Dartmoor routes
- Thread starter Crackle
- Start date
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Heltor Chasca
Out-riding the Black Dog
Have a look at the AUK website for a backdated 'Dartmoor Spring' 100km ride. Lovely circular route from Minehead, round Dartmoor along the ridge NCN3 and back. Lovely stops at pubs etc. One of the best. There is a shortcut option across a bridleway if you fancy. GPX in there somewhere I think.
*If you fail in your quest PM me.
*If you fail in your quest PM me.
Ian H
Ancient randonneur
There's quite a lot of official info about off-road routes.
http://www.visitdartmoor.co.uk/things-to-do/cycling
http://www.visitdartmoor.co.uk/things-to-do/cycling
Dave 123
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire alps
A week around Dartmouth and then a week somewhere i forget but it's within a few miles of Dartmoor, South Eastish. So I was going to use the road bike the first week and then use the mtb the 2nd
Dave 123
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire alps
http://yogicycling.com/local-info/routes/
I've ridden with YOGI a few times in the past when down at the in laws. Nice people.
There are routes from Dartmouth on the links above. There may be mtb, but I'm too lazy to look!
Watch out for the caravans, narrow lanes and crazy driving locals (my Father in law)
I've ridden with YOGI a few times in the past when down at the in laws. Nice people.
There are routes from Dartmouth on the links above. There may be mtb, but I'm too lazy to look!
Watch out for the caravans, narrow lanes and crazy driving locals (my Father in law)
ChrisEyles
Guru
- Location
- Devon
Where abouts in Dartmoor are you going to be?
My favourite off-road loop is this one: http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/188876/Burratorcycleleaflet2011.pdf
The descent down to Burrator is a cracker and there's beautiful scenery all round. It's a bit short though if you're after more of an all-day ride.
Another very good longer one is to start at Ivybridge and head up the two moors way, loop around Avon reservoir and head back south through Didworthy, pick up the trails heading SW to rejoin the two moors way (which might test your map reading skills a bit, or at least it did mine). I've only done that one once, it was pretty tiring with some very tough long climbs, but the two moors way section is gorgeous (not very techy, although there's plenty of that on the smaller trails, but epic scenery).
Finally this one is probably my second favourite, on the East side of the moor, and also plenty long enough: http://www.mbr.co.uk/routes/western-england/dartmoor/dartmoor-devon-killer-loop-256732
Lustleigh cleave has some proper techy stuff with big boulder drop offs (though be prepared for pedal strikes galor!). There are a few short(ish) sharp climbs I've never successfully cleared, including one up to Hunters tor, and another up through Yarner woods to Trendlebere down. The loop around Birch tor is also ace, though I've only managed it once as I'm usually too knackered to add it on!
Do let me know if you want any more info and I'll help if I can. If you want to do the shorter ride around Burrator I may be able to join you if you wanted.
My favourite off-road loop is this one: http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/188876/Burratorcycleleaflet2011.pdf
The descent down to Burrator is a cracker and there's beautiful scenery all round. It's a bit short though if you're after more of an all-day ride.
Another very good longer one is to start at Ivybridge and head up the two moors way, loop around Avon reservoir and head back south through Didworthy, pick up the trails heading SW to rejoin the two moors way (which might test your map reading skills a bit, or at least it did mine). I've only done that one once, it was pretty tiring with some very tough long climbs, but the two moors way section is gorgeous (not very techy, although there's plenty of that on the smaller trails, but epic scenery).
Finally this one is probably my second favourite, on the East side of the moor, and also plenty long enough: http://www.mbr.co.uk/routes/western-england/dartmoor/dartmoor-devon-killer-loop-256732
Lustleigh cleave has some proper techy stuff with big boulder drop offs (though be prepared for pedal strikes galor!). There are a few short(ish) sharp climbs I've never successfully cleared, including one up to Hunters tor, and another up through Yarner woods to Trendlebere down. The loop around Birch tor is also ace, though I've only managed it once as I'm usually too knackered to add it on!
Do let me know if you want any more info and I'll help if I can. If you want to do the shorter ride around Burrator I may be able to join you if you wanted.
Thanks folks, lots of ideas there, need to match them up to a map and where I'm staying.
