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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 and has been awarded  Walkers are Welcome status.

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 the centre for some of the finest walking country in England. Whether you enjoy a gentle promenade walk around Capstone Hill, the rugged coastal path or prefer the river valleys and tranquillity of the moorland hills of Exmoor National Park you will find the scenery spectacular. Words somehow cannot fully capture this natural beauty, this 'great outdoors'.

The North Devon Coast path stretched from Hartland in the West, to Lynmouth in the East and encompasses such a variety of countryside, from the mighty hogback cliffs of Great Hangman, to the sweeping golden sands and wild surf at Woolacombe, to the calmer waters of the estuary of the Taw and Torridge rivers.

The coast path between Woolacombe and Lynton with Ilfracombe at its heart is breathtaking in more ways than one. Why not base yourself in Ilfracombe, walk a section of this path each day and be at one with nature.

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.

The UK's most scenic Walking Festival is held right here in North Devon and Exmoor, with a nine day event in the Spring over May Day Bank Holiday and an Autumn Festival held at the end of September.  Full details can be found at  www.exmoorwalkingfestival.co.uk.