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Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

This route is scenic and some interesting animals are encountered - a wild boar farm and further on are alpacas. There are a couple steep climbs, but this gives a chance to stop and take in the views. A welcome pub at West Down is under new ownership and is open for longer hours. The bus service from Ilfracombe runs half hourly to return to Barnstaple.

I walked this route with a group from Barnstaple to Ilfracombe. It is an extremely pleasant route and although it does have long road sections, as the previous reviewer Helen says these are very quiet. A couple of slight changes I would make are at Slade reservoir. Where the route shows using the cycle track. At this point I used the footpath between the track and the reservoir. From Barnstaple direction it makes it easier to go under the tunnel and from Ilfracombe stay on the footpath all the way to the tunnel - as the cycleway is on a higher level you dont need to use it. There is also an enclosed footpath - well signed which leaves Higher Slade to the south and turns to the east to join the path just north of the reservoir. This saves a bit of road walking in and out of Higher Slade, Otherwise perfect. I have included these suggestions in the photos.

Really enjoyed this walk. It is hilly and strenous, but the hard work is really worth it for the views and the quiet countryside you get to walk through.
I walked from Ilfracombe to Barnstaple and the route starts off using the coast path, before heading inland through woodland in Langleigh and Slade, passing the Slade reservoirs and heading up to Mullacott via the Alpaca farm. The alpacas were very interested in us, and there were loads of them. Make sure you shut the gates after you!
Around Mullacott there are 2 very short sections of road walking, where there is no path, but there is a verge. Both sections are only a few yards so there is a quick escape.
After that there is a lot of lane walking to Cheglinch then West Down, but they are so quiet, I didn't come across any vehicles. At West Down there is a pub and a community shop, if you want a break
From West Down there is a really nice section along a track through woodland and along coombes, before again using very quiet lanes through Fullabrook wind farm. I saw more horses than vehicles along these lanes - how Devon.
The route then takes you to Prixford, and it was here that the route got a bit muddy with running water on the path. But the stream and mud were shallow, so easy going. I expected worse.
After Prixford, Barnstaple suddenly comes in to view, and from Varley Farm the views are stunning. You can see the town, the coast and Exmoor. Hope its not foggy when you walk here!
The walk down from this fantastic viewpoint is very steep, but this is the last difficult part.
You enter Barnstaple via Mannings Pit, walking along side rivers and through woodland before reaching Pilton, one of the oldest parts of Barnstaple. Finally you are back in civilisation after a long, energetic walk through beautiful, quiet North Devon countryside.

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