Thanks @ChrisEyles I was hoping you'd reply to the Dartmoor bit. Not too bothered about it being technical, I mainly want to get up and around the moors. I'll check where I'm staying for that week and see what matches, although I do have the car to get elsewhere.
Thanks @ChrisEyles I was hoping you'd reply to the Dartmoor bit. Not too bothered about it being technical, I mainly want to get up and around the moors. I'll check where I'm staying for that week and see what matches, although I do have the car to get elsewhere.
ChrisEyles
Guru
- Location
- Devon
It's a bit further from where you're staying, but there are also some great fire roads used by the military heading south onto the moor from Okehampton. It's a stiff climb from the town to the top (or you can drive if you're feeling lazy), but the scenery is very much worth it. Not overly techy again, although there are some nice fast descents heading back into Belstone.
If you wanted to make a longer day of it you could go South as far as the tracks go to Sittaford tor, then a short hop East to Fernworthy forest - though I've not ridden this bit myself so not sure of the bridleway/footpath status of the trails there.
Fernworthy and Yarner woods are superb for nature, as is Burrator reservoir. If it were me visiting the area, I'd bring a pair of binoculars both for the landscape and for bird spotting, though I appreciate it's not everyone's cup of tea!
If you wanted to make a longer day of it you could go South as far as the tracks go to Sittaford tor, then a short hop East to Fernworthy forest - though I've not ridden this bit myself so not sure of the bridleway/footpath status of the trails there.
Fernworthy and Yarner woods are superb for nature, as is Burrator reservoir. If it were me visiting the area, I'd bring a pair of binoculars both for the landscape and for bird spotting, though I appreciate it's not everyone's cup of tea!
Dave 123
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire alps
@ChrisEyles
It's a long time since I lived in Ivybridge. I once did a ride starting from Bittaford to Yelverton following the puffing billy track, but I Can't quite remember the route.
Any ideas?
Pied flycatcher in Yarner wood and mega wood ants!
It's a long time since I lived in Ivybridge. I once did a ride starting from Bittaford to Yelverton following the puffing billy track, but I Can't quite remember the route.
Any ideas?
Pied flycatcher in Yarner wood and mega wood ants!
ChrisEyles
Guru
- Location
- Devon
@Dave 123 not sure what route you will have followed there... perhaps West from Bittaford out to Plympton and picked up route 27 in Plymbridge woods, then headed North - this runs all the way to Yelverton, and definitely has a long section that used to be a railway line - the old platforms are still in place on one section!
There is also some really excellent mountain biking in Cann woods in/near Plympton, just off route 27 that I used to ride a *lot* when I worked within riding distance.
Yarner woods is the best place I know of to see pied flycatcher, I go there every year to see them
There is also some really excellent mountain biking in Cann woods in/near Plympton, just off route 27 that I used to ride a *lot* when I worked within riding distance.
Yarner woods is the best place I know of to see pied flycatcher, I go there every year to see them
Dave 123
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire alps
@ChrisEyles
It wouldn't have been through Plymbridge Woods, but I'm buggered if I remember!
Does the husky racing man still run his dog sled through Cann Wood?
It wouldn't have been through Plymbridge Woods, but I'm buggered if I remember!
Does the husky racing man still run his dog sled through Cann Wood?
ChrisEyles
Guru
- Location
- Devon
Never saw any huskies pulling a sled through Cann! Sounds entertaining though!
ChrisEyles
Guru
- Location
- Devon
@Crackle one thing I would suggest is to get hold of an OS map for the area. It can be tricky to navigate sometimes without one, and mobile phone signal is very poor in a lot of places so relying on phone-based GPS is not always a good idea. Plus there's something much nicer about navigating with a paper map in any case
I've arrived with a dard blasted cold and every way out of Dartmouth is up a bleedin' big hill! I've found a little loop for the mtn bike this week and I may just stick to that whilst I recover.
What else is there to do in Devon folks. Found some beaches and a few traffic free doddle routes for us to do in a touristy fashion but I'm making my plan of attack for the rest of the hols ( I know but I don't like doing things in advance, where's the challenge of the deadline).
What else is there to do in Devon folks. Found some beaches and a few traffic free doddle routes for us to do in a touristy fashion but I'm making my plan of attack for the rest of the hols ( I know but I don't like doing things in advance, where's the challenge of the deadline).
