here the trail intersects with the Dartmoor Way.
Day 4: Okehampton to Hatherleigh 10 miles easy
Okehampton is known as the gateway to Dartmoor and has plenty to offer the traveller with many fine old pubs, a steam railway and fine park. This is the landscape that has made Dartmoor popular for walking holidays. The trail heads away from Dartmoor to the hamlet of Jacobstowe and on to Hatherleigh, a small town full of history Devon tradition. Hatherleigh has a good selection of pubs and offers fine views of Dartmoor.
Day 5: Hatherleigh to Dolton 9 miles easy
Walking on from Hatherleigh the hiking trail passes the Balaclava Monument offering fine views back to Dartmoor. Walking on past the village of Iddesleigh and The Duke of York an olde Devon pub a favourite with our staff and offering a great range of food . The trail passes through rolling countryside and small hamlets to the Dolton area for your overnight stay.
Day 6: Dolton to Bideford 16 miles easy
Walking on from Dolton the hiking trail soon joins the path of a former railway. This part of the Tarka Trail follows the course of the River Torridge and is an easy gentle downward hike. The town of Bideford has much to offer the walker with pubs, shops, and a fine bridge. There is also the possibility to stay an extra night and visit the Island of Lundy, a great trip.
Optional Day in Bideford 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 approximatley 3 times per week. Your holiday can be arranged to coincide with a sailing.
Day 7: Bideford to Barnstaple 10 miles easy
Walking on from Bideford the hiking trail rejoins the path of a former railway. The River Torridge is now wide and tidal and at Instow there is a nice beach, a great place to paddle or build a sand castle. The Tarka Trail now follows the South West Coast Path. This is gentle walking with fine views of the estuary. The whole area is full of wildlife and is a haven for bird life. The walking holiday ends in Barnstaple.
Day 8: Depart after breakfast
Depart after breakfast or extend your holiday walking and spend some time exploring the Barnstaple area and Devon’s North Coast.
We can transfer you to your car or station.
Continue on the Tarka Trail North
Tarka Trail Walking Holiday
South Loop circular from Barnstaple
via Dartmoor and Devon’s North Coast
8 day itinerary
6 days walking and 7 nights
Suggested Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive at Barnstaple
Day 2: Barnstaple to Eggesford by train,
then walk to North Tawton 11 miles
Day 3: North Tawton to Okehampton 12 miles
Day 4: Okehampton to Hatherleigh 10 miles
Day 5: Hatherleigh to Dolton 9 miles
Day 6: Dolton to Bideford 16 miles
Optional Day in Bideford to visit Lundy Island
Day 7: Bideford to Barnstaple 10 miles
Day 8: Depart after breakfast
8 day itinerary 7 nights
| Double or Twin Occupancy | Single Occupancy travelling with others | Solo Traveller |
|
| 2025 | £952 | £1,505 | £1,645 |
All prices subject to change
Extra nights from £59 per person depending on location
Extra night in Bideford and day trip to Lundy from £118.00 per person
Optional Accommodation Upgrades for
Tarka Trail Walking Holiday
South Loop
Can be added when booking online
Subject to availability Supplement per person per night
Bideford
Royal Hotel
double/twin
£75.00
single
please ask
Durrant House Hotel
£65.00
please ask
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
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
