Cycling in Devon – Discover the Best Routes

Devon is, above all else, an absolutely stunning destination. It’s often said that to explore Devon is to love Devon, regardless of whether that’s on foot, in a car or even in the air.

It’s a major reason why so many people choose to take holidays in Devon with Lyme Bay holidays and why we’re so often asked by our guests where the best cycle routes in Devon are.

With many of our guests bringing their bicycles along for the trip, we thought it wise to share some of our favourite routes around Devon for cyclists of all skill levels. So, hop on your bike, strap on your helmet and prepare for revelatory cycling experiences with our must-read guide. Let’s get going, shall we?

Devon Coast to Coast Route

What better way to see the sheer variety of landscape that Devon has to offer than by cycling the 100-mile Devon Coast to Coast route? Combining the award-winning beaches and estuaries of North Devon with West Country rivers and dramatic, green valleys, it’s a truly terrific ride that’s largely traffic free and flat.

Although its distance might be intimidating for the inexperienced, there are dozens of places to stop along the way to rest your legs and ample opportunity to turn back, should the task seem too large.

Indeed, we love the Devon Coast to Coast route so much that we recommend it to anyone making their holiday in Devon – it’s just that good!

Exe Estuary Trail

Opened in 2015, this new and exciting trail offers an almost entirely traffic free and extremely flat route which takes you around the entirety of the Exe Estuary, located near our Devon holiday cottages.

Supporting thousands of birds and untold amounts of wildlife, it’s a must for bird-watchers as well as those with even a passing interest in wildlife – it’s really that wonderful. Because it’s a new trail too, every inch of it is laid surfaced for a smooth, comfortable ride. It’s a little over 16-miles long from toe to tip, too, making it ideal for families that aren’t looking for a full day commitment to cycling.

The Granite Way

For an unforgettable trip through Devon’s countryside, the Granite Way is the way to go.

A short and easy-going ride of just 11 miles, this new route is a mostly traffic free jaunt through Rural Devon with dramatic views out over Dartmoor and the surrounding countryside. Along the way, you’ll find Lydford’s Norman castle, managed by English Heritage, and National Trust’s Lydford Gorge – two sites absolutely worth stopping at.

Tarka Trail

Part of one of the longest continuous traffic-free public walking and cycling routes in the UK, the Tarka Trail runs from Braunton to Meeth and encompasses a huge variety of wildlife and cultural highlights.

You’ll see dense oak woodlands, mud flats, glorious meadows and so much more along the route, which also boasts a wide variety of points ideal for stopping and taking in the sights with a picnic. We think it’s great for families, and we’re sure you will too.