Dartmoor Cycling, Dartmoor, Dartmoor National Park

Dartmoor Cycling, Dartmoor, Dartmoor National Park

This listing is intended as an introduction to cycling in, and around, Dartmoor National Park. For detail, we'd recommend buying a copy of Harvey British Mountain Map's 'Dartmoor and the surrounding area for cyclists for off-road cycling and cycle touring'.

 

Family Cycling Routes

1. Granite Way. Off-road cycle route running between Okehampton and Lydford on the north western border of the National Park.

2. Drake's Trail. Mostly off-road cycle route running between Tavistock and Plymouth on the western and south western border of Dartmoor. The well-known Plym Valley Trail is part of Drake's Trail.

3. Wray Valley Trail. Being built 2014. There are sections of the trail open to the public at present including the stretch from Bovey Tracey along Parke which is ideal for very young children.

4. Haldon Forest just beyond the north eastern border of Dartmoor National Park. Off-road trails in this popular forest. Attracts visitors from The English Riviera and South Devon as well so it can get busy.

5. Tamar Trails Centre just beyond Tavistock and the western border of Dartmoor National Park. Amazing place in an old mining district. There's a network of off-road trails including one that takes you down to the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Morwellham Quay.

6. Granite and Gears Princetown and Burrator Cycling Route. A tougher circular family route running from Princetown to Burrator Reservoir before returning back over the moors to your starting point.

7. Granite and Gears Princetown Railway Cycling Routes. The trackbed of a dismantled railway runs between Princetown and Yelverton. Explore the loop around Foggintor and Swelltor Quarries.

8. Bellever Forest. There's a network of forest roads to enjoy. The Forestry Commission writes that 'cyclists are welcome, but please stay on the stoned forest roads'.

9. Fernworthy Forest. A tarmac road runs from the main car park to the heart of the forest. As is the case with Bellever, there's a network of forest roads to enjoy as well.

 

Bike Hire

1. Granite Way Cycles Hire at Okehampton Station at the beginning, or end, of the Granite Way.

2. Devon Cycle Hire on the Granite Way.

3. Dartmoor Cycles in Tavistock at the beginning, or end, of Drake's Trail.

4. Tavistock Cycles in Tavistock at the beginning, or end, of Drake's Trail.

5. Leg O'Mutton Cycle Hire at Cornershop at Yelverton on Drake's Trail.

6. Plymouth Bike Hire at Coypool Park and Ride on the edge of Plymouth on Drake's Trail near Saltram House.

7. Plymouth Bike Hire at Plymouth Barbican/Plymouth Hoe at the beginning, or end, of Drake's Trail.

8. Princetown Cycle Hire/Fox Tor Cafe Cycle Hire at Fox Tor Cafe at Princetown.

9. Forest Cycle Hire at Haldon Forest.

10. Tamar Trails Cycle Hire at the heart of a netowrk of trails.

 

Electric Bicycles

1. Dartmoor Electric Bicycles.

 

Road Cycling Routes

1. Dartmoor Way Cycle Route. This is a 95 mile circular route that runs, roughly speaking, around the high moors of Dartmoor National Park. It's exceptionally well signposted. There's also a high moorland link that cuts across the National Park from Buckfastleigh in the east to Tavistock in the west.

For detail, we'd recommend buying a copy of Harvey British Mountain Map's 'Dartmoor and the surrounding area for cyclists for off-road cycling and cycle touring'.

 

Mountain Bike Routes

1. Lustleigh Cleave. There are some extraordinary mountain biking routes in the cleave. The section from Water down to Clam Bridge is steep. Watch out for walkers as Lustleigh Cleave is a popular place.

2. Army roads extending from Okehampton Camp on Dartmoor's north plateau.

3. Princetown and Burrator referred to in the family cycling routes section.

For detail, we'd recommend buying a copy of Harvey British Mountain Map's 'Dartmoor and the surrounding area for cyclists for off-road cycling and cycle touring'.