Devon Bike Rides
Devon Bike Rides
Whether you’re visiting or a resident, Devon has some spectacular riding trails and routes for both families and semi-pros. Check out our mini-guide to some of the most popular.
Family Friendly Rides
Exe Estuary Trail
This scenic route runs along the beautiful Exe Estuary connecting Exmouth and Dawlish Warren to Exeter Quay. The trail offers an almost entirely traffic-free experience and its 16 miles are wonderfully level. The route is popular with both cyclists and walkers and a perfect option for families and casual riders.
The trail takes you right around the Exe Estuary from Dawlish to Exmouth, passing through the pretty villages of Starcross, Topsham and Lympstone to name a few. The estuary is of international importance for wintering waders and wildfowl, supporting thousands of birds. RSPB reserves near Topsham and Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve offer some of the best opportunities to view wildlife along the estuary.
Tarka Trail
This entirely traffic free 32 mile trail from Braunton to Meeth in North Devon is fantastically flat and family friendly with breath-taking views across the estuaries of the River Taw and Torridge with many picnic spots, cafes and pubs along the route. Park of the “Devon Coast to Coast” it follows the journey of Tarka the Otter in the classic tale written by Henry Williamson. Popular with walkers also.
Drakes Trail
Drake’s Trail runs along the western edge of Dartmoor and forms part of the southern half of the Devon Coast to Coast (National Cycle Network Route 27).
This 21 mile walking and cycling route links Tavistock with Plymouth. Sections include the iconic Gem Bridge, the Grenogen Tunnel and the Clearbrook Ramp near Yelverton.
Granite Way
The Granite Way is an 11 mile traffic-free walking and cycling trail which runs along a disused railway line between Okehampton and Lydford. It is part of the Devon Coast to Coast (National Cycle Network Route 27).
The route provides an almost flat trail through the spectacular upland scenery of Dartmoor with magnificent views to the west as far as Bodmin Moor and the north Cornwall coast.
Stover Trail
The Stover Trail is a traffic-free multi-use route which connects Newton Abbot to Bovey Tracey. This 6 mile route was created as part of the Granite and Gears project, this flat route passes alongside the beautiful Stover County Park and will eventually extend towards Lustleigh and Moretonhampstead in Dartmoor National Park.
Great Western Canal
This route runs alongside a tranquil section of the Grand Western Canal from Tiverton to Holcombe Rogus. The 11 mile route is family friendly and offers stunning views across the Blackdown Hills.
Wray Valley Trail
The 11km, mainly traffic free, route links Bovey Tracey to Moretonhampstead. It follows the line of the old railway, which was closed to passengers in 1959, taking you through the National Trust Parke Estate and past the picturesque village of Lustleigh.
Challenges
Dartmoor Way
The Dartmoor Way is a 95 mile signed circular route, which winds its way around the natural beauty of Dartmoor National Park, linking hamlets, villages and towns along the way.
It takes cyclists through the varying landscape surrounding the High Moor, visiting attractive and interesting locations, which offer a wide choice of places to eat, drink and stay for the night. The well-signed route follows quiet Devon lanes and minor roads, and uses traffic-free cycle trails wherever possible.
In addition to the main circular route, there is a 27 mile-long High Moorland link.
The West Country Way
The West Country Way is a 240 mile route which stretches from Bristol to Padstow. The Devon section of the route runs from the Cornwall border near Holsworthy to the Somerset border east of Tiverton.
Over 70 miles of the route are traffic-free, and some of these sections form part of the Tarka Trail and Grand Western Canal routes through Devon. Cyclists will enjoy the challenge of the majestic landscape of Exmoor and the superb views of Dartmoor south of Hatherleigh.
Devon Coast to Coast
The Devon Coast to Coast is a 99 mile route which links Ilfracombe on the north coast with Plymouth on the south coast. This classic route through the heart of Devon has large traffic-free sections and traces the course of former railway lines.
Passing through tunnels and across breath-taking viaducts and bridges, the route takes in spectacular views, the beaches and estuaries of North Devon, the lush green river valleys and moorlands of Dartmoor, a range of market towns and the bustling city of Plymouth.
Devon Climbs
For those that like to ride uphill and tick off the well-known climbs, then Devon has some real leg testers.
