The Tarka Cycle Trail

Route A

From Barnstaple see flocks of estuary birds, wild duck, widgeon, teal, mallard, dunlin, redshank, oystercatcher on RSPB's Isley Marsh.

Cycle from historic Barnstaple along the shores of the estuary of the rivers Taw & Torridge past Fremington Pill, once the port for unloading ball clay, where you can see a lime kiln and if you are lucky, a rare Kingfisher. Onto Isley Marsh now a RSPB reserve and pass the site of the former power station at Yelland.

Instow with its sandy beach and many refreshments optionsis an ideal place to while away a few hours having a leisurely lunch or maybe a swim. The views over the estuary towards Braunton Burrows and Appledore are magnificent. Appedore is a quaint resort which has been famous for the building of sailing ships for centuries. A replica of the Mayflower was constructed here in 1970 and sailed to America.

We leave Instow past the historic signal box (open on Sundays in the summer) and cycle to Bideford, 3 miles further on. To explore Bideford you must cross the 14th century bridge built by the Grenville family. Richard Grenville commanded ships from Appledore when he joined Francis Drake against the Spanish Armada. The Kingsley statue also has a commanding position at the end of the quay. Back on the trail we cross the Landcross viaduct over the Torridge valley. Torrington station now a pub called the Puffing Billy is another refreshment stop.

Route B

Leave our Cycle Hire Depot and cross the magnificent stone bridge held up by 14 piers or the new bridge and make for the right hand bank of the Taw estuary. At Ashford Strand watch the birds feeding (3.5 miles)

Quench your thirst at Tarka Inn (4 miles). Visit Braunton for refreshments or shopping (6.5 miles).

Crow Point- (a very rewarding extension on a public road and a toll road where slow moving vehicles may be encountered). Picnic on the raised river bank to observe swans, ducks, moorhen in the drainage channels. Imagine the old quay at Vellator. Have a glimpse of Brauntons Medieval Great Field and on to see the sand dunes an SSSI. The kids will love this! (Round trip including Braunton 20 miles).