East Devon Pebblebed Heaths – Blackhill Quarry Trail loop from Warren

Running trails & routes

East Devon Pebblebed Heaths – Blackhill Quarry Trail loop from Warren

Moderate

runners

East Devon Pebblebed Heaths – Blackhill Quarry Trail loop from Warren

01:22

11.3km

140m

Running

Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: August 13, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

East Devon National Landscape

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

806 m

East Devon Pebblebed Heaths

Highlight • Natural Monument

The pebblebed heath land is part of the East Devon AONB and a SSSI. The heathland and underlying Triassic pebblebed geology is an important habitat for the plants and animals that live here.

Tip by

1.41 km

Woodbury Castle — Iron Age hillfort

Highlight • Forest

An Iron Age hillfort now cloaked in beech trees, Woodbury Castle sits high on beautiful heathland. It has exceptional earthworks and you can roam amongst its ramparts and down into its heart. You’ll find interpretation boards dotted around the castle, explaining the importance of the fort and plenty of archaeological details.

Much stewardship work has gone on in recent years, with earthwork stabilisation and strategic tree management. The castle is free to access and is a fantastic place to see in every season. It also lies within the Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Area and is home to a variety of bird, animal and plant life.

Tip by

3.44 km

Blackhill Quarry Lake

Highlight • Lake

Blackhill Quarry (or Black Hill Quarry), is now defunct and is slowly being restored to heathland habitat. This restoration includes open water habitats and the diversity of terrain encourages a similar diversity of wildlife and birds to the area. Semi-feral ponies also graze parts of the area and stay out year round, so you’ve got a great chance to see these native ponies. Lizards, dragonflies and butterflies are all now making a strong comeback.

Tip by

3.45 km

Blackhill Quarry Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Ride through the centre of the old quarry here, with the lakes to either side and views to the coast. Look out on the water for birds, including Canada geese and tufted ducks.

Take it easy as there are gates at each end and it's a popular route for walkers.

Tip by

5.77 km

Pines Ridge Jumps

Highlight • MTB Park

More advanced jumps than Yettington, all set in a natural bowl. It can be wet as the soil takes longer to drain. Nice flight of gap jumps and some tables and drop offs. Some overhead cover. Unfortunately the landowner has closed off the small parking spot so park in the Four Firs car park and ride on over - you can either go cross country or on the road. No signage to the jumps so following the tracks from the road is easiest.

Tip by

6.81 km

Gravel Path Through East Devon National Landscape

Highlight (Segment) • Forest

9.23 km

Woodbury Common Trails from Woodbury Castle

Highlight • Natural

It's almost as if Woodbury Common was made for gravel riders and mountain bikers. Besides being the training ground for the nearby Royal Marines, the Common features a network of expansive fire roads, twisting singletracks, wooded trails and even some man-made jumps. Truly something for everyone here.

Woodbury Castle, or rather the moat that remains, is a great place to start if you've made your way here by car or bike. You could spend hours or even days exploring the commonland here, in fact I've spent years here and still get a bit lost and find new parts every now and then!

Tip by

10.1 km