Cycling Hotspots in South Devon

Guest Blog Post - Jane Sandwood (Freelance Contribution)

Exploring the gorgeous coastline of South Devon by bike is a glorious way to discover the sites and get active. 2017 was a record year for tourism in the southern part of the county with Teignmouth, Salcombe, Dawlish, and Exmouth being visitor hotspots. There are some brilliant cycling trails and routes in this part of the world which the whole family can enjoy and take advantage of. What’s more, discovering the county on wheels is an excellent way of staying active on your holiday. As you’ll want to utilise your time in South Devon, here’s the best cycling tours and places to visit by bicycle so you can plan your trip to the coast.

Why explore South Devon by bike

Discovering South Devon by bike is fun, provides an adventure and gives you easy access to the county’s beautiful sites. There’s so much to see and do in South Devon and, with roads being busier than ever and the potential of traffic jams cutting short your day, you can be sure to make the most of each and every day of your holiday by travelling by bicycle. Avid cyclists may wish to bring their own bike with them as they know it’s the best bicycle to travel around on, but, for less experienced individuals, there are plenty of locations which hire out bicycles at reasonable prices.

For the whole family

South Devon is a beautiful part of the country for the entire family to enjoy together. For energetic families looking to explore the countryside and the coast, there are a number of bike trails ranging from just a couple of miles in length to more than 20 miles to get stuck into. The Granite Way cycle route is an 11-mile stretch which is suitable for children due to it being easy to moderate in difficulty and being largely off-road. During the cycle, riders get the opportunity to explore the Devon Coast to Coast Route 27 and take in the breathtaking sites of Devon and Dartmoor.

Located in Tavistock, Tamar Trails offers some of the best cycling days out with children, no matter what their age. If your vehicle is bursting at the seams before you’ve even packed your bicycles, there’s no need to worry as the Tamar Trails Centre hires out bicycles. They even offer bikes with tagalongs suitable for younger children to ride in, so they don’t need to miss out on the fun. The trail, which is located in an Outstanding Natural Beauty and a World Heritage Site features four different routes and can be enjoyed at your own pace. The kids are sure to love exploring the historic mining heritage, too.

For the more adventurous

If it’s a lengthy bike ride you’re after, then there are a number of incredible high mileage cycle tours to get your teeth stuck into. A 102 mile trip from Ilfracombe in North Devon to Plymouth can be enjoyed over the course of several days. When you reach South Devon, you follow a stunning riverside trail where you can witness some beautiful nature, before ending up at Plymouth’s seafront which is surrounded by golden sand and a natural harbour.

Dartmoor can be explored by bike, too, as part of the 95 mile Dartmoor Way Cycle which also includes The Granite Way route. The majority of the tour is either through quiet country lanes or is off road, making it a peaceful bike ride. However, don’t let that make you come complacent as the entire journey can be hard going and challenging, but, thankfully, it can be enjoyed in bite-size chunks and there are plenty of opportunities to take a pit stop for a bite to eat.

South Devon is a divine area of the country to discover by bike, so be sure to pack your helmets and your safety pads and head down to the spectacular coast for the holiday of a lifetime.