Cycling on Dartmoor

For Road Cyclists looking to challenge themselves there are limitless routes and rides in every direction, all of which contain a healthy dose of climbing, up to 25%! In fact four of Simon Warren’s Top 100 Climbs are on Dartmoor including Rundlestone which brings you back up to Princetown  – the highest village on Dartmoor – where Duchy House is situated, so every ride starts with a downhill warm up and finishes with a leg busting climb! As experienced cyclists, we know our way around Dartmoor and have a whole range of  routes available as GPX files or we can help you plan your own, including the best places to stop for coffee and cake! So whether you’re  training for your next sportive or just want a change from your usual routes, there is no shortage of fantastic riding to be had. 

If you’re looking for new MTB & Gravel adventures, there are multiple trails across Dartmoor with two of the best known starting and finishing in Princetown: 

Princetown Railway is an intermediate route of 6 – 19 miles heading South West following the old Princetown Railway, taking in the spectacular scenery whilst descending off the moor towards Burrator reservoir. From here there are several recognised routes where your ride can be extended back to Princetown. The terrain is a mix of compacted stone / gravel with a few loose sections. 

Princetown & Burrator Trail is a more challenging trail of approximately 15 miles with some pretty demanding downhill sections,crossing open moorland on permitted bridleways before looping around the edge of the reservoir. As you start heading back towards Princetown you pass Ditsworthy Warren House (where War Horse was filmed), and the track starts to level out for a fast return on nice gravel.

There are also plenty of great forest trails and over 350km of bridleways and byways criss-crossing the moor, the only place that’s off limits is the open moor. If you’re after a more leisurely or family friendly ride, there is an extensive network of quiet lanes and designated cycle routes. In addition to the following designated recreational cycle routes, we can also help you plan a ride depending on length or terrain.

The Granite Way is an 11 mile cycle trail running between Okehampton and Lydford along the north western edge of Dartmoor. A former railway line, it is virtually flat and traffic free, perfect for families. The route offers fantastic views of Dartmoor and takes in the amazing Meldon viaduct, passing several pubs and cafes along the way.

Drakes Trail is a spectacular 21 mile cycle route taking its name from the famous Elizabethan Seafarer Sir Frncis Drake. Starting in the maritime city of Plymouth the trail follows the old railway line through beautiful wooded valleys alongside the river, crossing spectacular viaducts and through tunnels, before ending in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Tavistock. There are multiple access points and refreshment opportunities along the route.

Dartmoor Way is a 95-mile-long circular route which winds its way around the edge of the National Park, following quiet Devon lanes, minor roads, and traffic-free cycle tracks. The route passes through Princetown on the 27-mile High Moorland Link section, making Duchy House the perfect place to stay.

NCN Route 27 – Devon coast to coast is a 99-mile route that links the beaches of North Devon with the estuaries of the South coast and skirts around the edge of Dartmoor – avoiding the rolling terrain! The majority of sections are traffic-free – either on cycle paths or quiet lanes –  and flat, making them ideal for cyclists of all abilities. You can tackle the whole route in one go or break it down into smaller sections.