The best road cycling routes around Shaugh Prior

There are over 220 road cycling routes available around Shaugh Prior, catering to various skill levels. This includes 27 easy routes, 121 moderate routes, and 76 difficult routes, ensuring options for everyone from beginners to experienced cyclists.

Road cycling around Shaugh Prior offers a diverse range of terrain. You'll find routes through the deep wooded gorge of the Plym Valley, expansive moorlands of Dartmoor with its iconic tors, and the distinctive china clay country. As you head south, the landscape transitions to gentler, rolling farmlands of South Hams. The area features a network of quiet country lanes, as well as traffic-free paths like the Plym Valley Trail.

Yes, Shaugh Prior offers several easy road cycling routes perfect for beginners or families. The Cann Viaduct – Plym Valley Trail loop from Plym Bridge is a moderate option that includes sections of the Plym Valley Trail, which is mostly paved and traffic-free. The Plym Valley Trail itself is known for being family-friendly, following the River Plym through National Trust-owned woodland.

For more challenging road cycling, head towards Dartmoor National Park. The Dartmoor Way, a 95-mile circular route around Dartmoor, offers winding country lanes, significant elevation gains, and panoramic views. Routes like Abbey Bridge and Weir – Fox Tor Café loop from Plym Bridge, with over 700 meters of elevation, provide a vigorous experience on the challenging terrain of Dartmoor's roads.

Many routes offer stunning natural features and landmarks. You can explore the ancient oakwoods and Dewerstone Rocks in the Plym Valley, or venture onto Dartmoor to see iconic tors like Bellever Tor and Longaford Tor. The Cawsand Beach – View of the Rame Peninsula loop from Plym Bridge extends to the coast, offering views of the Rame Peninsula.

Yes, many road cycling routes around Shaugh Prior are circular. Examples include the Abbey Bridge and Weir – Fox Tor Café loop from Plym Bridge and the Plymbridge Valley Cycle Path loop from Plympton. The wider Dartmoor Way is also a challenging 95-mile circular route around Dartmoor National Park, accessible from Shaugh Prior.

The road cycling routes in Shaugh Prior are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.5 stars from over 140 reviews. Cyclists often praise the diverse landscapes, from the quiet woodlands of the Plym Valley to the open moorlands of Dartmoor, and the network of quiet country lanes that offer varied terrain for all abilities.

Yes, the Plym Valley Trail, which is part of routes like the Cann Viaduct – Plym Valley Trail loop from Plym Bridge, features impressive viaducts and old railway structures. The Shaugh Tunnel, originally part of the South Devon & Tavistock Railway, is now lit and open for cyclists. The Plym Valley also contains historical remnants such as a 19th-century iron mine and quarry tramway.

The best time to go road cycling in Shaugh Prior is generally from spring through autumn. During these seasons, the weather is typically milder, and the natural beauty of the Plym Valley and Dartmoor is at its peak. While some routes are accessible year-round, the higher moorland roads can be exposed to harsh weather in winter.

Yes, some routes extend towards the coast, offering sea views. The Cawsand Beach – View of the Rame Peninsula loop from Plym Bridge is a moderate route that takes you to the coast, providing scenic views of the Rame Peninsula.

Yes, Shaugh Prior provides excellent access to sections of the National Cycle Network. The Plym Valley Trail is a stretch of the Devon Coast to Coast cycle ride, and Drake's Trail, which connects Tavistock with Plymouth, utilizes National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 27. Parts of the Dartmoor Way also share sections with NCN Route 27.

Absolutely. The Plym Valley offers stunning views, particularly around Dewerstone Rocks. On Dartmoor, tors like Combestone Tor and South Hessary Tor provide panoramic vistas. The Gem Bridge on Drake's Trail also offers lovely views across the Walkham valley. Routes like View of Plymouth – Cadover Bridge loop from Notre Dame RC School are designed to showcase scenic points.