Castle Drogo and Fingle Bridge — Exeter gravel routes

The River Teign makes for an excellent setting for gravel riding, with many delightful bridleways along the water and high-level tracks to Castle Drogo too. Starting from Exe Bridges to the west of the city, this Tour heads out parallel to the A30 on lanes following National Cycle Network Route 279 before tracking the river to quaint Dunsford and returning on more high-sided Devon lanes.

Start the tour by climbing to the west to Heath Cross, revealing gorgeous views on clear, sunny days. Enjoy the descent into Tedburn St Mary and your first taste of off-road riding on the bridleway past Southdown Plantation before crossing over the A30 to Cheriton Bishop.

Before you reach Crockernwell, pick up a bridleway alongside the brook marking the boundary between Mid and West Devon. Take the lane to Preston and then Drewsteignton, before peeling off onto the road alongside the impressive sight of Castle Drogo.

Next up you’ll take the Hunters Path, a brilliant single and doubletrack route high above the Teign Gorge and wooded valley, heading back to the east before a fun descent to Fingle Bridge.

A smoother section of gravel bridleway leads you along the Teign to Clifford Bridge, before more bridleway to Steps Bridge where you peel away from the river to Dunsford village. Return back to Exeter via quiet, narrow country lanes through farmland before rejoining your initial climb out of the city.