The best traffic-free bike rides in Mid Devon

Mid Devon offers a good selection of traffic-free gravel biking opportunities. This guide features 19 routes, ranging from moderate to difficult, ensuring a diverse experience for gravel cyclists looking to avoid cars.

You'll find a varied landscape perfect for gravel biking. Expect picturesque rolling hills, lush countryside, and serene river valleys. Trails often follow disused railway lines, forest roads, and bridleways, providing a mix of compacted gravel, dirt, and sometimes rocky sections, especially closer to Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks.

Yes, for a gentler, family-friendly experience, the Grand Western Canal towpath is an excellent choice. It's an 11-mile heritage waterway with a generally flat and smooth compacted limestone surface, ideal for leisurely cycling away from traffic. Another option is the Tarka Trail, which has a significant 32-mile traffic-free section on a disused railway line.

Mid Devon's trails often pass by historical sites and natural beauty spots. You might encounter places like Heywood Castle Motte and Bailey, the charming Bickleigh Mill & The Bridge Inn, or the impressive Wellington Monument. The Grand Western Canal itself is a highlight, offering tranquil views.

Absolutely. For a more demanding ride, consider routes that venture towards the edges of Dartmoor or Exmoor. An example is the Castle Drogo and Fingle Bridge route, which covers nearly 55 km with over 1000 meters of elevation gain, offering a significant challenge on varied gravel surfaces.

The komoot community highly rates Mid Devon's gravel trails, with an average score of 4.36 stars. Riders frequently praise the peaceful, car-free environment, the stunning natural scenery, and the diverse range of trails that cater to different skill levels, from gentle canal paths to challenging climbs in the national parks.

Yes, many routes in Mid Devon provide this variety. For instance, the Killerton, Ashclyst and East Hill route takes you through woodlands and open areas, offering a dynamic gravel experience. Haldon Forest also provides dedicated gravel roads and mountain biking trails that are suitable for gravel bikes, combining forest riding with scenic views.

While Mid Devon is inland, some routes extend towards the coast or offer distant coastal glimpses. The Haldon, Mamhead and Dawlish route, for example, brings you closer to the coast, potentially offering views of the Bristol Channel or the Exe Estuary, combining forest tracks with open sections.

Spring and autumn are often considered ideal, with milder temperatures and beautiful scenery as the landscape changes. Summer offers longer daylight hours, but trails can be busier. Winter riding is possible, but be prepared for potentially wet and muddy conditions, especially on unpaved sections, and check local weather forecasts.

Many of the gravel routes in Mid Devon are designed as loops, allowing you to start and finish at the same point without retracing your steps. For example, the Haldon Belvedere and the Estuary route is a challenging circular tour that explores diverse landscapes around Haldon Forest and the Exe Estuary.

Yes, Mid Devon is home to several river valleys, including the Exe, Culm, and Creedy. The River Otter and Common route is a great example, offering scenic riding alongside the River Otter, providing a peaceful waterside experience away from traffic.