Instow is a village located on the North Devon coast, characterized by its position at the confluence of the Rivers Taw and Torridge, forming the Taw-Torridge Estuary. This unique geography provides a diverse landscape of sandy beaches, estuary views, and varied terrain suitable for outdoor activities. The area offers opportunities for several sports like hiking, touring cycling, jogging, mountain biking, and more, with well-maintained trails and coastal paths.
For those seeking things to do in…
66
Routes
4.7
(139)
Average rating
1670
People visited

1
hikers
4.02km
01:02
20m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(20)
131
hikers
20.7km
05:22
120m
110m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(30)
96
hikers
7.25km
01:51
20m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
71
hikers
9.45km
02:26
40m
40m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.8
(18)
254
riders
27.1km
01:37
170m
170m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(13)
231
riders
18.3km
01:03
60m
60m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(9)
95
riders
17.7km
01:06
100m
100m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
38
riders
13.9km
00:48
60m
60m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(2)
56
runners
22.8km
02:24
140m
140m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

67
runners
7.19km
00:45
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

19
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
runners
4.67km
00:31
100m
100m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.4
(8)
60
riders
31.7km
01:41
130m
130m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
9
riders
29.8km
02:06
80m
80m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.0
(1)
3
riders
42.7km
02:45
550m
550m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
riders
20.4km
01:19
220m
220m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
31
riders
23.8km
01:03
190m
190m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

14
riders
78.4km
04:01
970m
970m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

13
riders
28.0km
01:23
190m
190m
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

10
riders
80.6km
04:04
990m
1,000m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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Instow offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, touring cycling, jogging, mountain biking, and road cycling. The region features 46 routes across these sports, explored by more than 27,000 visitors.
Instow provides diverse hiking terrain, from coastal paths to sections of the Tarka Trail. Specific routes and detailed information can be found in the Hiking around Instow guide.
Yes, Instow offers easy hiking options, particularly along the Tarka Trail, which is built on an old railway line. For specific routes, consult the Easy hikes around Instow guide.
Cycling in Instow is popular, especially on the Tarka Trail, a 180-mile (290-kilometer) traffic-free route. Other options include road cycling routes and mountain biking trails. More details are available in the Cycling around Instow guide.
Instow offers mountain biking opportunities on various trails catering to different skill levels. Information on specific routes can be found in the MTB Trails around Instow guide.
Jogging routes in Instow often utilize the Tarka Trail, which provides a flat and scenic path along the estuary. For a selection of routes, refer to the Running Trails around Instow guide.
Instow is considered a family-friendly destination. Its safe beaches and the Tarka Trail offer suitable environments for families to enjoy outdoor activities together.
Instow Beach is notably dog-friendly year-round, making it suitable for walks with dogs. Policies for specific trails may vary, but many public paths accommodate dogs.
Instow is situated at the Taw-Torridge Estuary, offering views of sandy beaches and the confluence of the Rivers Taw and Torridge. Other features include Croyde Whale Bones, Kipling Tors, and Mermaid's Pool.
The Tarka Trail is a 180-mile (290-kilometer) long, traffic-free route that passes directly through Instow. It is built on an old railway line and offers views of the North Devon countryside and the Taw-Torridge Estuary, suitable for hiking, cycling, and jogging.
Instow's outdoor routes are popular on komoot, with 46 routes having been explored by more than 27,000 visitors. The routes collectively hold an average rating of 4.45 out of 5 stars.
Yes, Instow and its surrounding area feature several viewpoints. Kipling Tors, for example, offers views overlooking Bideford Bay.

