7 Cycle Rides around North Devon
& Exmoor Challenge • Interlinked Routes • No Map Reading • Unique Design - Easy to Follow while Riding
Part 1 Devised and Written by Bryan Cath
Cycle Routes around North Devon Introduction This booklet is Part 1 of 14 cycle rides around North Devon, 13 of which are based on the Tarka Trail. The Tarka Trail is a cycle and walking route that follows the old railway lines that used to go from Barnstaple to Ilfracombe and Barnstaple to Meeth in mid Devon. It provides easy cycling along surfaced routes through some beautiful scenery. This book gives you circular rides which use the Tarka Trail as the link between these routes. They follow parts of the trail, quiet country lanes and tracks which pass by some places of interest to visit or places to eat. You can join routes together to create a longer ride, or take shortcuts on others to give rides suitable for children. The Exmoor Challenge is a mainly off-road route following small roads and bridleways across Exmoor. You will need a mountain bike and some ability to ride over rough terrain. It is worth the effort for the excellent scenery and challenge. This route also passes places to eat and rest along the way. The last 6 miles are over the moor and a little more remote. I wrote these routes while cycling them myself. I have designed the description of the routes so that you can follow them from the graphic interpretation of the junctions. You are always cycling up the graphic from the dot to the arrow. Ideally you need to put this book in a handlebar clip or bag with a window for a map. It is always sensible to take the OS map mentioned in the route details with you. Having run cycling and walking holidays since 1987 I have got to know the area really well, so hopefully you will enjoy the routes as much as I did when I rode them. I have had plenty of people ride these routes and found them really easy to follow. I hope you enjoy them. Bryan Cath Copyright Š Bryan Cath, 2012 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the copyright holder and Publisher. www.combewalks.com Twitter: @bryancath; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ExmoorWalking-Festival/264423586917341
1
and the Exmoor Challenge Route 1
Ilfracombe via Woolacombe circular 18.6 miles, 7.3 off-road (with shortcuts) 9.2 or 14.1 A picturesque ride with plenty of off-road riding and two long climbs Route 2, Ilfracombe start
Ilfracombe via Braunton and Marwood Gardens circular 23.6 miles, 3.5 off-road A gently undulating ride with some off-road riding and lovely open views 2a, Braunton start
Braunton via Marwood Gardens and Ilfracombe circular 22.7 miles, 3.5 off-road A gently undulating ride with some off-road riding and lovely open views Route 3
Ilfracombe via Arlington Court (NT) circular 23.9 miles, no off-road A fairly hilly ride with a beautiful garden and National Trust property for breaks Route 4
Braunton via Taw & Torridge Estuary & Bideford circular 29.6 miles, 13.9 off-road (with shortcuts) 10.7 or 17.7 A figure of eight ride including the Tarka Trail cycleway and country lanes
2
Route 5
Barnstaple via Chittlehampton circular 25.1 miles, 3.3 off-road A fairly hilly ride but worth it for the scenery and tranquillity. Long easy finish Exmoor Challenge
Hillsford Bridge, near Lynmouth circular 12.6 miles, 8.4 off-road A challenging moorland mountain bike ride with plenty of off-road riding and great scenery
3
4
Route 1
Always go straight
Ilfracombe via cycleway to Willingcott, then to Pickwell, Woolacombe, Mortehoe, Lee to follow the coast path bridleway back to Ilfracombe. 18.6 miles, 7.3 miles off-road, shortcut versions 9.2 and 14.1 miles This ride starts fairly easy as it climbs the old railway track at a steady gradient of 1:36, passing through a tunnel and beside the old Slade Reservoirs along the way. It then passes the children’s theme park at ‘Once Upon a Time’ before returning to small country roads at Willingcott. From here, the ride gently undulates as it passes through Pickwell on its way to Putsborough. The route then follows the South West Coast Path and the Marine Drive car park down to Woolacombe. At the end of Woolacombe beach, the route climbs steeply to Mortehoe before becoming easy again to Lee. It then climbs a small lane to the coast path bridleway for an easy picturesque ride back to Ilfracombe.
