11 - Bideford to Westward Ho!

Stage Distance: 8 miles (Total Distance: 88 miles)

What a fantastic day to take off work!   Shorts for the first time this year!  The tide was just starting to go out on leaving Bideford.  The tree-lined path follows the Torridge on the top of the cliffs, until opening out just before reaching the Appledore shipyard.  It then turns inland behind the shipyard and over fields before joining the road into Appledore.  It’s then road walking through Appledore, along the quay and finally through the narrow streets of brightly painted cottages of West Appledore until emerging with fine views over the Skern to Northam Burrows.  A good spot for lunch.

The low tide route is across the sand to Northam Burrows.  From here it’s only 900 yards across the river to Braunton Burrows, but it’s taken a walk of 18 miles to get from there to here! 

The path follows the road until it turns into the dunes and on to Grey Sand Hill.  It then follows the pebble ridge to Westward Ho! skirting round the landward side of Sandymere.

Logistics: Parked at Westward Ho!and took the 21 bus back to Bideford.
GPS Track: 11 - Bideford to Westward Ho! (20110319).kmz 
Images: 11 - Bideford to Westward Ho!