Granite and Gears Princetown Railway Cycling Routes, Princetown, Dartmoor National Park

Granite and Gears Princetown Railway Cycling Routes, Princetown, Dartmoor National Park

There are a number of family cycling trails on and around Dartmoor. This one is up there with the best.

In the main, Granite and Gears Princetown Railway Cycling Routes follow the trackbed of the old Princetown Railway (Princetown to Yelverton Railway Dismantled). There's a short route that sticks close to Princetown and a longer route that loops around the stunning Burrator Reservoir.

We've been cycling here for years with kids as young as eight and they've always completed the longer 30km trail without real problems. The only time it's been a struggle was when the wind was up and blowing from the north east. There's a gentle incline so the return journey cycling uphill and into the wind was tough.

Start from the car park by Princetown National Park Visitor Centre. If you don't have bikes, hire them from Fox Tor Cafe. Turn left at the entrance to the car park and you'll very shortly come to a track on your left that runs along the side of a field at the other side of which is Dartmoor Brewery. This track connects with the trackbed of the old Princetown Railway (Princetown to Yelverton Railway Dismantled).

Cycle the trackbed down to Foggintor Quarries.

If you want a short ride, loop around King's Tor to Swelltor Quarries. A path connects Swelltor Quarries to Foggintor Quarries. Ride or push your bike up this path (it's steep) and return to Princetown. It's about 10km.

If you want to enjoy the full route, follow the trackbed all the way down to the B3212. A new bridge is in place offering safe passage over the busy road. On the other side of the B3212 take the first skinny road on your left and follow it down to the main road that skirts Burrator Reservoir.

Cycle around the water to the main dam. Note that cars use this road although most drive slowly. There's usually an ice cream van by the main dam. From the dam, cycle north. Very shortly, you'll see a track to your right cutting back up the hill in the direction from which you have come. This takes you to the trackbed of the old Princetown Railway (Princetown to Yelverton Railway Dismantled). Return to Princetown using the same route. Remember the return journey is slightly uphill so it's more tiring.