Goldeneye Dartmoor Off-Road Bike Routes

Explore Dartmoor by bike with this laminated, waterproof Dartmoor map. With 10 brilliant, circular touring routes, this easy-to-use cycling map will take you off the beaten track and help you discover the best trails on Dartmoor. Each route has been chosen for its overall quality - a firm belief that bikes are for riding, the inclusion of technical difficulty for its own sake, or too much pushing or carrying, has been avoided wherever possible. All are circular, and where possible start at, or near to, main roads or railway stations, to avoid creating extra motorised traffic on the quiet lanes that we are intending to travel. The direction chosen is intended to provide the best views, and more importantly, to keep the steepest and longest climbs on tarmac or similar surfaces, and the best downhills, off-road. The routes are made up as follows: Easy - Almost flat routes, usually around 10 miles in length and on good surfaces that in all but extreme conditions should be 100% rideable. With easy navigation and any real climbs on tarmac, these are particularly suitable for beginners or family groups. Moderate - More challenging routes, generally of 12 to 15 miles over more undulating terrain and varied surfaces (possibly including mud when wet). More exciting downhills, and steeper climbs may need the occasional push. More strenuous - Possibly longer routes with significant ascents which will certainly need pushing or carrying. Steep and/or technical, and rough and rocky descents. May cross high, remote moorland, requiring appropriate equipment and experience. 

Goldeneye Exmoor & North Devon: Cycling Country Lanes & Traffic-Free Family Routes

This Map covers the Exmoor National Park and North Devon; an area with a wide variety of coastal and inland scenery, much historic, architectural and leisure interests. The Exmoor National Park is largely in Somerset, with a small portion lying in Devon. At times the climate is harsh with mist, cloud and rain, and is reminiscent of Scotland. When the skies clear, the wild, wide beauty is unsurpassed. The landscape is undulating, full of rolling hills, marshland, bracken, heather and gorse, and divided by swift flowing streams which cut through the steep-sided valleys, known as combes. The rolling moorland provides splendid views seawards across the Bristol Channel to Wales. In places the coast is crowned with high cliffs falling precipitously to the sea.  The Exmoor sheep and wild ponies are seen everywhere, as can be found buzzard and raven. The roaming red deer is rarely seen close to, they feed at night and by day lie hidden in the woods or bracken. North Devon is a rural landscape of small villages, rich pastures, secluded coves and long sandy beaches popular with the surfing fraternity. The two ancient ports of Barnstaple and Bideford have grown beside the wide estuary of the Taw and Torridge rivers. Stretching southwards from these ports is the gentle pastoral countryside known as 'The Land of the Two Rivers' so vividly brought to life in the works of Henry Williamson. The warm equable climate, together with the nature of the countryside provides excellent recreational opportunities, particularly for the cyclist and mountain biker, walker, horseman, fisherman and surfer. The area also contains a sufficient variety of cultural and urban interests to satisfy all tastes. So, if you seek quiet country lanes, river valleys and routes along flat ridges affording spectacular sea views that swoop down to picturesque villages with tearooms awash with clotted cream, and hospitable country inns. Look no more. It is all here.   Happy Cycling, Al ChurcherRecommended Routes/TrailsNational Cycle Network (NCN) & Regional RoutesThis comprises three Regional Routes (RR) and is bounded by the National Cycle Network Route (NCN) 3 to the south, and the NCN 27 to the west. 1. Regional Route 56: This is a link between NCN 3 at Bratton Fleming and RR 51 at Berrynarbor. (J4) 2. RR 51: Links coastal towns and villages; Ilfracombe - Combe  Martin – Trentishoe – Martinhoe – Lynmouth – Malmsmead. (G2) 3. RR 59: Links Exmoor with the coast; Kinsford Gate – Simonsbath – Lynmouth. (K4)4. NCN 27 Devon Coast to Coast: Ilfracombe – Mortehoe – Woolacombe – Croyde – Upcott – Braunton – Barnstaple, then onto the NCN 27 towards Dartmoor and Plymouth. (F2) 5. NCN 3 The West Country Way; Bristol – Padstow via Exmoor, Barnstaple, Instow (Tarka Trail to Petrockstow). (G9) Traffic-Free Family Routes/Trails1. The Tarka Cycle Trail (part of NCN 3 & 27) runs on tarmac from Braunton – Barnstaple, then beside the Taw Estuary to Instow, up beside the River Torridge to the Puffing Billy pub below Torrington. Crossing the river to Watergate Bridge, the trails joins a bridlepath and is cycleable on a hybrid, touring and folding bike all the way to Meeth. Excellent café at Yard - Railway summit (F8). Distance 32 miles/51kms - all traffic-free. (F4) 2. Ilfracombe to Willingcott Cross. Easy family trail along former railway line with waymarked links to Woolacombe. Distance 3 miles/5kms. (F2) 3. Grand Western Canal (NCN 3). Quiet, family cycling trail along canal path, to and from Tiverton. Distance 8 miles/13kms. (P8) 4. Willand to Tiverton Parkway. With link to NCN 3, this is a flat, traffic-free path. Also links up with the Grand Western Canal at Sampford Peverell. Distance 3 miles/5kms. (R8) 

