summerdays
Cycling in the sun
- Location
- Bristol
Walks I think was the word you were looking for!!!
devon c2c
- Thread starter davester
- Start date
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trickster61
Regular
Good luck davester!
I'm doing this journey this year, but I'll be doing it both ways. North to South and then back South to North. I aim to cycle 40 miles per day and camp overnight.
Day 1 - Ilfrcombe (Ocean Backpackers) - Dolton (Dolton Caravan Park)
Day 2 - Dolton - Tavistock (Valley View Farm)
Day 3 - Tavistock - Plymouth - back to Tavistock
Day 4 - Tavistock - Dolton
Day 5 - Dolton - Ilfracombe
Well that's the theory!
Knowing my luck, I'll probably have the wind in my face there and back...
@con_gibbens - Your link to the Lightweight Campers magazine looks really interesting. I'll be sure to read it.
I'm doing this journey this year, but I'll be doing it both ways. North to South and then back South to North. I aim to cycle 40 miles per day and camp overnight.
Day 1 - Ilfrcombe (Ocean Backpackers) - Dolton (Dolton Caravan Park)
Day 2 - Dolton - Tavistock (Valley View Farm)
Day 3 - Tavistock - Plymouth - back to Tavistock
Day 4 - Tavistock - Dolton
Day 5 - Dolton - Ilfracombe
Well that's the theory!
Knowing my luck, I'll probably have the wind in my face there and back...@con_gibbens - Your link to the Lightweight Campers magazine looks really interesting. I'll be sure to read it.
Dave Davenport
Guru
- Location
- Hampshire
Which ever direction you choose, you finish with a nice long downhill 
shirokazan
Veteran
I'm sure it's a great route from either direction. I did it last year from south to north as part of a longer tour and found it an enjoyable experience. As others have said, there are a few tough climbs (I walked them, eventually!), particularly on the approach to Dartmoor, but the Tarka Trail part was a joy being a gentle, long-distance downhill run (of course it'll be a gentle, long-distance uphill run if you decide to go north to south). I found finishing on the spectacular north Devon coast a real highlight.
Well I guess the campsites I have in mind aren't right on the Tarka trail but a couple of miles off it in Mortehoe. There aren't any campsites in Ilfracombe itself.
North Morte Farm is a lovely site right on the coast path and very close to Rockham Beach (pebbles not sand but a lovely place ! ) . Quite family orientated and no horrible bar etc. It is quite exposed so it might be better to avoid if it's looking windy, stunning scenery though . Not sure whether you want to go this far off the path but I'm thinking that Hole Station is probably a similar distance from route 27 anyway.
Another option would be Warcombe Farm which is a nice simple and well looked after place and a bit closer to the Tarka Trail.
You should be aware though that if you want to go down and enjoy the beaches in Woolacombe its a steep hill into the village from either end so everyone in your party will need to be fit for walking or cycling back up .
I can't remember when you plan to do your trip but it can get horribly busy here during the school summer holidays so if it's peace your after you might want to stick to Hole Station .
North Morte Farm is a lovely site right on the coast path and very close to Rockham Beach (pebbles not sand but a lovely place ! ) . Quite family orientated and no horrible bar etc. It is quite exposed so it might be better to avoid if it's looking windy, stunning scenery though . Not sure whether you want to go this far off the path but I'm thinking that Hole Station is probably a similar distance from route 27 anyway.
Another option would be Warcombe Farm which is a nice simple and well looked after place and a bit closer to the Tarka Trail.
You should be aware though that if you want to go down and enjoy the beaches in Woolacombe its a steep hill into the village from either end so everyone in your party will need to be fit for walking or cycling back up .
I can't remember when you plan to do your trip but it can get horribly busy here during the school summer holidays so if it's peace your after you might want to stick to Hole Station .
Davester, as others have said, don't be guided by convention. My belief is that the climbs from North to South aren't quite as steep, but there isn't a great deal of difference. Having just said that, if you do decide to ride South-North, and decide to go past Woolacombe beach (which is simply gorgeous!) you'll be faced with a painful climb that many rather walk. And yes, painful is an accurate way of describing it!
I normally cycle it North-South, but for a different reason: I live in Plymouth, so getting home is no problem. :-)
You mentioned that you'll be riding with some novice cyclists. Can I suggest that you cycle it over a minimum of three days? They'll thank you for it! Also, from Meeth to Hatherleigh you'll be riding on the A386. This is a narrow and busy rural road carrying lots of HGVs, and isn't pleasant at all! I suggest you take the longer, and slightly more hilly diversion that will take you - on a South-North ride - from Hatherleigh, through Sheepwash and on to Petrockstowe, and so avoid the A386. Shortly after Petrockstowe you will join the Tarka Trail for pleasant and smooth traffic-free cycling.
