Section 1 of 9, Tarka Trail
Yelland to Great Torrington
9.7 miles (15.7 km). About 3½ hours, moderate.
Start: SS 486 324. Finish: SS 480 195. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
Up and down
About 70 m of climbing and 55 m of descent; highest point 26 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Yelland.
- Bus stops
- Lagoon View, 600 m from the start. Directions SS 489 319Pottery Lane, 650 m from the start. Directions SS 492 321Welch's Lane, 650 m from the start. Directions SS 486 317
- Car park
- Car park, 520 m from the start. Directions SS 481 322
Getting back
The section finishes at Great Torrington. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stops
- Bus stop, 200 m from the finish. Directions SS 480 197Torridge View, 710 m from the finish. Directions SS 487 192
What to expect
Underfoot: paved or flagged 98%.
Almost all off road.
On the way: 5 gates, 1 stream crossing.
No steep climbs: no kilometre gains more than about 15 m.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Pubs and cafés
- Pubs
- Black Smith Arms, East The Water: 4.6 miles in.The Puffing Billy, Taddiport: at the finish. Seats outside.The Wayfarer Inn, Instow: 1.4 miles in, about 150 m off the way.The Boathouse, Instow: 1.4 miles in, about 150 m off the way.Instow Arms: 1.4 miles in, about 150 m off the way.White Hart Inn, Bideford: 4.3 miles in, about 350 m off the way. Food.The Kings Arms, Bideford: 4.5 miles in, about 350 m off the way. Seats outside.
- Cafés
- Sabins, Instow: 1.3 miles in.Johns of Instow: 1.7 miles in.Cafe On Board, Bideford: 3.9 miles in, about 400 m off the way.Pannier Pantry at the Custom House, Bideford: 4.2 miles in, about 350 m off the way.Quay 22, Bideford: 4.3 miles in, about 350 m off the way.Tarka Bideford: 4.3 miles in, about 400 m off the way.Costa, Bideford: 4.4 miles in, about 350 m off the way.Otters, Bideford: 4.4 miles in, about 350 m off the way. Seats outside.The Happy Pear, Bideford: 4.5 miles in, about 400 m off the way.
As OpenStreetMap records them. Opening times change, so check before you set off.
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