Drake's Trail Cycling Spur 2 - Yelverton to Lopwell and Buckland Abbey - 15 miles Drake's Trail Cycling Spur 2 - Yelverton to Lopwell and Buckland Abbey - 15 miles This ride starts at the edge of the former RAF Harrowbeer airfield. Built as a response to the severe bombing of Plymouth in 1941, Harrowbeer housed fighter aircraft until the end of the war. After skirting the edge of the airfield, the route descends to Lopwell Local Nature Reserve which make a scenic resting point. The route then climbs past Buckland Abbey, the former home of Sir Francis Drake, which is now run by the National Trust and is open to the public. The route takes around 3 hours to complete, and has some very steep hills. The route is predominantly on minor roads, with a short section of cycle trail. A good level of fitness is required for this route. Alternatively cyclists could push on the steepest hills. 2026-05-03T11:54:07.6176796Z WP1 Start near to the Leg O Mutton pub Yelverton. There are various car parks in this area. From the car parks, join the minor road which heads east towards the A386. Just before the A386 turn right on a minor road that runs parallel to the A386. Dot Waypoints P1040543(1).JPG WP2 Cycle past the former dispersal bays of RAF Harrowbeer. Dot Waypoints WP3 Turn right after passing Roborough Rock. Dot Waypoints WP4 After 150m turn left into Green Lane. Dot Waypoints WP5 Turn left at Blowiscombe Crossroads, signed for Plymouth and Roborough. Dot Waypoints WP6 Turn right into Common Lane, signed towards Lopwell. Dot Waypoints WP7 Turn left at Pound Cross, signed for Roborough. Dot Waypoints WP8 Turn right at the junction, signed towards Trehills and Tamerton Foliot. Dot Waypoints WP9 After 1.75km turn right and proceed past Ashleigh Barton Farm. Dot Waypoints WP10 Follow the road around the bend and continue uphill. Dot Waypoints WP11 A steep, sometimes slippery descent starts here. Dot Waypoints WP12 Dot Waypoints P1010008.JPG WP13 Cycle past Maristow House. Dot Waypoints WP14 To reach Lopwell Dam and Weir turn left here, and cycle 200m around the bend. There is a cafe here, and this makes a great place for a break. This area forms part of a Local Nature Reserve. Dot Waypoints podcast 22.jpg image/jpeg WP15 Retrace your steps from Lopwell Dam, continuing past the junction from which you arrived, around the bend and continuing uphill. Dot Waypoints WP16 After around 400m turn left signed towards Milton Combe. Dot Waypoints WP17 At the foot of a very steep hill, turn right into the village of Milton Combe. Dot Waypoints WP18 Turn right at the end of the road after a very steep hill. After 300m you can turn left for a side trip into Buckland Abbey - the former home of Sir Francis Drake which is now run by the National Trust and is open to the public. Dot Waypoints WP19 Turn left at the Abbey crossroads, torwards Buckland Monachorum. Dot Waypoints WP20 Dot Waypoints podcast 17.JPG WP21 Turn right at the junction signed for Buckland Monachorum. Dot Waypoints WP22 Here you pass The Garden House, home of stunning gardens and a tea room. Dot Waypoints WP23 Continue straight ahead at the bend by the Crapstone village sign. Dot Waypoints WP24 Turn left at the junction. Dot Waypoints WP25 Taking great care, turn right at the hairpin bend onto the off road cycle path. Follow the NCN27 and Drake's Trail signs back to Yelverton. Dot Waypoints WP26 Dot Waypoints P1040546(1).JPG WP27 The path ends just before the Leg O'Mutton car parks. Dot Waypoints