Should you opt to ride along the A386, be warned: on the stretch leading to Meeth there are several uphill, but one in particular is just nasty! To be exact, it is a 13% uphill. Yes, there are worse hills, but this is not the place to be wobbling along at 3 mph as you strain to make it to the top!
If you do it over three days, I suggest overnighting in Lydford, then Yarde Orchard (a lovely camp site with a bunk house, yurts and more, smack bang on NCN27).
When leaving Plymouth, you'll follow the Plym Valley Trail to Yelverton. From Yelverton, do follow the NCN 27 route to Tavistock as you'd then get to cycle over the new Gem Bridge - a rather snazzy brand new cyclist & pedestrian viaduct over the Walkham Valley - instead of the route that leads towards Mary Tavy.
Getting out of Plymouth is quite easy: simply follow the directions on my blog: http://willcycle.blogspot.com/p/plym-valley-drakes-trail.html. I will agree that the short stint of cycling through an industrial area isn't particularly pleasant, though fortunately it isn't very long, either.
I normally cycle it North-South, but for a different reason: I live in Plymouth, so getting home is no problem. :-)
You mentioned that you'll be riding with some novice cyclists. Can I suggest that you cycle it over a minimum of three days? They'll thank you for it! Also, from Meeth to Hatherleigh you'll be riding on the A386. This is a narrow and busy rural road carrying lots of HGVs, and isn't pleasant at all! I suggest you take the longer, and slightly more hilly diversion that will take you - on a South-North ride - from Hatherleigh, through Sheepwash and on to Petrockstowe, and so avoid the A386. Shortly after Petrockstowe you will join the Tarka Trail for pleasant and smooth traffic-free cycling.
Should you opt to ride along the A386, be warned: on the stretch leading to Meeth there are several uphill, but one in particular is just nasty! To be exact, it is a 13% uphill. Yes, there are worse hills, but this is not the place to be wobbling along at 3 mph as you strain to make it to the top!
If you do it over three days, I suggest overnighting in Lydford, then Yarde Orchard (a lovely camp site with a bunk house, yurts and more, smack bang on NCN27).
When leaving Plymouth, you'll follow the Plym Valley Trail to Yelverton. From Yelverton, do follow the NCN 27 route to Tavistock as you'd then get to cycle over the new Gem Bridge - a rather snazzy brand new cyclist & pedestrian viaduct over the Walkham Valley - instead of the route that leads towards Mary Tavy.
Getting out of Plymouth is quite easy: simply follow the directions on my blog: http://willcycle.blogspot.com/p/plym-valley-drakes-trail.html. I will agree that the short stint of cycling through an industrial area isn't particularly pleasant, though fortunately it isn't very long, either.
Carol Whyte
New Member
hi, I am planning to do the Devon C2C over three days in June, with friends over from NZ. Can anyone who has done recommend what a sensible staging of the route would be - we will be doing from north to south. Any other accommodation recommendations would also be great - despite being kiwis we are softies and looking to go the b and b route. thanks
Hi, I cycled from Ilfracombe to Plymouth last October and my first stop was at The Half Moon Inn Sheepwash. It was a fantastic Inn on Dartmoor. Had a lovely meal and a fantastic breakfast. Was hoping to get to Plymouth on the second day but not quite so stayed at the Bedford Hotel in Tavistock. Bit of luxury but I thought I deserved it!! Had no set plans and was on my own, so everything was luck!!!
Hi Carol,
Cycled over three days you'd have plenty of time for frequent stops. If I were you, I'd certainly have my first overnight stop at the sublime Yarde Orchard, which is a few miles outside of Great Torrington. If you schedule it well, you may even have live music, or perhaps a film night to attend!
I'd suggest Lydford for the second night's stop, leaving you the third day to make it down to Plymouth.
Best of luck and let us know how you got on!
Cycled over three days you'd have plenty of time for frequent stops. If I were you, I'd certainly have my first overnight stop at the sublime Yarde Orchard, which is a few miles outside of Great Torrington. If you schedule it well, you may even have live music, or perhaps a film night to attend!
I'd suggest Lydford for the second night's stop, leaving you the third day to make it down to Plymouth.
Best of luck and let us know how you got on!
