The river describes a long loop through Devon farming country where its tributaries the Lew and Okement join before meeting the Taw at Appledore and flowing into the Bristol Channel.

The river is spate dependent and often flows between wooded banks which can be steep.

Between Appledore and Instow it joins the estuary of the River Taw and enters Bideford Bay.

The Tarka Trail walking and cycle route partly follows the course of the North Devon Railway, which, for a considerable distance, closely followed the line of the river.

South of Bideford the railway crossed from one bank to the other, and the Trail provides a good vantage point for viewing the river.