Devon North Coast & Exmoor Highlights
8 Days & 7 Nights 5 Read 1 reviews- Walking the best of Devon’s rural north coast, including Exmoor.
- Tarka Trail, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
- The powerful Atlantic swell and golden sandy beaches of Devon’s Gold Coast.
- Homemade ice cream and “foodie” havens, such as Ilfracombe.
- Lundy Island and its wonderful assortment of rare wildlife, including puffins.
Tour Style:
Self Guided | Go at your own pace on an independent tour.
Activity:
Multi Center Walking | You will spend multiple nights in one or more of the locations on this walking tour
This trip is suitable for:
Multi-Generational, Mixed Abilities
Ideal if you have an interest in:
- Coastal & Island
- National Parks & Trails
Activity Level & Terrain
This tour is graded as moderate. The walks are a combination of coastal and inland walking and on country tracks, roads and trails, woodland routes and on “official” paths, such as the South West Coast Path, Tarka Trail, and the Two Moors Way. You will need to be very physically fit to fully enjoy this tour as, at times, there are some elevation gains and losses to negotiate.
Navigation
When walking on the South West Coast Path, Tarka Trail and Two Moors Way the route is quite well way marked and relatively easy to follow. However, for all the walks we provide comprehensive route notes and OS maps, so you shouldn’t have any problem finding your way. You will have to be able to read a map and navigate. We also provide GPS tracks for those who wish to take a GPS unit.
Accommodations
You will stay in a mixture of carefully chosen B&B’s, small hotels and guest houses.
Accommodation location
We will always try and accommodate you at the locations detailed in your itinerary. Occasionally, because of limited availability, there is the option to be accommodated at an alternative location. In the unlikely event that we have to accommodate you elsewhere we will advise you of this before confirming your booking.
Single Rooms & Solo Walkers
If you require single rooms we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable.
We welcome solo walkers on this trip although you should of course take extra care in the outdoors when walking solo.
Meals
A hearty breakfast is included each morning. Lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options. Most of your accommodations will be more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or in nearby pubs or restaurants.
- 7 Nights in B&B’s and guesthouses
- 7 Breakfasts
- Luggage transfers
- Transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
- Transfer Lynmouth/Lynton to Minehead on Day 8
- Detailed Information Pack, route notes and maps
- Access to the Macs Smartphone App
- 24/7 telephone support
- Travel to Westward Ho!
- Travel from Minehead
- Boat to Lundy Island
- Entrances to sights, etc
- Dinners & lunches
- Drinks and snacks
- Personal equipment
- Travel insurance
- Additional nights before or after the holiday
When To Go
This trip is available to start on any day of the week from March to October.
Time of Year
This tour can be enjoyed from March to October but you can walk at any time of year. You can start on any date that suits your travel plans. Spring and Autumn/Fall are great because it is quieter on the paths.
Getting to the Start
The closest airport to Westward Ho! is Exeter Airport which is is served by Flybe and has flights from London, Manchester, Paris, Amsterdam, Edinburgh and Manchester. You can also fly into Bristol or London. From these three airports you can take trains to Barnstable and from here a local bus which runs every 15 minutes.
A useful website is Traveline which has detailed information on times and schedules.
Westward Ho! is a 4 and half hour drive from London, there is a long stay car park, however the summer months are very busy, so where possible public transport is advised.
Getting from the End
A transfer from your accommodation in Lynmouth/Lynton will be included to Minehead. From here you can take a bus to Taunton (buses run hourly and the journey takes 1 hour). From Taunton you can take trains to Exeter, Bristol and London.
More information can be found on the Traveline or National Rail websites.
Macs Adventure can also arrange private transfers. Please contact your Destination & Adventure Specialist for more details.
Luggage Transfer
Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.
General Information
The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes.
Boat to Lundy Island
The boat from Ilfracombe to Lundy Island operates between the end of March to the end of October and at the time of writing this runs on Saturday’s, Tuesday’s and Thursday’s. Please check the Lundy Island website for times, schedules and prices.
Equipment
Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.
Travel Insurance
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Westward Ho! and overnight Day 2 Transfer to Great Torringon, Tarka Trail 10 miles / 16 km Day 3 Transfer to Woolacombe, Walk to Ilfracombe 8 miles / 12.9 km Day 4 Loop Walk via Combe Martin 12 miles / 19.3 km Day 5 Free day in Ilfracombe or boat trip to Lundy Island Day 6 Exmoor National Park 8 miles / 12.9 km Day 7 Valley of the Rocks Loop Walk 9 miles / 14.5 km Day 8 Onward TravelBlog Articles
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