This spectacular journey takes you from the beaches and estuaries in north Devon to the stunning south coast of Devon at Plymouth and onto the Cornish coast too. Ride beside the sea, through lush green valleys, dip into Dartmoor National Park and enjoy gorgeous scenery and grand views. Pedal along former railway lines, through tunnels and across breathtaking viaducts and bridges. Enroute you will discover magical villages and cream teas you can't resist. Essentially rural but peppered with characterful towns, we have designed the tour with a leisurely tempo, balancing mileages and slopes to ensure as gentle a cycle each day as possible - that's the way we like to do things. And of course, every night you'll relax in our hand picked inns and hotels with a castle stay and gorgeous boutique hotels with spas and award winning restuarants included in our luxury tour.
Much of this route is traffic free as it slices through Devon from the north to the south. It includes the bike paths of the Tarka Trail, the Granite Way and the Plym Valley.
Holiday details
Price
- Classic
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from £1,925 per person
- Luxury
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from £3,290 per person
Based on two people sharing a room
Duration
7 nights
Start & Finish
The holiday starts Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday with Barnstaple as the base. By train, Barnstaple is 4 hours from London Paddington
Hotels
- Classic
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Two small hotels and three traditional inns
- Luxury
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A castle, one 5*star hotel, two 4* star hotels and two 3* star hotels
Holiday type
Self-guided so you are free to explore at your own pace. More info...
Activity level
Gentle cycling (5) More info...
Electric bikes
Available. Included for the luxury tour
Mileage
4 days of cycling and 2 days of optional cycling 15 -26 miles (24 - 42 km) per day on the classic tour. 5 days of cycling and one day of optional cycling 18-30 miles (29-48km) per day on the luxury trip.
Terrain
A few slopes most days and one or two steep hills some days.
What’s included?
Ensuite accommodation every night with breakfast. The services of our friendly local Hosts. Luggage transfers between hotels. Touring bikes and accessories. 24/7 phone contact number. Adventure Handbook with our local tips. GPS Routes on an App with waterproof phone holder. Guidebook or OS maps. Protection of your funds. Advice, help and guidance planning your trip.
Return transfer to Barnstaple at the end of your trip. E bikes and arrival and departure day transfers on the luxury tour. Read About Our Trips for further details
Traffic-free
70%
Options
- Take the ferry from Plymouth to Roscoff and continue cycling the Velodyssey route in France
- Add an additional night at Bovey Castle
- Add an additional night in Tavistock to cycle on Dartmoor
Itinerary day-by-day
Classic
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1. Day one
Arrive Barnstaple
Arrive in Barnstaple and make your way to your hand-picked accommodation which is located adjacent to the heart of this attractive town. Situated at the head of the Taw estuary, the town has a long and interesting history with plenty to explore. At a time to suit you make your way to our base close by in Barnstaple, which is open from 9.15 to 17.00 every day, to pick up your cycling equipment. Your host will meet you there, organise your bicycle and run through your itinerary.
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2. Day two
Barnstaple to Saunton Sands and Back
There's a wonderful opportunity to absorb the holiday mood today on this idyllic ride around the Taw estuary. Traffic free, flat and with the wind in your hair, you can ride by the sand dunes and spot the wildlife. Freewheel on to the beautiful sandy bay at Saunton, test the sea's temperature and laze away the hours. A cream tea could justifiably be slipped in before you return along the waters edge for a second night at your hotel.
Optional 19 miles (30 km) or less
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3. Day three
Barnstaple to a North Devon Hamlet
Most of today's ride follows the Tarka Trail and the course of an old railway line as it hugs the estuary to Bideford and then follows the River Torridge through scenic woodlands, over bridges and through cuttings and tunnels. Virtually traffic free, with just a couple of slopes towards the end of the day, the route includes marshlands, old quays, a beach great for a dip and welcoming cafes in old railway stations. It's worth a detour across the 14th Century bridge to explore Bideford whilst the characterful market town of Great Torrington also boasts the Dartington glass factory. It's a day packed with variety that ends with a warm welcome at your overnight inn nestled in a picturesque hamlet.
27 miles (44 km)
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4. Day four
A North Devon Hamlet to a Dartmoor Village
Pedalling south towards Dartmoor, you are rewarded with amazing views and unexpected finds. We won't spill the beans but simply tempt you by mentioning market day, a pottery and farmhouse refreshments. Another old railway route leads you into Dartmoor National Park with 11 miles of traffic free cycling along The Granite Way. On this spectacular ride which includes the long Meldon Viaduct, the moor with its craggy tors and the surrounding countryside are yours to savour. Your overnight stop enjoys a sheltered village position at the foot of the moor.
22 miles (35 km)
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5. Day five
A Dartmoor Village to Tavistock
This is rural Devon at its best as you skirt around the edge of Dartmoor, through pretty villages with thatched dwellings and verdant valleys with gurgling streams. Explore a hidden gorge or a ruined castle and stop awhile in cosy pubs. Tavistock, where you will stay the night, is a historic and unspoilt town where you may enjoy ambling among the specialist shops and the market stalls.
