The best cycling routes in Devon

Cycling along beautiful coastlines

With almost 500 miles of coastline, bike rides in Devon can come with a healthy dose of sea air if that’s what you want. The exceptional shores, from the sandy bays and jagged cliffs of North Devon to the green glory of the south, do come with a catch though; they’re very hilly. 

With every up, a down must follow and this is one of the reasons why cycling along Devon’s shores is so phenomenal. Climb steadily on quiet country roads with fields on either side and pause at the top, for outstanding sea views across coves and bays. 

Cycle routes on Devon’s coast aren’t always steep, the Exe Estuary provides beautiful river trails which are flat and bordered by RSPB nature reserves. With a little ferry linking one side of the estuary to the other, you can easily enjoya circular ride.

Taking to the hills and fields

The fourth largest county in England, Devon has a vast interior which is almost entirely rural. Here you’ll find Dartmoor National Park and vast swathes of pastoral countryside, both with plentiful county lanes and winding cycle paths. 

Much of Devon is hilly, with verdant high ground and beautiful valleys. Rugged Dartmoor is a particularly excellent place for strenuous hill rides with breathtaking views and endless picnic spots. North of Dartmoor, you can cycle for hours or days along cycle routes and lower, undulating lanes past little villages and chuckling streams. 

The country has more lanes, trails and bridle paths than you could ever cover in a lifetime, allowing you to ride wherever you want to, always discovering new views and adventures. 

Tips for cycling in Devon

Cycling in Devon is often peaceful thanks to its huge network of lanes and trails so you won’t often be competing with much traffic if you avoid major roads. That said, it’s good to be alert on narrow lanes, where speed limits can be high despite blind corners. 

Steep hills often appear from nowhere and will work up a sweat no matter what time of year. They’re always matched by similarly steep downs though, which can quickly cool the skin. Being prepared to deal with temperature changes is always a good idea in Devon, whether you’re on a crisp winter ride or pedaling through the summer sunshine. 

Don’t forget, when you do inevitably stop for a cream tea, the cream goes on before the jam.