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Walking from Ilfracombe

Ilfracombe is positioned perfectly for walkers. Being right on the South West Coast Path it offers immediate access to some wonderful coastal walks. In one direction there is a beautiful circular walk starting inland going by means of pretty Berrynarbor and joining the coast path near to Combe Martin. It then follows the coast past Watermouth Cove back to Ilfracombe. In the other direction is another superb circular walk taking you up the Torrs Walk before heading inland to the Slade Reservoir and along the old railway track to Ilfracombe.

Ilfracombe is also perfect for a wide range of different walks using your car or public transport. North Devon offers rolling Devon countryside inland and the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) hugs the spectacular coastline to Cornwall. Along this coast you will find vast sandy beaches, impressive headlands, the International Biosphere Reserve at Braunton Burrows, quaint fishing villages and lighthouses.

In the other direction you will find one of the most beautiful and challenging National Parks called Exmoor. It is a walker's paradise. Hundreds of miles of quality footpaths and bridleways await you to take you away from the crowds and into tranquillity and stunning scenery. Open moorland, deep wooded valleys and high coastal cliffs can all be included in one walk. Rushing rivers pass through untouched villages and farmsteads. Red deer and Exmoor ponies roam freely across the moor. Even returning to Ilfracombe will be a shock to the system after experiencing this peace and solitude.

To get the best walks in whichever of these areas you choose, there are many accurate walk routes available. These are written by local people who know the area well, which is to your benefit. Ilfracombe Tourist Information Centre based at the Landmark Theatre has a wide range of leaflets and booklets on offer. If you would rather plan your walks before coming down then a local web site at www.westcountrywalks.co.uk has over 100 downloadable leaflets and booklets available that cover this area. Another excellent site for walks throughout the UK including this area is www.walkingworld.com.

Over the May Day Bank Holiday each year we have our Walking Festival. This runs for 9 days offering a wide choice of guided walks throughout North Devon and Exmoor. This year, for the first time the festival is also going to run from 18th to 21st September as well. To find out more go to its web site at www.walkingnorthdevon.co.uk.