Braunton Station Road, Braunton, Devon, EX33 2EJ
The Tarka Trail is one of Devon’s great long-distance routes, tracing a figure-of-eight journey through the landscapes made famous by Henry Williamson’s novel Tarka the Otter. The section between Braunton and Barnstaple is particularly well-suited to dog owners, offering a flat, traffic-free shared path of around five miles that follows the banks of the River Taw through some quietly beautiful estuary and wetland scenery.
The path between these two towns follows the route of a former railway line, which means the gradient is virtually non-existent throughout, making it excellent for dogs of all ages and fitness levels. The surface is well-maintained tarmac for most of its length, and the route passes through Chivenor before crossing the tributary River Yeo on a striking swing bridge as it approaches Barnstaple. The estuary views along this section are wonderful, with wading birds feeding at low tide and the wide expanse of the Taw reflecting the sky in both directions.
Dogs can generally walk off-lead on the old railway sections of the trail, though the path is shared with cyclists so a degree of awareness is important. In sections crossing private farmland, the landowner may ask for dogs to be kept on leads, and signage makes these sections clear. Overall the trail is safe, well-managed and brilliant for dogs who enjoy a long, unhurried walk with interesting smells at every turn.
The best starting point for a Braunton-to-Barnstaple walk is the car park at Braunton, with good facilities nearby including toilets and a range of cafes and shops. The walk can be done as a linear route with transport back, or as an out-and-return trip if you prefer a symmetrical day.
For a relaxed, scenic dog walk with a real sense of going somewhere, this section of the Tarka Trail is hard to beat.
