The railway line at Torrington stopped providing passenger services in 1965, though it continued carrying goods until closure in 1982. The trail runs alongside the River Torridge which inspired Henry Williamson to write Tarka the Otter. As you travel through this beautiful area of North Devon you may spot Deer, Rabbits, Squirrels, Otters, Kingfishers, Salmon and many other species of birds, wildlife and flowers. TORRINGTON TO MEETH - This stretch of the Tarka Trail provides 11 miles of track travelling in a Southerly direction. This is a quieter, scenic route which takes you through woodland and countryside to Watergate, East Yarde, Petrockstowe then concludes at Meeth. You can see Dartmoor in the distance. TORRINGTON TO BRAUNTON - If you travel north you will follow the River Torridge towards Bideford, Instow, Fremington, Barnstaple and Braunton. The trail is 21 miles long in this direction. This direction follows the route taken by Tarka the Otter in Henry Williamson's renowned book and film, and indeed much of the filming took place along this stretch of the trail. Williamson describes Tarkas' birthplace as being in the shadow of Beam Aqueduct.