Mileages are within 0.10 of a mile. The first shown is the distance between Junction layouts and the second is the accumulated mileage of the route. Distance (miles)
Junction Layout Plan You are at
Directions and Instructions XR= cross rd; TJ=T junction; TL,TR=turn left/right; SO=straight on; SP=signs; L,R=left/right
1
00.00 00.00
Landmark Theatre TR out of theatre car park. Route 2 starts here
2
00.20 00.20
SO at traffic lights
3
00.20 00.40
TR at traffic lights
00.10 00.50
over roundabout and take Station Road straight ahead (main road bearing off L)
5
00.20 00.70
SO at Richmond Road turning
6
00.20 00.90
start of cycleway opposite PAL factory entrance
4
5
on unless otherwise directed Distance (miles)
Junction Layout Plan
Directions and Instructions
follow cycleway on tarmaced surface as it turns R and L, continuing on through tunnel and past reservoirs at main road, cross SO using refuge, continuing along cycleway. Shortcut, TR and R again on road to Mortehoe. end of cycleway turn hard R on to road, SP NCN27
7
00.10 01.00
8
02.80 03.80
9
00.50 04.30
10
01.30 05.60
Roadway Corner SO, unless taking shortcut (beware steep hill if you do)
11
00.80 06.40
TR SP Pickwell Route 2 leaves here
12
00.70 07.10
bear L at Pickwell
13
00.90 08.00
TR SP Putsborough
14
00.60 08.60
SO over ford
15
00.20 09.00
follow road round to R SP Putsborough Beach
16
00.80 06.40
at Clifton Court SO SP Coast Path, along track
6
Route 1 Distance (miles)
Always go straight Junction Layout Plan
Directions and Instructions
17
00.30 09.30
when track ends, follow bridleway straight ahead
18
00.40 09.70
on reaching track ahead, follow it
19
01.20 10.90
at end of car park (Marine Drive) TL to Woolacombe
20
00.40 11.30
Woolacombe TL SP Mortehoe
21
01.50 12.40
Mortehoe SO at Post Office, SP Ilfracombe
22
01.40 13.80
Borough Cross TL by Higher Warcombe C&C Park
23
01.80 15.60
Lee Go past the bay and along the road behind hotel. TL SP Coast Path
24
00.60 16.20
at gate at Flat Point (NT) continue SO along track
25
01.00 17.20
at end of track pass through bridle gate and down walled track
26
00.30 17.50
at hair-pin bend ahead of you, take L fork
7
on unless otherwise directed Distance (miles)
Junction Layout Plan
Directions and Instructions
27
00.50 18.00
follow road round all bends until reaching next road, turn hard L
28
00.40 18.40
at end of Torrs Park bear L (not to traffic lights) and pass Carlton Hotel
29
00.10 18.50
TL on to main road
30
00.10 18.60
TL into car park by the Landmark Theatre. I hope you enjoyed this ride.
Further Information Car parking: Park in the Landmark Theatre car park in the front of or beside the theatre. The ride starts from the car park. Local Tourist Information Centres: Ilfracombe Tourist Information Centre, The Landmark. (01271) 863001 Woolacombe TIC, The Esplanade. (01271) 870553 Cycle Hire operators: Mister Bike, Ilfracombe (01271) 864466 Otter Cycle Hire, Braunton (01271) 813339 Relevant OS Maps: Landranger 180, 1:50,000
8
Route 1
Always go straight
Route Map with Interlinking Routes Adjoining Routes
Picnic site
Coastline Hill, pointing downhill Woodland
1
� Church Food
T �
2
Toilets Telephone
1
Route 1 Statistics: Distance: 18.6 miles Height lost/gained: 611m Highest Point: 192m Lowest Point: 29m
Ilfracombe
�T
27 25
Bristol Channel
26 6 Tunnel
24 23
Slade Reservoirs
�T
�
Lee
T
�
7
co ra Ilf
�
21
3
mbe a Cycle w y
Route
8
Children's Adventure Park
shortcut
22
9
Mortehoe
Willingcott
20
�T
Route 2 enters here leaves here
Woolacombe
19
shortc
ut
10
N
T
11 12
Pickwell
18 16
� 15
9
13
Putsborough
�
200m 150m 100m 50m
0m
2
5
7
2m
4m
8
9
10
6m
11
12
13
8m
18
10m
19 20
12m
21
14m
22
23
24
16m
25
27
18m
on unless otherwise directed
Route Profile
Notes for Route 1
10
Route 2
Always go straight
Ilfracombe via cycleway to Willingcott, then to Braunton, Ashford, Marwood Gardens and back to Ilfracombe. 23.6 miles, 3.5 miles off-road, no shortcuts. This ride starts fairly easy as it climbs the old railway track at a steady gradient of 1:36, passing through a tunnel and beside the old Slade Reservoirs along the way. It then passes the children’s theme park at ‘Once Upon a Time’ before returning to small country roads at Willingcott. From here, the ride gently undulates and keeps generally easy all the way to Braunton. Leaving Braunton behind, there is a short climb to Heanton Punchardon, which then becomes easy riding again to Ashford. The ride then becomes more undulating with a chance to visit the beautiful Marwood Gardens before an undulating climb to Hore Down Gate and a long down hill back to Ilfracombe.
