To explore opportunities for shorter circular walks and routes linking the Trail to other attractions, features of interest and facilities.

Development:
The following circular walks and links have been created from the Trail:

• Two Museums Walk
• Walks in Exbourne and Jacobstowe
• Walks around North Tawton
• Walks around Hatherleigh
• Mid Torridge Cycle Link
• Umberleigh Station - Chittlehamholt
• Ridge & Valley Walk (link to Two Moors Way and Chulmleigh)

A Henry Williamson circular walk is being planned around the Georgeham and Croyde area for 1998. The routes have been developed to try and maximise the economic benefits to rural communities near the Trail route. Funding for these developments has largely been the result of partnerships between the Project and district councils, and grant aided opportunities such as the LIFE Heart of Devon programme.

Walkers on a circular walk on Hatherleigh Moor taking in part of the Tarka Trail

Promotion: In Hatherleigh, walks information is linked with a local information point sited at a local business. Elsewhere a pilot scheme has been trialled giving actual route information at the starting point of the walks only. The route information is on returnable encapsulated cards, again available from a local business which can benefit from increased numbers coming to the premises. While there is great potential to continue this work, future development work on both cycle and footpath routes will be subject to staff and financial resources being available.

Issues

• Mechanisms need to be put in place at the planning stage to ensure the long term viability of both walks promotion and the maintenance of the route, to allow the initiating agency to withdraw.