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 .
The Bike Bus service for Dartmoor
Dartmoor Freewheeler is a Sunday bike bus service offered by Dartmoor National Park Authority. In 2008 it run from Sunday 20 April running every Sunday until 28 September.
The service enables cyclists to travel by minibus, with their bike on an attached trailer (max 12 bikes), up onto Dartmoor. You can then enjoy a mainly downhill ride home!
All for just £5 - a great value day out.
The Dartmoor Freewheeler pack (Dartmoor Freewheeler Leaflet 
(PDF Help 417kb)) includes a booklet about the 2008 service and all the 2008 timetables, plus the four route leaflets (with instructions and full Ordnance Survey mapping).
Please watch this page for details of the service in 2009 or if you would like to be alerted when more details are available please email your contact details to 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.
Page updated 4 November 2008