Mileages are within 0.10 of a mile. The first shown is the distance between Junction layouts and the second is the accumulated mileage of the route. Distance (miles)
Junction Layout Plan You are at
Directions and Instructions XR= cross rd; TJ=T junction; TL,TR=turn left/right; SO=straight on; SP=signs; L,R=left/right
Landmark Theatre TR out of Theatre car park Route 1 also starts here SO at traffic lights
1
00.00 00.00
2
00.20 00.20
3
00.20 00.40
TR at traffic lights
4
00.10 00.50
5
00.20 00.70
over roundabout and take Station Road straight ahead (main road bearing off L) SO at Richmond Road turning
6
00.20 00.90
start of cycleway opposite PAL factory entrance
7
00.10 01.00
Follow cycleway on tarmaced surface as it turns R and L, continuing on through tunnel and past reservoirs
11
on unless otherwise directed Distance (miles)
Junction Layout Plan
Directions and Instructions
At main road, cross SO using refuge, continuing along cycleway. Shortcut TR and R again on road to Mortehoe. end of cycleway turn hard R on to road, SP NCN27
8
02.80 03.80
9
00.60 04.40
10
01.40 05.70
Roadway Cross SO, unless taking shortcut (beware of steep hill if you do)
11
01.00 06.70
Oxford Cross bear L SP North Buckland
12
00.40 07.10
Bye Cross TL and immediately R
13
01.50 08.60
Nomansland continue ahead SP Braunton
14
00.20 08.80
Fairlinch Cross take the road ahead down the hill
15
00.70 09.50
on reaching the main road, TL towards Braunton
16
00.40 09.90
Braunton just before pedestrian crossing, TR into car park. TIC now on L
17
00.10 10.00
follow through car park, bearing L at end. At exit TR into road (South St.) Route 4 starts here
18
00.40 10.40
at end of South St. TL and SO over roundabout. (ignore Tarka Trail on R)
12
Route 2 Distance (miles)
Always go straight Junction Layout Plan
Directions and Instructions
19
00.40 10.80
TL at TJ
20
00.10 10.90
at XR go SO to pass Williams Arms. Use central refuge on L if necessary. Then TR SP Heanton
21
00.10 11.00
TL SP Heanton Punchardon
22
02.80 13.80
Springfield at XR go SO, SP Marwood Route 4 leaves here
23
00.30 14.10
Springfield Cross at TJ TL SP Marwood
24
01.30 15.40
at Guineaford XR, TL SP Marwood Gardens
25
00.20 15.60
26
00.50 15.80
Wigley Cross at XR TL SP Ilfracombe Route 3 leaves here
27
04.10 19.90
Hore Down Gate TL and immediately R towards Ilfracombe
28
00.40 20.30
Two Pots Continue ahead and then bear R down hill to Ilfracombe
13
Marwood Gardens entrance on L. Very much worth a visit. After visit continue on, going R ignoring road to church
on unless otherwise directed Distance (miles)
Junction Layout Plan
Directions and Instructions
29
02.10 22.40
TL into Northfield Road and continue to end
30
00.70 23.10
at end of Northfield Road, TR and then L into Church St.
31
00.10 23.20
at traffic lights TR towards seafront
32
00.20 23.40
at next traffic lights go SO
33
00.20 23.60
TL and L again into car park by the Landmark Theatre. I hope you enjoyed this ride.
