Tarr Steps and River Barle Walk

Route Description for Tarr Steps and River Barle Walk

If you are after a nice and easy walking route in Exmoor National Park that will allow you to explore the winding banks of a river set within a peaceful woodland setting, then the Tarr Steps and River Barle Walk is a fantastic option that is waiting for you in Somerset. There are a few inclines along the route and portions of the trail are rocky and bogged down with mud at times, so make sure to wear proper walking boots for your adventure. This trail also passes through a nature reserve that is home to a number of animal species such as river otters and salmon, so please be courteous and leave the landscape as you found it.

Setting out from the car park, you will follow the road to the southwest to pass by the Tarr Farm Inn and Restaurant before crossing over the iconic Tarr Steps. This 55 m long clapper bridge is the longest of its type and is largely believed to date back to the Medieval period, although some theories place it in the Bronze Age some thousand years earlier. In any case, it is a lovely piece of history that really adds to the charm of this walking route. After crossing over the bridge, you will walk along the western bank of the River Barle and enjoy the peaceful woodland setting, before crossing over a footbridge at the northern terminus of the trail. From here, you will follow along the east bank of the river, eventually meeting back up with the main road that you can follow to return to the car park.