IlfracombeBarnstaple

Ilfbar two
Verified route

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

By Hjgough on 19 Jun 2021


Distance

23km/15mi

Ascent

603m

Descent

607m

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Description

Draft route from Ilfracombe to Barnstaple, avoiding walking along busy roads

Draft route from Ilfracombe to Barnstaple, avoiding walking along busy roads

Status

This route has been reviewed by 3 people.

There are no issues flagged.

Photos for Ilfbar two

Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.


Information

Verified route

Route status - Live

Reviews - 3

Average rating -

Is this route good enough? -  Yes (3)

There are currently no problems reported with this route.

Downloads - 4

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 4X based on 1 surveys Sign up or log in to survey this route.
Description Note
Grade 4: Route includes very rough surfaces including deep ruts, steep loose gravel, unmade paths and deep muddy sections. Wheelchairs may experience traction/wheel spin issues.
Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users.
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.

Not present at time of survey Public toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Wheelchair accessible toilet (1)
Present at time of survey Supermarket (1)
Present at time of survey Restaurant (1)
Maybe present Vegan restaurant (1)
Present at time of survey Accommodation (1)
Maybe present Accommodation < £50 (1)
Present at time of survey Campsite (1)
Not present at time of survey Bothy (1)
Maybe present Free wifi (1)
Maybe present Public phone (1)
Present at time of survey Mobile phone coverage (1)
Not present at time of survey Train station (1)
Not present at time of survey Bench (1)
Not present at time of survey Picnic table (1)
Present at time of survey Bus stop (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry (1)

Challenges

Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.

Not present at time of survey Scrambling (1)
Not present at time of survey Wading (1)
Not present at time of survey Swimming (1)
Not present at time of survey Climbing (1)
Not present at time of survey Stepping stones (1)
Present at time of survey Very slippery (1)
Present at time of survey Very muddy (1)
Maybe present Very icy (1)
Maybe present Likely to flood (1)
Present at time of survey Long grass sections (1)
Not present at time of survey Crops encroaching on path (1)
Not present at time of survey Diverted path (1)

Obstacles

Obstacles on this route.

Present at time of survey Stiles (1)
Present at time of survey Step and kerbs (1)
Not present at time of survey Possible to avoid steps, if applicable (1)
Present at time of survey Flights of steps (1)
Present at time of survey Gates (1)
Present at time of survey Kissing gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Locked gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Disables access gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Cycle barriers (1)
Not present at time of survey Ladders (1)
Present at time of survey Cattle grids (1)
Not present at time of survey Fords (1)
Present at time of survey Narrow bridges (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry required (1)
Present at time of survey Acceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Unacceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Dangerous road crossings (1)
Present at time of survey Walking on paths beside roads (1)
Present at time of survey Walking on verges beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Railway crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey River crossings (1)
Present at time of survey Cattle possible (1)
Present at time of survey Horses possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Tidal area (1)
Present at time of survey Potential falls (1)
Present at time of survey Exposed to elements (1)
Not present at time of survey Remote area (1)
Not present at time of survey Mountainous area (1)
Not present at time of survey Military training area (1)
Present at time of survey No visible path (1)
Maybe present Seasonal nesting birds (1)
Not present at time of survey Other hazards (1)

Accessibility

Is this route step and stile free?

Not present at time of survey Free of stiles (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of single steps/kerbs (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of flights of steps (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of other obstacles (1)

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: 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.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Present at time of survey Small Labrador-sized dog (1)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

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.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Present at time of survey Small Labrador-sized dog (1)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Terrain

We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.

There is no data on how much of this route is on roads

There is no data on how much of this route is lit at night

Thereis no data on amount of route paved

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.

4X November 2022 by Helen Gough
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Geography information system (GIS) data

Total length

Maximum elevation

Minimum elevation

Start and end points

Ilfracombe
Grid Ref SS5201247822
Lat / Lon 51.21038° / -4.12005°
Easting / Northing 252,012E / 147,822N
What3Words audibly.ripen.resting
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


Linda McCarthy

19 Sep 2023 Summer

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.


Tim Ryan

18 Sep 2023 Summer

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.

  • Helen Gough

    Helen Gough

    25 Sep 2023

    I walked the same route as you, I didn't see the point in climbing up to the cycle path at Slade. Clearly I forgot that after the walk! These days I don't upload new routes until I've walked them.

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Helen Gough

12 Nov 2022 Autumn

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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Other Routes for Ilfracombe—Barnstaple See all Slow Ways

Ilfracombe—Barnstaple

Ilfbar one

Distance

25km/15mi

Ascent

408 m

Descent

412 m

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