Description
A safe, flat, paved route between Barnstaple and Bideford that mostly follows the Tarka Trail and is largely off road
A safe, flat, paved route between Barnstaple and Bideford that mostly follows the Tarka Trail and is largely off road
Status
This route has been reviewed by 3 people.
There are no issues flagged.
Photos for Bidbar two
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Information
Route status - Live
Reviews - 3
Average rating -
Is this route good enough? - Yes (3)
There are currently no problems reported with this route.
Downloads - 1
Surveys
What is this route like?
Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.
Grade 1Y based on 1 surveys | Sign up or log in to survey this route. | ||
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Description | Note | ||
Grade 1: Entirely smooth and compacted surfaces. Access grade Y: Stile, step and obstacle free. |
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys. | ||
Full grading description |
Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.
Survey Photos
Facilities
Facilities in the middle third of this route.
Challenges
Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.
Obstacles
Obstacles on this route.
Accessibility
Is this route step and stile free?
Measurements
Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.
Narrowest part of path: no data
The steepest uphill gradient East: no data
The steepest uphill gradient West: no data
The steepest camber: no data
How clear is the waymarking on the route: Very clear (1)
Successfully completed
We asked route surveyors "Have you successfully completed this route with any of the following? If so, would you recommend it to someone with the same requirements?". Here is how they replied.
Recommended by an expert
We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.
Terrain
We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.
6.0% of the route is on roads (1)
There is no data on how much of this route is lit at night
100.0% of the route is paved (1)
There is no data on muddiness
There is no data on rough ground
There is no data on long grass
Report a problem with this data
1 surveys
Information from verified surveys.
Geography information system (GIS) data
Total length
Maximum elevation
Minimum elevation
Start and end points
Bideford
Grid Ref
SS4545926497
Lat / Lon
51.01702° / -4.20465°
Easting / Northing
245,459E / 126,497N
What3Words
handbag.cowering.proved
Barnstaple
Grid Ref
SS5606733027
Lat / Lon
51.07846° / -4.05612°
Easting / Northing
256,067E / 133,027N
What3Words
pasta.punt.exile
Bideford | |
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Grid Ref | SS4545926497 |
Lat / Lon | 51.01702° / -4.20465° |
Easting / Northing | 245,459E / 126,497N |
What3Words | handbag.cowering.proved |
Barnstaple | |
---|---|
Grid Ref | SS5606733027 |
Lat / Lon | 51.07846° / -4.05612° |
Easting / Northing | 256,067E / 133,027N |
What3Words | pasta.punt.exile |
Sorry Land Cover data is not currently available for this route. Please check back later.
reviews
Jane Gough
03 Aug 2023Cycled this route after plenty of rain, but this did not spoil it at all. Good hard surface for wheels. A couple of good places to stop for refreshments if wanted.
Tim Ryan
07 Jan 2023An excellent route. Easy to follow and easy to walk. Also wheelable as it mostly follows the Tarka Trail a shared route, so cyclists also using the way. Some pavement walking at either end, but mostly far from traffic. Good opportunities for bird watching and great views across the estuary.
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Helen Gough
05 Mar 2022This route mostly follows the former Barnstaple - Bideford railway line, now known as The Tarka Trail. It is now a shared cycle/footpath and is very popular with tourists and locals, walkers, joggers and cyclists.
It is used for both commuting and leisure, so you won't get it to yourself, and in the height of summer it can get very busy.
Apart from the two ends, where the route gets you to the bus stops, it is all off road, and passes through nature reserves, farmland, sites of archaeological importance, and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Parts of it are exposed to the south Westerlies blowing in from the Atlantic so windproofs make life easier. It is an easy, flat route though, no mud and no hills.
At the Barnstaple end, the path forks (if coming from Bideford), this route takes the right hand fork, which gets you to the Longbridge and passes the railway station, which will be very useful for some. The left fork however, is more scenic, following the river, and with wider paths would be better for wheelchairs.
Signage is excellent, and there are plenty of places to stop for a break, including in cafes and pubs.
Can't give this route anything less than 5 stars.
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