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Great cycle routes for autumn rides

21st October 2019

Categories: Visitor News

Devon’s countryside looks amazing in the sunshine. That’s an indisputable fact. The lush greenery, the blue skies, the sound of birds singing, the flowers dotting the hedgerows and peeking through the grass. Summer is a truly beautiful time of year for exploring the county’s many cycleways and we all know when it’s a nice day, we’re all much more inclined to get out and about in nature. Don’t let the lack of greenery put you off though, for when autumn hits and the leaves start to change colour, Devon’s rural areas gain a whole new level of beauty. You can’t deny that the russet colours look amazing against the deep blues of an autumnal sky, so why not see the countryside in a whole new light by heading out and enjoying some of the region’s cycle routes.

The beauty of these routes and trails is that you don’t have to be limited to using a bike, you’re just as welcome to walk it or use mobility aids, everyone no matter what their ability is free to enjoy the great outdoors and take in the crisp scent of an autumnal day.

One of the most famous trails in the county, and also one that works just as well in autumn as it does earlier in the year, is the Tarka Trail. This route takes the form of a figure of eight and runs over 180 miles through some of the most beautiful towns and countryside that Devon has to offer. Parts of it also coincide with the South West Coast Path and being such a long route with a clear start and end, you can pick it up wherever you like along the route. Not got your own bike? Not a problem, you can find plenty of cycle hire places at various locations along the trail and its suitable for the whole family.
If you’ve come to Devon purely to explore these routes, the Tarka Trail is surrounded by great places to stay as well as a number of other fun activities to keep you entertained if you feel like it is too wet or too cold to be outdoors.
Part of the trail is in Barnstaple, one of Devon’s oldest towns where you’ll find various accommodation options. If you’re interested in staying in a hotel where you can be guaranteed comfortable rooms and a nice warm shower to greet you after being out on your bike, the Barnstaple Hotel has several premium facilities including a heated pool and a leisure club which is free to hotel guests as well as an award-winning fine dining restaurant.

For those of you who want a cosy home from home where you can more easily store your own bikes, take a look at the properties on offer from My Favourite Holiday Cottages who have cottages at a variety of locations, so you can choose the one that is right for you. In the neighbouring Braunton, you can stay in luxurious holiday homes at the Croyde Bay Holiday Resort which has the added bonus of being a short walk from the famous Croyde Bay. Basing yourself in this part of Devon will also give you easy access to a whole host of walking trails and the National Trust managed Baggy Point.

Image: Tamar Trails

Whatever the weather, you’re sure of a great experience riding or walking around the Tamar Trails in Tavistock. The woodland trails are perfect for exploring on bike or by foot and with the abundance of outdoor activities, is ideal for anyone looking to entertain the children. There are so many trails around the site that you can return over and over again and never see the same thing twice! You can even explore by river if you want and see what the changing season is doing to the wildlife and scenery by booking a trip via Canoe Tamar. In the same area is Tree Surfers, where you can join in a host of tree top activities suitable for the whole family. If you decide you’ve had enough of the outdoors and want to learn more about the region’s heritage, Morwellham Quay provides an interactive and fun educational experience through its range of exhibits and activities.

Image: Tree surfers.

Obviously that’s a lot to pack into one day, so why not stay over and spread it across a couple of days? Harford Bridge Holiday Park is close by and being set in part of the Dartmoor National Park, you’ll be in an excellent position for watching the landscape change as autumn trundles on. If you have your own mobile caravans or fancy pitching a tent and sleeping under canvas, take a look at the spaces available at Tavistock Camping and Caravanning Club Site.

Visiting the Tavistock area means you’re not far from Dartmoor where you can explore to your hearts content. The National Park has vast, open spaces perfect for walking or cycling and there are a host of organisations offering activities and events all around the moor. Not only will staying in this area give you a chance to catch site of the famous Dartmoor Ponies, but you’ll have plenty of scenery around you. Langstone Manor Park can be found on the south west of Dartmoor and offers the perfect escape for those wanting to enjoy the wide range of activities that are available on Dartmoor and there are several different accommodation options, so you can find the property that best suits you.
The Dartmoor National Park is a huge area, so you’re sure to find new spaces to visit every time you go.

Image: Roadford Lake.

Based between Okehampton and Launceston you’ll find Roadford Lake where you can create your own adventures on foot, two wheels or on the water. The lake is set within the beautiful Wolf Valley, which is around 10 miles or so from Dartmoor. The network of footpaths and cycle tracks around the lack are suitable for all ages and abilities and dogs are welcome, as long as they stay out of the water! You can continue the adventure by staying at Wolf Wood Treehouses, which perfectly combines luxury and wilderness or at the Arundell Arms Hotel and Restaurant which has an AA 2 Rosette restaurant which is incredibly popular.

Have we convinced you to get out and about this autumn?

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