Further Information Car parking: Park in the Landmark Theatre car park in the front of or beside the theatre. The ride starts from the car park Local Tourist Information Centres: Ilfracombe Tourist Information Centre, The Landmark. (01271) 863001 Braunton TIC, The Bake House Centre. (01271) 816400 Local Cycle Hire operators: Mister Bike, Ilfracombe (01271) 864466 Otter Cycle Hire, Braunton (01271) 813339 Relevant OS Maps: Landranger 180, 1:50,000
14
Route 2
Always go straight
Route Map with Interlinking Routes Route
Picnic site
River
� Church
Hill, pointing downhill Woodland
&
u T �
3
Food
2
Toilets Telephone
Route 2 Statistics: Distance: 23.6 miles Height lost/gained: 744m Highest Point: 261m Lowest Point: 4m
4
1
Ilfracombe 29
3
� u
8 9
a le w&
& &
&
I l fr a c o
e C yc
Slade Reservoirs
mb
Children's Adventure Park
Route 3 enters here leaves here
28
&
Willingcott
�
& & & &
& y
& Tunnel
u� T
30
7
Route 1 enters here leaves here
Adjoining Routes
1
27
N
10 11 12
13
�
14
� 15 16
u�T
Braunton 21 19
15
� Heanton Punchardon Route 4 enters here leaves here
� �24
Marwood Gardens Prixford
22 Ashford
�
23
on unless otherwise directed
Notes for Route 2
24
50m
150m
250m
0m
3m
8
9
10
6m
11 12
13
9m
12m
22
15m
26
18m
27
21m
29
Route Profile
16
Route 2a
Always go straight
Braunton, Ashford, Marwood Gardens, Ilfracombe then cycleway to Willingcott and back to Braunton. 22.7 miles, 3.5 miles off-road, no shortcuts. Leaving Braunton, there is a short climb to Heanton Punchardon, which then becomes easy riding again to Ashford. The ride then becomes more undulating with a chance to visit the beautiful Marwood Gardens before an undulating climb to Hore Down Gate and a long down hill to Ilfracombe. This ride then climbs the old railway track at a steady gradient of 1:36, passing through a tunnel and beside the old Slade Reservoirs along the way. It then passes the children’s theme park at ‘Once Upon a Time’ before returning to small country roads at Willingcott. From here, the ride gently undulates and keeps generally easy all the way back to Braunton.
Mileages are within 0.10 of a mile. The first shown is the distance between Junction layouts and the second is the accumulated mileage of the route. Distance (miles)
1
00.00 00.00
Junction Layout Plan You are at
CP Surgery
Directions and Instructions XR= cross rd; TJ=T junction; TL,TR=turn left/right; SO=straight on; SP=signs; L,R=left/right
leave car park through rear entrance. At exit TR into road (South St.) Route 4 also starts here
2
00.50 00.50
at end of South St. TL and SO over roundabout. (ignore Tarka Trail on R)
3
00.30 00.80
TL at TJ
4
00.10 00.90
5
00.10 01.00
at XR go SO to pass Williams Arms. Use central refuge on L if necessary. Then TR SP Heanton TL SP Heanton Punchardon
6
02.80 03.80
Springfield at XR go SO, SP Marwood Route 4 leaves here
7
00.40 04.20
Springfield Cross at TJ TL SP Marwood
17
on unless otherwise directed Distance (miles)
Junction Layout Plan
Directions and Instructions
at Guineaford XR, TL SP Marwood Gardens
8
01.20 05.40
9
00.20 05.60
10
00.30 05.90
11
04.00 09.90
Hore Down Gate TL and immediately R towards Ilfracombe
12
00.50 10.40
Two Pots Continue ahead and then bear R down hill to Ilfracombe
13
02.10 12.50
TL into Northfield Road and continue to end
14
00.60 13.10
at end of Northfield Road, TR and then L into Church St.
15
00.10 13.20
at traffic lights go SO
16
00.10 13.30
over roundabout and take Station Road straight ahead (main road bearing off L)
Marwood Gardens entrance on L. Very much worth a visit. After visit continue on, going R ignoring road to church Wigley Cross at XR TL SP Ilfracombe Route 3 leaves here
18
Route 2a Distance (miles)
Junction Layout Plan
Always go straight Directions and Instructions
17
00.10 13.40
SO at Richmond Road turning
18
00.20 13.60
start of cycleway opposite PAL factory entrance
19
00.20 13.80
20
02.70 16.50
21
00.60 17.10
Follow cycleway on tarmaced surface as it turns R and L, continuing on through tunnel and past reservoirs At main road, cross SO using refuge, continuing along cycleway. Shortcut TR and R again on road to Mortehoe. end of cycleway turn hard R on to road, SP NCN27
22
01.30 18.40
Roadway Cross SO, unless taking shortcut (beware of steep hill if you do)
23
01.00 19.40
Oxford Cross bear L SP North Buckland
24
00.50 19.90
Bye Cross TL and immediately R
25
01.40 21.30
Nomansland continue ahead SP Braunton
19
on unless otherwise directed Distance (miles)
Junction Layout Plan
Directions and Instructions
26
00.30 21.60
Fairlinch Cross take the road ahead down the hill
27
00.70 22.30
on reaching the main road, TL towards Braunton
28
00.40 22.70
Braunton just before pedestrian crossing, TR into car park. Return to your car. I hope you enjoyed this ride.