15 miles (24 km)
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6. Day six
Tavistock to Plymouth
Leave Tavistock behind with a short uphill across the downs and you are back on Dartmoor. Panoramic vistas, picturesque bridges and attractive moorland villages are the picture for the next few miles as you pedal across this outstanding scene. You're on top of the world and its all downhill from now! The route leads to a pretty wooded valley and beyond to yet another old railway track where you can freewheel through tunnels and viaducts down into Plymouth. This traffic free roll takes you right to the coast and around the famous Hoe in Plymouth where so many ships have passed in and out of this maritime city. Marvel at the view, pat yourself on the back and enjoy the warm welcome of your nearby hotel where you stay 2 nights
22 miles (35 km)
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7. Day seven
Plymouth to Cawsand and back
Today you take a foray into Cornwall by taking the morning boat trip from Plymouth with your bikes aboard to land on the little beach at Cawsand on the south coast of Cornwall. Enjoy this picturesque hamlet before riding on to Kingsand bay and through Mount Edgecumbe Park to take the small ferry back to Plymouth for your second night there. If you fancy walking today, we suggest a lovely route taking the ferry both ways into Cornwall and enjoying the hamlets of Kingsand and Cawsand
Optional 7 miles (11 km)
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8. Day eight
Depart Plymouth
Bid farewell to your stead and depart at your leisure. The tour includes a transfer back to Barnstaple. If you are returning to London, Plymouth is 3.5 hours by train to London.
Luxury
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1. Day one
Arrive Barnstaple
Arrive in Barnstaple situated at the head of the Taw estuary, where we meet you and transfer you to your hotel in the countryside. Take in the Devon air and relax in the grounds.Your host will meet you either tonight or tomorrow to welcome you and run through your itinerary.
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2. Day two
Barnstaple to a North Devon hamlet
We transfer you after breakfast to Barnstaple for you to pick up your bikes. Then you are off with most of the ride following the Tarka Trail and the course of an old railway line as it hugs the estuary to Bideford then follows the River Torridge through scenic woodlands, over bridges and through cuttings and tunnels. Virtually traffic free, with just a couple of slopes towards the end of the day, the route includes marshlands, old quays, a beach great for a dip and welcoming cafes in old railway stations. It's worth a detour across the 14th Century bridge to explore Bideford whilst the characterful market town of Great Torrington also boasts the Dartington glass factory. It's a day packed with variety that ends with a transfer to your spa hotel.
27 miles (44 km)
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3. Day three
A North Devon hamlet to Chagford
Pedalling south towards Dartmoor, you are rewarded with amazing views and unexpected finds. We won't spill the beans but simply tempt you by mentioning market day, a pottery and farmhouse refreshments. Leaving Okehampton you head into Dartmoor National Park, twisitng lanes, ups and downs, the charming village of Chagford and onto Bovey Castle and spa with its imposing charm and vast grounds. You might want to linger here for an additional night!
30 miles (48 km)
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4. Day four
Chagford to a Dartmoor hideway
Still riding for most of the day in Dartmoor National Park you pick up another old railway route with 11 miles of traffic free cycling along The Granite Way. On this spectacular ride which includes the long Meldon Viaduct, the moor with its craggy tors and the surrounding countryside are yours to savour. Your enchanting overnight stop in a Jacobean Manor house enjoys a sheltered position beneath Dartmoor's tors.
28 miles (45 km)
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5. Day five
A Dartmoor hideaway to Tavistock
This is rural Devon at its best as you skirt around the edge of Dartmoor, through pretty villages with thatched dwellings and verdant valleys with gurgling streams. Explore a hidden gorge or a ruined castle and stop awhile in cosy pubs. Tavistock is a historic and unspoilt town where you may enjoy ambling among the specialist shops and the market stalls before heading on to your country hotel outside the town with an award-winning restaurant.
20 miles (32 km)
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6. Day six
Tavistock to Plymouth
Leave Tavistock behind with a short uphill across the downs and you are back on Dartmoor. Panoramic vistas, picturesque bridges and attractive moorland villages are the picture for the next few miles as you pedal across this outstanding scene. You're on top of the world and its all downhill from now! The route leads to a pretty wooded valley and beyond to yet another old railway track where you can freewheel through tunnels and viaducts down to the outskirts of Plymouth. Find your hotel here for the next 2 nights and enjoy!
18 miles (29 km)
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7. Day seven
Plymouth to Cawsand and back
Today's ride takes you traffic free right to the coast and around the famous Hoe in Plymouth where so many ships have passed in and out of this maritime city. Hop onto a morning boat trip from Plymouth with your bikes aboard to land on the little beach at Cawsand on the south coast of Cornwall. Enjoy this picturesque hamlet before riding on to Kingsand bay and through Mount Edgecumbe Park to take the small ferry back into Plymouth and onto your hotel for a second night there.
Optional 25 miles (40 km)
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8. Day eight
Depart Plymouth
Bid farewell to your steed and depart at your leisure. The tour includes a transfer back to Barnstaple or to Plymouth if you are returning to London, Plymouth is 3.5 hours by train to London.