Goldeneye Dartmoor & South Devon: Cycling Country Lanes & Traffic-Free Family Routes

Dartmoor. One of England’s greater National Parks; the Forest of Dartmoor covers 365 square miles and contains the highest ground in England south of the Peak District. On its desolate moorland tracks the wanderer can believe they are further from a public road than anywhere in the country, but on the fringes lush valleys lead down on every side to thick woodland, green vegetation and picturesque villages. Dartmoor is well known for its wildlife - attractive herds of ponies, seemingly wild but in fact individually owned, foxes, badgers and otters - also the occasional adder. Fallow, roe and Sitka deer can often be seen, but the red deer of Exmoor have never penetrated the area. Buzzards, kestrels and various Birds of Prey are frequently seen, as well as the wheatear, while crows, ravens and the skylark are fairly commonplace. The Moor abounds in prehistoric remains. There are also many deserted medieval villages with remains of the traditional ‘longhouse’ buildings. For centuries tin mining has been an important activity and there is much to interest the industrial archaeologist, including abandoned tramways and railways of more recent times - notably the Princetown Railway, once the highest railway line in England, now a moderately easy mountain bike track.  The South Hams. Stretching from Plymouth to Salcombe and Start Point, and up the eastern coastline to Dartmouth. This curiously named area, based on the old English name ‘Hamme’ meaning enclosed or sheltered place, is one of rocky coasts and beaches broken up by the tidal estuaries of the Yealm, Erme and Avon, and the lovely stretch of water below Kingsbridge with its quiet creeks delving far inland. High cliffs mostly dominate the coastline, but here and there are attractive little villages of thatched cottages; Wembury, Bigbury, Inner and Outer Hope. Inland is a pastoral landscape of rolling hills and red-earthed fields bisected by twisty roads beneath high hedges.  So, if you seek the peace of quiet country lanes, the beauty of lush river valleys and the heaven sent views across Dartmoor, afforded by flat ridges which soon swoop you down to picturesque villages with tea rooms awash with clotted cream, and hospitable inns. Look no more. It is all here.  Happy Cycling, Al Churcher Recommended Routes/Trails National Cycle Network (NCN) 1. Devon Coast to Coast (NCN Route 27) Ilfracombe to Plymouth 164km/102 miles, 51km/32 miles of continuous traffic-free trail from Braunton-Meeth. Joins the Granite Way at Okehampton (see above), and from Lydford follows the western fringes of Dartmoor to Tavistock, and south from there to more traffic-free sections along the superb Drake’s Trail, (see above) leading to Plymouth Ho! (B7)  2. Southern Coastal Route (NCN Route 2) Plymouth to Dorset, and beyond. This is currently being developed and is planned to pass through Totnes, Newton Abbot, and beside the Teign Estuary, Teignmouth, Dawlish, beside the Exe Estuary to Exeter, and on through Sidmouth, Seaton and Axminster.  Regional Routes  a) Plymouth to Totnes 32 km/20 miles. Suitable for commuting and utility cycling. From Plymouth (Deep Lane, A38 flyover), the route parallels the A38 trunk road through Lee Mill, Ivybridge and South Brent. Branching out to Rattery, Dartington and Totnes along quiet lanes. (B7)  b) Totnes (Ashprington) to East Portlemouth. From Ashprington the route follows quiet, country lanes to Blackawton. With some challenging hill sections offering fine views. Passenger ferry carries cycles between East Portlemouth and Salcombe. Follow NCN2 signs all the way. (F7) Traffic-Free Family Routes  Traffic-Free Family Routes/Trails 1. The Granite Way (NCN Route 27) 18km/11 miles. Ideal family cycling between Okehampton and Lydford along former railway with superb views of Dartmoor and the West Devon countryside. Crossing two spectacular viaducts; Meldon and Lake. With short, on-road section via Bridestowe, continuing to Lydford (& Café) along former railway line. (C3)  2. Drake’s Trail. This is a 21-mile cycling and walking route between Plymouth (formerly the Plym Valley Cycle Track to Clearbook) and Tavistock. It is part of the National Cycle Route 27 (Devon Coast-To-Coast). It follows the western edge of Dartmoor beside and through spectacular scenery, passing through tunnels and over bridges. A shared path, ideal for families with pushchairs and dogs, or those in wheelchairs. Marsh Mills and Plymbridge are good start-off points for short excursions. drakes trail.co.uk  3. Totnes – Dartington Riverside Trail (NCN Route 2) 4km/2.5 miles. Easy family trail along path beside the River Dart linking Totnes town centre with the Dartington Cider Press Centre. (F7)  4. Totnes – Ashprington (NCN Route 2) 3.5 km/2 miles. Cycling path along the Dart Estuary overlooking the river and undulating countryside entered along Sharpham Drive to Ashprington. (F7)  5. Exe Cycle Route (NCN Route 2) 7km/4 miles. Easy family trail along the canal linking the centre of Exeter with the head of the Exe estuary. Passes Nature Reserves and Exeter Quay plus new Millers Crossing with link to the rail station, Exeter St David’s. (G3) 