Further Information Car parking: Park in Braunton’s central car park. The ride starts from here. Local Tourist Information Centres: Ilfracombe Tourist Information Centre, The Landmark. (01271) 863001 Braunton TIC, The Bake House Centre. (01271) 816400 Local Cycle Hire operators: Mister Bike, Ilfracombe (01271) 864466 Otter Cycle Hire, Braunton (01271) 813339 Relevant OS Maps: Landranger 180, 1:50,000
20
Route 2a
Always go straight
Route Map with Interlinking Routes Route
Picnic site
River
� Church
Hill, pointing downhill Woodland
Adjoining Routes
1 3
Food
T �
2
Toilets Telephone
Route 2 Statistics: Distance: 22.7 miles Height lost/gained: 725m Highest Point: 261m Lowest Point: 4m
4
�T
Ilfracombe 13 18
Route 1 enters here leaves here
15
y
Tunnel a Slade le w Reservoirs
e C yc
�
�
I l fr a c o
mb
12
20Children's 21
Adventure Park
Willingcott
Route 3 enters here leaves here
11
N
22 23 24
25
�
26
�T
� 27
1
Braunton 5 3
21
� Heanton Punchardon Route 4 enters here leaves here
� �8
Marwood Gardens Prixford
6 Ashford
7
�
100m
200m
300m
0m
2
3m
6 7
8
6m
10
9m
11 12
12m
19 15m
20 21
22 18m
23 24
25 26 21m
on unless otherwise directed
Route Profile
Notes for Route 2a
22
Route 3
Always go straight
Ilfracombe to Marwood Gardens, then to Muddiford, Churchill and Arlington Court (NT). Return to Churchill and then back via Berrynarbor to Ilfracombe. 23.9 miles, no off-road, no shortcuts This ride starts with a long steady pull out of Ilfracombe to Hore Down Gate. The ride then undulates generally down hill to Marwood Gardens. From here, you go down into the valley at Muddiford to then have a long climb up Whitefield Hill. The ride now becomes easier through Churchill to Arlington Court (NT). There is a National Trust house here, which used to belong to Rosalie Chichester, aunt of Sir Francis Chichester who is buried in the nearby Shirwell churchyard. The ride returns to Churchill, gaining height gently to Berry Down Cross before going down the lovely Sterridge Valley to pass through the picturesque ‘Best Kept Village’ of Berrynarbor. The ride then climbs out of Berrynarbor before dropping down to Hele where you can visit the restored corn mill and get some refreshments ready for a final climb back to Ilfracombe.
Mileages are within 0.10 of a mile. The first shown is the distance between Junction layouts and the second is the accumulated mileage of the route. Distance (miles)
Junction Layout Plan You are at
Directions and Instructions XR= cross rd; TJ=T junction; TL,TR=turn left/right; SO=straight on; SP=signs; L,R=left/right
1
00.00 00.00
Exit car park and cross SO into Chambercombe Park Road
2
00.30 00.30
turn L up Croft Lea Park
3
00.10 00.40
4
01.80 02.20
5
00.50 02.70
Hore Down Gate TL and immediately R SP Marwood
6
04.10 06.80
Wigley Cross TR SP Marwood, to Gardens and Church
7
00.20 07.00
Marwood Gardens and Church, both worth a visit
23
TL into New Barnstaple Road and bear left at roundabout by recylcle centre Two Pots TR SP Marwood, up hill
on unless otherwise directed Distance (miles)
Junction Layout Plan
Directions and Instructions
8
00.30 07.30
return to previous junction, SO SP Muddiford, Milltown Route 2 enters here
9
01.00 08.30
at main road TL
10
00.20 08.50
TR up Whitefield Hill, SP Combe Martin. Long hill, narrow in places, take it slowly.
11
02.00 10.50
Indicott after long straight slight down hill, turn hard R, SP Churchill, East Down
12
00.60 11.10
at fork bear L
13
00.50 11.60
Ashelford Corner TL SP Churchill, East Down
14
00.00 11.60
TR SP Churchill, East Down, bridleway ahead but ignore it.
