The best MTB trails in Devon

Devon offers a vast network of mountain bike trails, with nearly 620 routes available on komoot. These trails cater to a wide range of abilities, from easy family-friendly paths to challenging technical descents.

Yes, Devon has many easy trails perfect for beginners and families. Haldon Forest Park is particularly well-suited, offering the green-rated Discovery Family trail and blue-rated routes like Haldon Forest loop of the blue Spicers & Kiddens trails. These trails are well-maintained and provide a fun experience for all skill levels.

For more advanced riders, Dartmoor National Park offers rugged terrain and technical challenges. Routes like Hound Tor, Hunter's Tor and the River Bovey provide significant climbs and descents. Haldon Forest Park also features red-rated Ridge Ride trails and the black-rated Ridge Ride Extreme for technical loops with steep rock gardens and rooty sections.

Yes, you can find trails with waterfalls in the vicinity. For instance, the area around Lydford Gorge offers stunning waterfalls like Lydford Gorge itself. There's also a Waterfall near Burrator Reservoir, which you might encounter on routes in Dartmoor National Park, such as the Granite & Gears: Princetown and Burrator Loop.

Many mountain bike routes in Devon are circular, allowing you to start and end in the same location. Examples include the Red Lake & Avon Dam loop from Ivybridge in Dartmoor, or the Haldon Forest loop of the ridge. These loops are convenient for planning your ride.

Devon's trails often pass by impressive natural landmarks. In Dartmoor, you can encounter granite tors like Haytor Rocks, Hound Tor, and Bellever Tor. The Postbridge loop, for example, takes you past several of these iconic features.

Haldon Forest Park is a prime example of a location with excellent facilities. It offers bike hire, a cafe, and showers, making it a comprehensive hub for mountain bikers. Other areas might have cafes in nearby villages or towns, but dedicated facilities are most concentrated in parks like Haldon.

The mountain bike trails in Devon are highly regarded by the komoot community, with an average rating of 4.4 stars from over 1,100 reviews. Nearly 10,000 mountain bikers have used komoot to explore the region, often praising the diverse landscapes, well-maintained trails, and the variety of options for different skill levels.

Devon offers great mountain biking opportunities year-round. Spring and autumn provide pleasant temperatures and vibrant scenery, while summer is ideal for longer days. Even in winter, parks like Haldon Forest offer all-weather trails. However, Dartmoor's exposed moorland can be more challenging in adverse weather, so checking conditions is always advisable.

Many trails in Devon, particularly those on public bridleways and in areas like Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks, are dog-friendly. However, it's always best to keep dogs under close control, especially around livestock, and to check specific park or trail regulations beforehand. Haldon Forest Park also welcomes dogs.

While many trails are inland, Exmoor National Park, partly in North Devon, features dramatic coastal landscapes. The South West Coast Path also runs through Devon, offering stunning views, though specific mountain bike access on all sections may vary. The Peak Hill and Mutter's Moor loop in East Devon provides glimpses of the coastline.

Devon's diverse geology means you can experience varied landscapes. Dartmoor National Park offers rugged granite tors and open moorland, while Exmoor provides a mix of moorland, woodland, and coastal trails. Haldon Forest Park focuses on managed woodlands with dedicated trails. For a mix of valleys and heathlands, explore areas like the Tamar Trails or Plymbridge Woods.