Topsham to Woodbury Common — Exeter gravel routes

This shorter Tour is a great loop from Topsham, a gorgeous town on the Exe Estuary that you can reach from Exeter down the canal towpath via a seasonal ferry, along the Exe Estuary Trail or on the train. Heading up the hillside from the Exe to Woodbury Common, enjoy vast views over to the west of the Exe and as far as Dartmoor on a clear day from this expansive heathland.

Take the Exe Estuary Trail from Topsham to Exton to start, past the brilliant RSPB Goosemoor nature reserve. Bring your binos if you fancy seeing the ducks and waders up close! Take the brilliant bridleway from the village up to Woodbury and continue to climb on Castle Lane all the way up to the last bridleway push to the moat remains of Woodbury Castle.

You’ll soon see why Woodbury Common is so brilliant on a gravel bike here, on the wide, fast flowing gravel roads with impressive views of the Jurassic Coastline and blue sea beyond. Skirt the edge of the common on the narrow holly-lined bridleway to the east, with some more technical, rooty sections to challenge you.

Climb more rocky tracks to Blackhill Quarry, where decommissioned quarry pools are now home to seabirds and other species like tufted ducks. Head back down the hill to the estuary on country lanes to Lympstone, where you can pick up the estuary trail again back to Topsham.