Dartmoor National Park Authority

Cycling

Whether you're a passionate peddler or just a casual cyclist Dartmoor has everything you could wish for - safe, traffic-free trails and quiet forest tracks and historic rural lanes to enjoy at your own pace. You'll find pre-planned routes in the many leaflets and guides available, ranging from the marathon 90-mile circular Dartmoor Way to family rides suitable for all ages.

Where Can you Ride

You are allowed to cycle on public roads, byways open to all traffic, public bridleways, dedicated cycle paths (such as the Granite Way)  and Forestry Commission roads. You are not allowed to ride over access land (open moorland) unless you are following one of the above linear routes.

To help you plan great routes on Dartmoor, the Off-road Cycling Map is invaluable. This map covers the whole of the National Park and grades all routes according to surfacing, gradients and hazards. Routes vary from Easy to Severe and you can therefore plan your route according to your own ability.
This invaluable map is currently being updated however, we can alert you when it's available for sale so please send an email with your contact details to recreation@dartmoor-npa.gov.uk.

Dartmoor Freewheeler suspended for 2009 .

Sadly the Dartmoor Freewheeler Sunday bike bus service will not be running in 2009. It is hoped that the service will run again in 2010.

If you are interested in hiring the bike trailer (max 12 bikes) for your own cycle group or trip up to Dartmoor please contact the Sustainable Tourism Officer on
telephone: 01626 832 093
or
email: tourism@dartmoor-npa.gov.uk

Cycle Routes

There are a number of pre planned cycle routes for your to explore on Dartmoor to suit all abilities:
For more information visit the cycling pages on the Devon County Council website (external link, opens new window)

All Ability Routes

The Plym Valley cycle route

Easy traffic free family cycling from Plymouth to Clearbrook near Yelverton, on south west edge of Dartmoor. The route follows a former railway line over many spectacular viaducts.  7 miles /11km

The Granite Way

Ideal family cycling between Okehampton and Lydford along former railway with spectacular views of Dartmoor and west Devon countryside, superb viaducts along Way. Steam train option in summer between Okehampton and Meldon. Includes short on-road section via Bridestowe, continuing to Lydford along former railway line.  11miles/18km

There are a number of other short routes both on and off road which will help you explore Dartmoor. Look out for routes starting from Dartmoor National Park Information Centres, the West Devon cycle route pack and the Ranger Ralph pack which includes routes for families. All of these leaflets are available from the High Moorland Visitor Centre. 01822 890414

Long Distance Routes

The Dartmoor Way

This is a way marked 90 mile cycle route that follows quiet lanes through the National Park traversing the whole range of Dartmoor's diverse landscapes from wooded valleys to windswept open moorland - and inevitably a few hills. It is not for the faint hearted. For more information visit www.dartmoorway.org.uk (external link, opens new window)

The Devon Coast to Coast

This is part of the Sustrans millennium route No 27 and runs between Ilfracombe on the north Devon coast to Plymouth on the south Devon coast. It traverses the western edge of Dartmoor between Plymouth and Okehampton. The route is way marked.

Cycling  with Moor Care

Ride only where you are legally permitted to do so. Be prepared, with right equipment and clothing including a helmet. Know your equipment and ability and that of others in your group Be considerate of other users. Cyclists should use bells or greetings to let others know they are coming - and take care not to scare horses. Avoid riding fast on wet ground - tyres and hooves can soon turn fragile moorland into mud. please avoid heavy braking and skidding when you off road. If you are cycling on road be seen and be prepared for the unexpected on narrow winding lanes. Watch out for stock on roads across open moorland.

Page updated 24 March 2009