Distance 102 miles (164km)
Classification Moderate to difficult
Start The quay, lfracombe
Finish The Barbican, Plymouth, PL1
Duration 1–3 days
Route NCN route 27
Map Devon North cycle map, Devon South cycle map, The Ultimate Devon Coast to Coast Guide). OS Tour 5
Route notes
A long and beautifully lush route, and not too daunting for the average cyclist. Beginning along the popular coast of north Devon, the route takes riders through the valleys of a series of rivers, following the western edge of Dartmoor for much of the way before arriving in historic Plymouth.
Terrain and gradients
Much of the route follows former railway lines; 71 of the 102 miles are offroad and the railway legacy means a lot of sections are flat.
How to get there/away
The nearest station to the start point is Barnstaple (also on the route, but not at the start), almost 10 miles away, with connections to Exeter. But Plymouth railway station has connections to London and beyond.
What to see
The countryside and coasts – not to mention the adjoining delights of Dartmoor – are the main draw here. The beaches of north Devon give way to the lush valleys of the Torridge, the Tavy and the Walkham rivers, through tunnels and across spectacular viaducts bequeathed by Victorian railway engineers. But there are also pretty towns en route, plus the seaport of Plymouth at the end, which has bags of maritime history.
Accommodation and watering holes
Plenty at both ends, plus a good selection along the way, so it's great for riders who prefer to amble along and take three or four days. But it's advisable to book ahead if you're riding in the summer tourist season.
Going from north to south: Ilfracombe has a wide choice, for example Ocean Backpackers hostel. It's close to the start of the route and is affordable. The Yarde Orchard in Great Torrington, also on the Tarka trail 35 miles from Ilfracombe, has a choice of bunkhouse or yurts, and can cater for larger groups. There is also a cafe. The youth hostel in Okehampton is a handy stop: it offers bike washing, a dry room, evening meals and breakfasts. The prices are reasonable, and it's also close to Dartmoor.
If you want to splash out a bit, there's the beautiful old Lydford Country House in Lydford (not to be confused with Lydford in Somerset), with comfortable rooms, a fine restaurant and bike hire also available.