Here are five that are well worth clipping in for:
Haytor Vale, Dartmoor
Used previously in the Tour of Britain as a summit finish, it starts in Bovey Tracey and finishes over 5 kilometres later at the top of Haytor Hill. It has an average gradient of 6%. Strava segment
Widecombe Hill, Dartmoor
Another hill climb favourite, Widecombe lies in the Dartmoor National Park. With a maximum gradient of 20% and an average of 12% over 1.3 kilometres this is a lung busting ascent. Chris Boardman won the national hill climb competition there in 1990 in four minutes and ten seconds; don’t expect to come close! Strava segment
Rundlestone, Dartmoor
Here’s one for those that like to get into a rhythm on a longer climb. Whilst Rundlestone only has an average gradient of 4% (maximum 13%), it includes a couple of flat sections and a slight downhill so the climbing elements are far steeper. At 8.7 kilometres long, it’s one of the longest in the county and finishes high on Dartmoor. Strava segment
Salcombe Hill, near Sidmouth
Starting outside Sidmouth and heading towards Salcombe Regis, this is a short but steep climb at 1.2km in length with an average gradient of 13% (maximum 20%). Strava segment
Challacombe Hill, near Croyde
Another short and sharp ascent, Challacombe has previously staged the National Hill Climbing Championships. Starting near to the coast line, this climb rears up sharply and averages 12% over its 1.3 kilometre length. Strava segment
Mountain Biking
Gawton Gravity Hub
Gawton Gravity Hub offers over 500ft of unrivalled gravity fed descent. Nine tracks with everything from flowy single track, to steep technical descending, Gawton Gravity Hub has all a gravity addict needs to get hooked and wanting more. This is a private track with day passes starting from £10 and annual membership from £50
Tavi Woodlands
Owned and managed by Gawton the trails here are rougher and ungroomed with not a sign in sight. There are jumps, drops and roots abound making this a great place to progress your airtime skills.
Haldon Forest
Haldon Forest Trail Centre located just outside Exeter is home to a range of Mountain Bike Singletrack cross country trails for all abilities.
Trails cover all grades which makes it a great venue for everyone from the complete novice to experienced riders. From the green rated Discovery Trail on to the Blue Challenge Trail as well as the Red Graded Ridge Ride trail with a tough black section on the lower slopes with a gruelling fire road climb plus there's a whole host of unmarked lines that are well worth exploring!
Dartmoor Bike Park
Dartmoor Bike Park is located at River Dart Country Park in Ashburton, Devon. With an impressive Freeride Area designed and built by ex-pro BMXer Kye Forte, the skills area consists of four runs graded from blue to orange. The range of short runs contain sizeable jumps, a ‘boner log’ drop and a mulch trick jump. Gravity fuelled riding is now possible at Dartmoor Bike Park! This is a private track with day passes from £4.50 and annual membership from £50.
Scadson Freeride Park
Scadson Freeride park is a 13-acre woodland site, located within Scadson woods in Torbay. It consists of 9 downhill trails each of which is approximately 500m long. Day passes cost £5 and annual membership £30.
Dartmoor National Park
If downhill days are not for you and you prefer the challenge of an all-day epic cross country adventure then look no further than Dartmoor National Park. Renowned within the biking community for its long gruelling climbs, technical boulder strewn descents that make you feel like Danny Macaskill and big open desolate panoramas. The best technical riding can be found around the Lustleigh Cleave area, but for beginner and family friendly riding head to Princetown where you will find the fully surfaced and signposted Granite and Gears routes.
Exmoor National Park
Exmoor boasts some of the most varied cross country riding in the UK. With coastal, wooded and open moorland trails, there are some truly challenging roller coaster bedrock descents that may even distract you from the lung busting climbs! The general consensus seems to be that the village of Porlock makes the best base for big singletrack rides, whilst the Wimbleball reservoir is the most popular family/beginner ride. With over 260 square miles of bridleway and a little help from an OS map, you’ll fine some great riding in Exmoor.
Woodbury Common
The lesser known, Woodbury common, is a beautiful spot just outside of Exmouth offering a great escape into wild open heathland. Though it may not offer huge climbs and descents, there is a fun little roller coaster path that skirts most of the perimeter, as well as a hidden set of downhill trails with jumps in the forest near Yettington. The appeal lies in the fun of being able to have a quick, no fuss cross country blast around without ever being too far from the car.
Exeter Bike Park
Exeter Bike Park is a new and exciting project which has developed from working with the UK’s number one bike park designer and trail builder, Kye Forte.
A conveniently located, family run mountain bike park situated only a stone throw away from Exeter, A30 & M5. They have MTB trails built for all abilities, from fast and flowy blues to the gnarly dirt jump playground.