15
00.80 12.40
Churchill bear L SP Clifton, East Down
16
00.50 12.90
17
00.40 13.30
Clifton (go to 20 to miss Arlington) TP SP Arlington, Barnstaple Brockham Bridge at main road TL SP A39 Lynton
24
Route 3 Distance (miles)
Always go straight Junction Layout Plan
Directions and Instructions
18
00.50 13.80
TR SP Arlington Court
19
00.30 14.10
Arlington Court car park. Entrance opposite top end
20
01.30 15.40
return the way you came, to Clifton. At Clifton, SO SP East Down, Bugford
21
00.50 15.90
TL just after East Down Manor
22
00.90 16.80
follow SP to Berrydown
23
01.50 18.30
TR SP Berrydown
24
00.30 18.60
Berrydown Cross TL SP A3123 Woolacombe, Mortehoe, Ilfracombe
25
00.50 19.10
TR SP Sterridge Valley
26
02.20 21.30
TR SP Berrynarbor, Combe Martin
27
00.20 21.50
Berrynarbor TL SP Ilfracombe
25
on unless otherwise directed Distance (miles)
Junction Layout Plan
Directions and Instructions
28
00.20 21.70
TL SP Sterridge Valley
29
00.00 21.70
turn hard R up Haggington Hill and follow all the way to Hele
30
01.80 23.50
31
00.10 23.60
Hele (Hele Mill, refreshments down track on R) or keep on road round to R at main road, turn hard L up hill towards Ilfracombe
32
00.30 23.90
TR into car park I hope you enjoyed this ride.
Further Information Car parking: Park in the Hillsborough car park by the swimming pool on the Combe Martin road out of Ilfracombe. The ride starts from here. Local Tourist Information Centres: Ilfracombe Tourist Information Centre, The Landmark. Tel (01271) 863001 Cycle Hire operators: Mister Bike, Ilfracombe. Tel (01271) 864466 Otter Cycle Hire, Braunton. Tel (01271) 813339 Relevant OS Maps: Landranger 180, 1:50,000
26
Route 3
Always go straight
Route Map with Interlinking Routes
Route
Picnic site
River
Church
�
Hill, pointing downhill
Adjoining Routes 2
Food
T �
Woodland
3
Toilets Telephone
Route 3 Statistics: Distance: 23.9 miles Height lost/gained: 968m Highest Point: 261m Lowest Point: 24m
�
1
� 3
T
31
Hele Mill
30
29 Sterr idg e
4 5
Hore Down Gate Route 2 leaves here enters here
25
� Berrynarbor
ey Vall
Berry Down
N
Ilfracombe
27
24
� 23
11
22 East Down
�
T
6
� Marwood Gardens
27
Wh ite f ie
ll
Hi
ld
10
12 13
15
Churchill Muddiford
�
21
�
� T
Arlington Court (NT)
16&20
�
19
�
300m 250m 200m 150m 100m 50m
0m
4
5
3m
6m
6
8
10
9m
11
15
12m
13
17
19
20 21 15m
22
23 18m
25 21m
on unless otherwise directed
Route Profile
Notes for Route 3
28
Route 4
Always go straight
Braunton via Barnstaple and the Taw and Torridge Estuary, Bideford, Barnstaple and back to Braunton, figure of eight ride, 30.1 miles, 13.9 miles off-road. This ride can make two shorter routes, Braunton to Barnstaple at 10.7 miles or Barnstaple to Bideford at 17.7 miles. This ride is a figure of eight route crossing over at Barnstaple Station. The ride takes the country roads that overlook the River Taw soon dropping down to Barnstaple. From the railway station, the route then follows the easy off-road Tarka Trail, passing Fremington Quay where the old station has been restored as a cafĂŠ, ideal for a refreshment break. It then soon arrives at pretty Instow passing through a tunnel, over a level-crossing and past the restored signal box. The trail continues right beside the river to Bideford and the restored station complete with railway carriages containing an interpretation centre and small cafĂŠ. The ride now returns to small country roads again back to Barnstaple. Once across the river bridge the ride goes back on to the off-road cycleway of the Tarka Trail giving a gentle finish to this lovely route.
Mileages are within 0.10 of a mile. The first shown is the distance between Junction layouts and the second is the accumulated mileage of the route. Distance (miles)
1
00.00 00.00
Junction Layout Plan You are at
CP
Surgery
Directions and Instructions XR= cross rd; TJ=T junction; TL,TR=turn left/right; SO=straight on; SP=signs; L,R=left/right
TR out of the back entrance to the car park Route 2 enters here
2
00.50 00.50
at end of South Street, TL and SO roundabout
3
00.30 00.80
TL at TJ
4
00.10 00.90
5
00.10 01.00
at XR go SO to pass Williams Arms and then TR SP Heanton
6
01.90 03.90
7
00.40 04.30
8
01.00 05.30
Bradiford TR into Chaddiford Lane
9
00.40 05.70
at traffic lights, TL and then R at following lights to enter trading estate
29
TL SP Heanton Punchardon and follow road ahead Springfield at XR TR SP Barnstaple Route 2 leaves here Upcott bear R SP Barnstaple
on unless otherwise directed Distance (miles)
Junction Layout Plan
Directions and Instructions
10
00.20 05.90
at TJ, TL
11
00.10 06.00
as road bears L, take cycle path on R to Tarka Trail
12
00.10 06.10
TL on to Tarka Trail cycleway, cross swingbridge & follow marked cycle route
13
00.90 07.00
at Barnstaple Long Bridge go under bridge, TL up to road and over bridge
14
00.10 07.10
15
00.20 07.30
at end of bridge go SO to roundabout, then TL to station. Route 5 starts to L
Halfords
B&Q
TR on cyclepath to pass station alongside bus only road
16
00.10 07.40
TR just before bridge SP to Tarka Trail, Bideford
17
00.10 07.50
Pass under subway and TL on cyclepath
18
00.10 07.60
Follow under next subway and TL towards Bideford
19
02.40 10.00
Fremington Quay old station is now a cafe, cycle hire. Continue ahead Route 6 starts here
20
02.10 12.10
SO at Yelland where road crosses to ind.est.
