Walking and Cycling in North Devon

North Devon is blessed with some stunning countryside, and this natural beauty is accessible on both foot and using pedal power.

Indeed, Devon, has approximately 300 km of Public Footpaths, Bridleways and Byways within the coastal areas. This includes the areas of outstanding natural beauty. Dependant upon your fitness or general inclination and time available, there are numerous walks. They range from guided rambles, circular routes, to long distance hiking trips.

We strongly recommend the following local site, which primarily aimed at cyclists has a plethora of well crafted, highly informative and accurate maps. Cycling in North Devon. The maps are prooduced by Croyde local Mike Harrison, and are truly special, not only providing an accurate OS based routemap, but also providing much added and highly informative notes by the author. (They are also a splendid souvenir of your trip to Devon). Tell us what you want, and we will make sure the maps are waiting for you on your arrival!

The Devon County Council site can be visited here, this also has a selection of route maps aimed at cyclists.

North Devon also hosts one of the largest walking festivals in the UK. The North Devon and Exmoor Walking Festival is now in it's 10th year. The above link takes you directly to their site, where you can book your party on one of the 84 guided walks. These range from short rambles to half day treks.

Over 30 miles of the Tarka Trail is also available to cyclists between Braunton and Meeth, using the old railways of North Devon. Passing through the largely unspoilt countryside as it was described by Henry Williamson in his classic novel ‘Tarka the Otter’ first published in 1927.

The Tarka trail also runs through Braunton. This off road cycle link (excluding the Meeth link) forms part of Devon’s Cycling Coast to Coast Route between Ilfracombe and Plymouth. The length from Barnstaple to Petrockstowe also forms part of the West Country Way Cycle Route between Bristol and Padstow.

The Braunton-Meeth section of the Tarka Trail is accessible from the North Devon Link Road (A39), also the B3233 and A386 between Bideford and Hatherleigh. There is also a rail link from Exeter to Barnstaple (the Tarka Line).

For the mountain bikes, there is some extreme terrain to be negotiated. The beauty of Exmoor and its wildlife has long been a national destination for the serious mountain and off-road cyclist. Routes vary from novice to extreme, and take in some truly breathtaking coastal scenery including the valley of the rocks near Lynton. 

Our holiday homes are a perfect starting point for any of these walking or cycling holidays.