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You are here > Things To Do > Activities > Cycling & Cycle Routes in Devon
The Tamar Trails is an all day attraction for families who love the outdoors. This a child friendly…
This is a day of adventure you won’t forget. We have tree top activities suitable for all ages (4…
Create your own adventure at Roadford Lake Between Okehampton and Launceston, PL16 0RL …
Coast or country, moorland or canal, straight line or circle, there is a wonderful abundance of family-friendly cycle routes in Devon to suit all moods covering everything from 3 to 30 miles.
Cycling in Devon means skimming through wonderful scenery on amazing cycle routes, through unspoilt villages and wild moorlands - there are nearly 150 miles of the National Cycle Network in Devon.
Try the stunning route through North Devon on the Tarka Trail, one of the many routes around Plymouth, or the Exe Estuary Trail, a 20 mile cycle ride around the glorious River Exe. Designed to give visitors memories to treasure, you'll find these routes exciting yet safe for families and novice cyclists.
Take a look at this great video for a fantastic 50 mile cycle route in North Devon that takes in beautiful beaches and glorious countryside.
To explore Devon by bike is to really experience its full beauty. There are lots and lots of Devon cycle routes, paths and trails to choose from, so hop on and you’ll find stunning coastal scenes, rolling green hills and glorious woodlands – plus friendly pubs and cafes in which to refuel.
Where: this 26 mile, mainly flat cycle route and walkway runs around the entire Exe Estuary, and has fantastic views along the River Exe. It’s mainly off-road, and links Exmouth to Dawlish Warren, via Topsham and Exeter, and forms part of National Cycle Network 2
You’ll see: stunning wildlife, and pass through some beautiful riverside towns and villages. The Exe Estuary is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Protection Area (SPA, and Ramsar Site, so it’s great for bird watching.
Where: the trail runs in a 180 mile figure-of-eight through landscapes little changed from those described by Henry Williamson in his classic 1927 novel Tarka The Otter. It passes through beautiful coastal and inland towns and villages including Lynmouth, Barnstaple, Bideford, Torrington, Okehampton and Ilfracombe, and parts of it coincide with the South West Coast Path, the Two Moors Way and the Dartmoor Way. Bike hire is available at various locations along the trail.
You’ll see: North Devon’s internationally important coastal Biosphere Reserve, and also pass through ancient woodland, craggy clifftops, bubbling streams, farmland and moorland.
Where: this purpose-built mountain bike trail near Paignton is great for all abilities. With three downhill trails of approx 500m long, the trails are built to a professional standard, and there’s also an area for beginners and skills training area with riding obstacles and dual slalom track.
You’ll see: 13 acres of lovely woodland surroundings, with badger setts and important wildflower areas
Also near here: Torbay’s velopark, the only outdoor closed road circuit in Devon and Cornwall which welcomes both amateur and professional cyclists.
Where: the route covers a 12 mile circular journey around this beautiful part of South Devon, along quiet country lanes,roads and bridleways.
You’ll see: superb and varied scenery and lots of evidence of the area’s local maritime history, plus glimpses of local wildlife if you’re lucky.
Where: this network of walking and cycling routes runs along the western edge of Dartmoor for 21 miles between Tavistock and Plymouth, and takes in lots of places of historical interest. The Trail also includes the long-established Plym Valley Trail, and creates a network of safe and easy cycling and walking opportunities for all the family to enjoy, with lots of coffee shops and pubs alon the way
You’ll see: the trails take you through wooded river valleys, across open moorland, and up close to fascinating wildlife and history. Follow the whole route and you’ll see iconic features such as Gem Bridge, Grenofen Tunnel, Burrator Reservoir, Sir Francis Drake’s birthplace at Crowndale Farm near Tavistock, and his former residence at Buckland Abbey near Yelverton.
Where: cycle from Sutton Harbour and the Barbican along the easy route to Plymouth Hoe then onto Millbay and Stonehouse before arriving at the historic Royal William Yard
You’ll see: Plymouth’s waterfront offers some fantastic sights, including the iconic Smeaton’s Tower as well as excellent views across Plymouth Sound and the Tinside lido, as well as Mountbatten, Drake’s Island and the Mount Edgcumbe Estate in Cornwall.
Find more active things to do in Devon
And if you don't have your own bikes, no problem - you can hire them locally. There are a number of organisations that offer equipment hire whether that’s helmets, bikes or accessories. Some of them even have a number of accessible bikes in stock, so make sure to ask when you arrive if there is something in particular you need.
Number of results: 13
Lifton
Create your own adventure at Roadford Lake
Between Okehampton and Launceston, PL16 0RL
Roadford Lake, situated in the beautiful surroundings of the Wolf Valley, is…
TAVISTOCK
The Tamar Trails is an all day attraction for families who love the outdoors. This a child friendly attraction where you can explore the network of woodland trails on bike or…
TAVISTOCK
This is a day of adventure you won’t forget. We have tree top activities suitable for all ages (4 years upwards) located in the stunning Tamar Valley on the Devon Cornwall…
Exeter
See our Covid-19 procedures here.
Haldon Forest Park is made up of 3,500 acres of woodland, just 15 minutes from Exeter. Open 364 days a year, it’s the perfect place to…
Barnstaple
John & Margaret Kempson started Tarka Trail Cycle Hire in 1989, shortly after the disused Barnstaple to Bideford line was converted for recreational use and given the…
Active England Tours include cycling and biking, walking, adventure weekends and multisport tours, through beautiful countryside and a host of iconic places. Our tours visit…
East Prawle
East Prawle Cycling Route: Trade and Settlement
This is a classic bike route through superb and varied scenery, along a nice mix of green lanes and country roads. Enough…
Bovey Tracey
Distance: 9 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
End points: Newton Abbot (Grid Ref SX 872 706)
Bovey Tracey (Grid Ref SX 814 782).
This is a linear route that links the two…
Okehampton
Distance: 11 miles Difficulty: Easy to moderate End points: Okehampton Station (Grid Ref SX 592 944) Lydford (Grid Ref SX 516 852). This is a new, truly spectacular and…
Tiverton
Distance: 9 miles Difficulty: Easy End points: Tiverton (Grid Ref SS 955 124) Willand (Grid Ref ST 039 115). This is a lovely peaceful cycle route, often along the towpath,…
Tavistock
Distance: 26 miles
Difficulty: Moderate/Hard
End points: Tavistock (Grid Ref SX 481 744).
Tavistock (Grid Ref SX 481 744).
Tavistock is a thriving market town. The…
Exmouth / Budleigh Salterton
Distance: 6 miles
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
End points: Exmouth Station (Grid Ref SX 999 811)
Budleigh Salterton (Grid Ref SY 067 819).
This is a lovely relaxing…
Exeter
Exeter has numerous cycle routes (including bus and cycle lanes) as well as quiet roads identified as part of a cycle network. These have been constructed to help cyclists…
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