Devon Coast to Coast - Part 2 - Barnstaple to Petrockstowe Station - with route instructions

Section 2 - Devon Coast to Coast
The track on the other side is much smoother; where the other side was full of raised tarmac due to tree roots this side is as smooth as glass. Fremington quay is extremely popular. The site of former industry there is a playpark, large picnic area and a bustling cafe with about 20 picnic tables. If you prefer somewhere a little less frenetic the excellent Sandbanks Cafe is a few km further on and there is always Instow.

The estuary has a lot of birdlife especially in winter and the marshes to the right provide habitat as the route moves slightly inland. Entering Instow the route heads on, but if you are bored with tunnels and track go right opposite the MOD place, bear left through the car park and take the coast road past the long beach before rejoining at Instow Signal box.

Onto Bideford and the trail follows the eastern shore of the River Torridge with good views to the right. As you approach Bideford you pas under the high bridge that carries many people to Cornwall’s north coast on the North Devon link road. Across the water are the quays of Bideford for like Barnstaple it was also once a thriving port. The boats that you can se vary from restoration projects to a semi-floating cafe. You arrive at Bideford by a very short section of preserved railway. As with Barnstaple it really is worth taking the time to look at the place. There are steps next to the Royal Hotel with a flat piece put in on the right to wheel your bike down. Cross the bridge and head right for the town centre opposite the quay. The road with the 4 sculptures on the wall (cooper to start) are very good. There are also toilets on the quayside here.
The section to Great Torrington is through woods and follows the railway line, though if you were here before that you would have got your feet wet as there was a canal and this provides the main points of interest. You can see a sea lock (just) through the trees. A little further on the top of a waterwheel chamber and then a beautiful aqueduct on the right that crosses the river, now a private drive. There are a few walks as well and bike stands are thoughtfully provided. The first to the former stables only takes 10 minutes and has more explanatory board
Torrington has another short section of track at it's station as well as a hire centre and a cafe at the station. If you're feeling like a hill head out of the station and go right for a hard climb into Torrington. It's an attractive small town with a museum, but the main reason is if you are here at the right time you will see the stupendous construction in the park on the left as you enter. These change every year and are burnt annually. When I passed in 2021 there was a full sized replica of the Mayflower and quayside buildings.
The section to East Yarde is through trees and the surface changes to hard packed very small gravel. The first 5km has quite an incline.
The Tarka trail continues but after the climb, now a descent. A Petrockstowe you leave the Tarka Trail to start on the lanes and villages of Northern Devon.