21
00.50 12.60
picnic area on R
22
01.10 13.70
at Instow, having past through tunnel, cross SO by restored signal box
23
02.70 16.40
Bideford Station go down slope on R to road. Route 6 leaves here
30
Route 4 Distance (miles)
Always go straight Junction Layout Plan
Directions and Instructions
24
00.10 16.50
TR at roundabout, SP A366 Barnstaple, Bude
25
00.20 16.70
TR, as cyclists you can exit at the end of this road
26
00.40 17.10
at end of road, push bikes through gap and cross SO to take road to Eastleigh
27
01.70 18.80
Eastleigh continue ahead, (Barum 6) Barum=Barnstaple
28
01.30 20.10
XR, SO SP Barnstaple
29
03.00 23.10
SO at roundabout
30
00.20 23.30
when the road ends, follow the path, then the road ahead
31
00.30 23.60
at TJ, TL on to Old Torrington Road
32
00.20 23.80
at roundabout TR, SP Town Centre, B3233, follow cycleway beside road
33
00.20 24.00
near bottom of hill, follow cycleway off to L, just before pedestrian crossing
34
00.10 24.10
35
00.30 24.40
36
00.50 24.90
31
At road turn hard R and follow cyclepath round to L and R to reach Tarka Trail and TR on to it TL away from subway to circle up to main road. TL over river bridge on other side of river bridge TL down cyclepath to then TR on to Tarka Trail
on unless otherwise directed Distance (miles)
Junction Layout Plan
Directions and Instructions
ignore cycleway off to R that you came out of earlier. Go SO to Braunton
37
00.10 25.00
38
02.80 27.80
Chivenor Cross SO road and continue ahead
39
00.90 28.70
Wrafton Station go to R and then L along cycleway
40
00.50 29.20
at end of cycleway, TR to roundabout, cross SO & follow cycleway at end of South St.
41
00.30 29.50
at end of this short section of cycleway, TL on to road
42
00.10 29.60
when road takes sharp right hand bend, go ahead into car park by Police Station
43
00.00 29.60
return to your car in the car park. I hope you enjoyed this ride.
Further Information Car parking: Park in Braunton’s central car park. The ride starts from here. Local Tourist Information Centres: Braunton Tourist Information Centre, next to the car park. (01271) 816400 Barnstaple TIC, (01271) 375000 Bideford TIC, (01237) 477676 Cycle Hire operators: Otter Cycle Hire, Braunton (01271) 813339 Tarka Trail Cycle Hire, Barnstaple Station (01271) 324202 Bike Trail, Fremington Quay (01271) 372586 Relevant OS Maps: Landranger 180, 1:50,000
32
Route 4
Always go straight
Route Map with Interlinking Routes Route
Adjoining Routes
Picnic site
River
Church
Hill, pointing downhill
Food
T
Woodland
2
Toilets
5
Telephone 4
Route 4 Statistics: Distance: 30.1 miles Height lost/gained: 482m Highest Point: 116m Lowest Point: 1m
6
Route 2 enters here leaves here
T
Braunton
1
Heanton Punchardon
ka
r Ta
41
7
6
River Ca
Chivenor
l
9
ai Tr
38 Fremington Quay
Airfield
8
Bradiford
Ashford
31
en
29
l
Ta w Riv er
ai Tr
Route 5 starts and finishes here
r Ta
Yelland
20 21 Tunnel
28
22 Tapeley Park
Riv e
ge r Torrid
N
Instow
Eastleigh
27
26
T
Bideford
23
33
15
32
T
19 ka
T
Barnstaple
Route 6 leaves here enters here
25m
75m
125m
0m
2
3m
6
8
6m
12
15
9m
17
12m
18
20
15m
21
24
18m
25
26 21m
27 24m
32
36
27m
37
30m
39
on unless otherwise directed
Route Profile
Notes for Route 4
34
Route 5
Always go straight
Barnstaple via Cobbaton Combat Collection, Chittlehampton and East Buckland, and back to Barnstaple. 25.1 miles, 3.3 off-road, no shortcuts This ride takes you though typical Devon countryside, passing through attractive villages, past a farm park where you can see the collection of animals and birds and past a military museum. The ride is fairly hilly but worth the effort for the scenery and tranquillity.