Goldeneye Exmoor North Devon & The Quantocks Off-Road Bike Routes

Explore Exmoor and North Devon on your mountain bike with this laminated, waterproof Exmoor map. With 10 clearly-marked routes this easy-to-use map will help you discover the best of Exmoor and North Devon off road. From sand-dunes, surf beaches and rocky cliffs of the coast, through wooded hills and green-pastured valleys to the heather and tawny-grasses of the high moors; for such a small area Exmoor contains an extraordinary variety of scenery. Add the pubs and cafes of friendly country towns, and the fabled Devon cream teas of village tea-shops, all linked by narrow, high-banked lanes which see little traffic that much of their surface is covered by moss and grass, and a network of forest tracks and ancient green lanes and bridleways, and you have one of the secret jewels of the UK's off-road riding scene. But what you won't get - with one or two very obvious exceptions - are bone-juddering gnarly descents, so if you're looking for the "Oh my God" factor, this isn't the place. Instead, you have a collection of superbly varied and rideable routes - from the almost flat circuit of Braunton and the Burrows to the challenging climbs and long, open descents of some of the inland routes. Outside of Exmoor's National Park, the Quantock Hills deserve a special mention. With views out over the waters of the Bristol Channel, this area of interconnected ridges above steeply wooded combes is covered with trails that could have been designated for off-road biking. But when the sun is shining on the great ridge of the Quantocks from Crowcombe Park Gate towards Beacon Hill, or high up on Dunkery Beacon in the midst of Exmoor - one thing is for sure - this is as close to off-road riding heaven as it gets.

Cicerone 20 Classic Sportive Rides in South West England : Graded routes on cycle-friendly roads in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Avon and Dorset