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GUIDE TO THE RIVER BARLE (Withypool to Tarr Steps) NAME OF RIVER: Barle. WHERE IS IT?: The River Barle runs from northern Exmoor (Somerset) south to join the River Exe. It's pretty much drains the opposite side of the hill from the much harder River Lyn. PUT-INS/ TAKE-OUTS: This section begins at Withypool where there is a small carpark a hundred yards up the road river right of the bridge. Finish at Tarr Steps. It's important to mention that there is no parking by the river - instead, use the tourist car park up the hill. Alternatively, carry on down the next section. APPROX LENGTH: 5miles. TIME NEEDED: 1-2 hours. ACCESS SITUATION: No paddlling permitted here. Steve Balcombe - 'The access agreement stipulates no paddling above Tarr Steps. This has been the case for at least six or seven years, although the Barle was indeed regularly paddled from Withypool at one time. The access agreement on this river is generally pretty fair, so we wouldn't want to jeopardise it by encouraging anyone to paddle the top section. Access Officer: Tarr Steps to Exbridge is open October - March; Marsh Bridge to Exebridge is also open April.' WATER LEVEL INDICATORS: I have only paddled this in medium/ low levels when you can (just) duck under Tarr Steps and it is graded accordingly. I understand that the difficulty and danger increases somewhat in higher water. GRADING: Grade 2 with some easy 3. Again, apparently harder in high water. MAJOR HAZARDS/ FALLS: Trees. GENERAL DESCRIPTION: From the bridge in Withypool village, there is a miniature weir under the bridge and then downstream the water is flat at first, but gradually steepens to simple bouldery rapids. It is about five miles down to Tarr Steps, the current upper limit of access. During this distance the river gets progressively trickier with a long rapid (Grade 3?) in the final mile. There is a cable bridge low over the river hidden somewhere in this final mile. This is arguably the best section of whitewater on the whole length of the Barle. You won't miss Tarr Steps; it's an ancient stone footbridge which gives little room for ducking underneath or may need portaging if the river is high. OTHER NOTES: The river is also paddleable from higher up at Simonsbath in high water. CONTRIBUTED BY: Mark Rainsley. |
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