Tarka Trail Closure

The Trail between Barnstaple and Bideford will be closed to cyclists on the 24th August 2009. Pedestrian access will still be possible and all other parts of the Trail will be open as normal.

The closure is so that the BBC can film James May's attempt, as part of his forthcoming series on Great British toys, to break a world record and build the world's longest model railway. Devon County Council recognises that this may be an inconvenience but believes that for one day, it is worth it given the programme's capacity to promote the Tarka Trail throughout the UK and to involve local volunteers in setting up the railway.

180 miles in a figure-of-eight in the northern part of Devon based on Barnstaple; a stretch of the route makes use of the Tarka Line railway; the Trail follows the route taken by Tarka the Otter in the book of that name; generally comprehensively waymarked.

Passes through numerous towns, including Barnstaple, Bideford, Torrington, Hatherleigh, Okehampton, Lynmouth and Ilfracombe.

A great variety of landscapes, including wooded river valleys, rugged moorland, coastal cliffs and sandy bays. Walking varies between easy and strenuous depending on the location.

Coincides with the South West Coast Path for part of its route, Two Moors Way for another part and the Dartmoor Way for a third; links with the West Devon Way, Two Castles Trail, Little Dart Ridge and Valley Walk and Dartmoor Way.

Train access via the Tarka Line from Exeter; buses serve much of the route, and run parallel to the whole section of route between Ilfracombe and Okehampton.

Symbols Key

	Trail includes moorland walking		Trail includes coast and / or estuary walking
	Trail includes especially notable viewpoints		Trail is mostly waymarked and signposted
	Trail has parallel bus and / or train routes to allow for short lengths to be walked		Trail information includes dedicated accommodation list