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Drake's Trail Cycling Spur 2 - Yelverton to Lopwell and Buckland Abbey - 15 miles
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CycleDescription
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.
Cycle Waypoints
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1
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.
- 2 Cycle past the former dispersal bays of RAF Harrowbeer.
- 3 Turn right after passing Roborough Rock.
- 4 After 150m turn left into Green Lane.
- 5 Turn left at Blowiscombe Crossroads, signed for Plymouth and Roborough.
- 6 Turn right into Common Lane, signed towards Lopwell.
- 7 Turn left at Pound Cross, signed for Roborough.
- 8 Turn right at the junction, signed towards Trehills and Tamerton Foliot.
- 9 After 1.75km turn right and proceed past Ashleigh Barton Farm.
- 10 Follow the road around the bend and continue uphill.
- 11 A steep, sometimes slippery descent starts here.
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12
- 13 Cycle past Maristow House.
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14
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.
- 15 Retrace your steps from Lopwell Dam, continuing past the junction from which you arrived, around the bend and continuing uphill.
- 16 After around 400m turn left signed towards Milton Combe.
- 17 At the foot of a very steep hill, turn right into the village of Milton Combe.
- 18 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.
- 19 Turn left at the Abbey crossroads, torwards Buckland Monachorum.
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- 21 Turn right at the junction signed for Buckland Monachorum.
- 22 Here you pass The Garden House, home of stunning gardens and a tea room.
- 23 Continue straight ahead at the bend by the Crapstone village sign.
- 24 Turn left at the junction.
- 25 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.
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26
- 27 The path ends just before the Leg O'Mutton car parks.
