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Average rating 1.4 / 5.0 (17 votes)
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Add this experience to your wishlist The Tarka Walking Trail

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This walk through Devon is a figure of eight shape based around the Rivers Taw and Torridge of the film “Tarka the Otter” fame. The trail has been recently upgraded and there are now graded tracks good for cyclists and mp3 audio information points along some of the route (if you have the technology and know how to use it.). Part of the trail follows the railway tracks of a disused railway line. There are lots of river crossings though most of them very safe and pedestrian and the path takes you through lots of towns with nice pubs so this is a good walk for those after something more leisurely, you could probably even bring kids on part of the journey. I did it more for the scenery, never having read Tarka the Otter. There is a good changing of views, from the railway and farmlands, to swampy areas near the river to the moors, woodlands and the coastal area with its cliffs and bays. If you do bring kids take them to Braunton Burrows on the southern loop, they’re sure to see animals amongst the grass and sand dunes. I, unpopularly, think this is a nicer stroll than walking in the Lake District because the experience is more varied. The end of the journey is supposed to be done by train because it’s supposed to be a figure of eight but if you’re walking with others it’s easy and safe enough to use two cars.

4 / 5 Review by expert member Russ Claridge's photo Russ Claridge

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The Tarka Walking Trail
 Photo by flickr user Lincolnian

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