Devon
Saddle Up! Best 9 Devon Cycle Trails Revealed!
Saddle Up! Best 9 Devon Cycle Trails Revealed!
Wray Valley Trail by Guy Wareham under license CC BY-SA 4.0
Are you an avid cyclist looking for the ultimate challenge? Devon is renowned for its stunning landscapes and ambitious terrain – perfect for those who are lured by the call of adventure on two wheels!
With many diverse cycling trails across the county, ranging from leisure rides to hair-raising hills, even keen cyclists can find something that will suit their abilities.
Whether you’re pedalling around gentle rolling paths or tackling daredevil descents, a ride through Devonshire countryside promises both beauty and exhilaration - this is cycling at its best! So if you're keen to explore Devon's countryside like never before, hop on your bike and start pedalling along one (or several!) of these spectacular cycling routes.
The table above lists all the best cycle routes in Devon. Click on each name to be taken straight to the part of the blog post for that route.
Get an Adrenaline Rush on the Top Bike Trails in Devon
Wray Valley Trail
Discover the tranquil beauty of the Wray Valley Trail - an 11km multi-use path that winds through stunning scenery from Bovey Tracey to Moretonhampstead.
Follow in the footsteps of the Victorians as you journey along the disused Moretonhampstead branch line, passing through the National Trust Parke Estate and the charming village of Lustleigh. With a mainly traffic-free route and a scenic surface throughout, it's the perfect way to explore the area.
Just be sure to take extra care on the narrow and hilly on-road section in Lustleigh, and keep an eye out for remnants of the railway along the way.
Devon Coast to Coast
Experience the beauty of Devon on the Devon Coast to Coast - a stunning 99-mile route connecting Ilfracombe and Plymouth.
This iconic route winds through the heart of Devon with traffic-free sections along former railway lines. Enjoy sweeping views, cross breath taking viaducts and bridges, and pass through tunnels.
Admire the beaches and estuaries of North Devon, lush green river valleys, and moorlands of Dartmoor.
You'll also encounter charming market towns and experience the vitality of the bustling city of Plymouth. Don't miss out on this unforgettable journey.
Exe Estuary Trail passing Nutwell Park by David Smith under license CC BY-SA 4.0
Exe Estuary Trail
Discover the newly built cycle trail offering a hassle-free and primarily flat ride. Ride on South Coast National Cycle Network No.2 and explore the Exe Estuary Trail from Dawlish to Exmouth.
You'll experience picturesque towns like Starcross, Topsham, and Lympstone while seeing thousands of migratory birds in international wintering areas.
And if you're a wildlife enthusiast, head to RSPB reserves near Topsham and Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve for some of the best wildlife sightings along the estuary.
Plymbridge Woods
Explore the great outdoors with your loved ones on a thrilling bike ride along the path of an old Great Western Railway.
Starting from the outskirts of Plymouth, you'll cycle through beautiful oak forests before reaching the picturesque countryside.
Along the way, you'll witness stunning industrial ruins such as towering quarry faces and impressive viaducts. If you're lucky, you might even observe nesting wild peregrines.
So, breathe in the fresh air of the moorlands and make unforgettable memories with your family, any time of year.
North Devon: The Tarka Trail by Lewis Clarke under license CC BY-SA 4.0
The Tarka Trail
Experience breath taking views of the River Taw and Torridge estuaries while cycling on the family-friendly Tarka Trail.
This 32-mile traffic-free route takes you from Braunton to Meeth in North Devon, passing through stunning countryside and offering plenty of opportunities for picnics, cafes, and pubs along the way.
The Tarka Trail is part of the “Devon Coast to Coast” and follows the journey of Tarka the Otter from Henry Williamson’s classic tale.
With its easy cycling and smooth surface, this trail is perfect for cyclists of all levels.
Granite Way
Discover the beauty of Dartmoor on the Granite Way, an 11-mile walking and cycling trail along a former railway line from Okehampton to Lydford.
With stunning views of Bodmin Moor and the north Cornwall coast, this multi-use trail is almost completely flat and mostly traffic-free. Glide through the granite landscape and explore geological points of interest, all while enjoying an easy ride on a surfaced trail through estuary sides and wooded valleys.
Experience the Devon Coast to Coast (National Cycle Network Route 27) like never before on the Granite Way.
Grand Western Canal
Discover the tranquillity of mid-Devon countryside with this stunning 11-mile cycle route.
Stretching from Tiverton to Holcombe Rogus, this family-friendly path runs alongside a peaceful section of the Grand Western Canal and offers fantastic views of the Blackdown Hills.
The Canal towpath is smooth and level, covered in limestone chippings and dust, making it the perfect location for a leisurely ride.
Don't miss out on this wonderful cycling experience in the Country Park and Local Nature Reserve that's part of the West Country Way Cycle Route (NCN3), connecting Bristol to Padstow in Cornwall.
The Stover Trail
Discover the stunning Stover Trail - a traffic-free multi-use route connecting Newton Abbot to Bovey Tracey.
This family-friendly path, created as part of the Granite and Gears project, offers a smooth ride with mostly off-road, flat terrain.
Enjoy views of Stover Country Park and eventually explore beyond Lustleigh and Moretonhampstead in Dartmoor National Park. Experience the beauty of the great outdoors on the Stover Trail.
MTB: Haldon Forest Park
Discover stunning natural mountain biking opportunities at Haldon Forest Park!
Perfect for beginners and seasoned riders alike, this destination just outside of Exeter boasts views of the city and surrounding countryside.
Whether you're new to biking or a seasoned pro, don't miss out on this thrilling adventure!
Conclusion
In this blog post, we have shared some of the best Devon cycle routes. To find out more about things to do in this area, click on the links below:
Please note...
All outdoor activities including cycling involve a degree of risk. The routes are recommended due to the well known features of each route but this may change over time and further research is required before undertaking any activity. The weather can also impact the surface and general conditions of each route so please keep yourself updated with the weather forecast before setting off to enjoy your cycle!
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Crown Copyright, courtesy Forestry Commission (29/05/23) licensed under the Open Government License.