Mileages are within 0.10 of a mile. The first shown is the distance between Junction layouts and the second is the accumulated mileage of the route. Distance (miles)
Junction Layout Plan You are at
Directions and Instructions XR= cross rd; TJ=T junction; TL,TR=turn left/right; SO=straight on; SP=signs; L,R=left/right
Barnstaple Leisure Centre Leave car park at far right corner, SP NCN3, Rock Park, Park School, Whiddon
1
00.00 00.00
2
00.50 00.50
3
00.40 00.90
4
00.30 01.20
5
00.90 02.10
6
00.70 02.80
Landkey Town TR opposite church SP Bableigh
7
00.30 03.00
Venn Lane End at XR TL SP Hannaford
8
00.50 03.50
Stony Lane End bear R SP Hannaford, Bydown
9
00.10 03.60
at fork bear R
35
TL over old railway bridge over River Taw Pass Park School and cross road by Toucan Crossing. Follow cycleway opposite after the 2nd road bridge over the cutting, go back R to the road and TL on to it when the road forks, TR and immediately L SP Landkey Town & Church
on unless otherwise directed Distance (miles)
Junction Layout Plan
Directions and Instructions
Combe Cross when road forks, bear R (to visit Farm Park, bear L to Swimbridge, L up hill and L again to Park) Bydown Cross bear R SP Dennington, Cobbaton, Chittlehampton
10
00.70 04.30
11
00.70 05.00
12
00.20 05.20
Dennington Cross TR SP Wrimstone, Cobbaton
13
01.30 06.50
Wrimstone Cross TR SP Cobbaton, Chittlehampton
14
00.40 06.90
Cobbaton Cross TL and immediately R, SP Umberleigh
15
00.30 07.20
Cobbaton Combat Collection on L, worth a visit
16
01.00 08.20
Watergate Cross TL SP Chittlehampton
17
00.60 08.80
Biddacott Cross SO SP Chittlehampton, Chittlehamholt
18
00.30 09.10
Townsend Cross TL SP Filleigh
19
01.00 10.10
Riding Cross TL SP Barnstaple, West Buckland
20
00.10 10.20
Lerwell Beech Tree Cross bear R SP Filleigh, W. Buckland, Barnstaple
21
00.80 11.00
Barton Cross TR SP Filleigh
36
Route 5 Distance (miles)
Always go straight Junction Layout Plan
Directions and Instructions
22
01.00 12.00
Church Cross TR SP S. Molton
23
00.90 12.90
Sawmills Cross TL SP East and West Buckland
24
00.50 13.40
Shallowford Cross follow road round to L
25
00.90 14.30
26
01.30 15.60
27
00.10 15.70
Old Station Cross follow road round to R SP East and West Buckland Brayley Cross follow road round to L SP East and West Buckland East Buckland Cross SO at XR
28
01.40 17.10
Goodwells Head TL SP Gunn, Goodleigh, Barnstaple
29
01.30 18.40
Stone Cross TL SP Gunn, Goodleigh, Barnstaple
30
01.00 19.40
Dean Cross bear L SP Bradninch, NCN3
31
01.70 21.10
32
00.30 21.40
Joy Cross bear R at fork SP Willesleigh, Goodleigh, Westacott Willesleigh Cross SO at XR SP Westacott, Barnstaple
33
01.00 22.40
34
00.10 22.50
37
Ivy Cross TL SP NCN3 and then immediately R on cyclepath on reaching road, follow it ahead on cycleway
on unless otherwise directed Distance (miles)
Junction Layout Plan
Directions and Instructions
Tesco’s roundabout cross over road on cycleway and go under subway. TR on other side and follow cycleway on reaching gate, TR and shortly cross over road to follow cycleway ahead to railway cutting
Tesco’s
35
00.80 23.30
36
00.30 23.60
37
00.60 24.20
at road, cross using Toucan crossing, continuing along cycleway past Park School
38
00.40 24.60
cross old railway bridge over River Taw and TR. Follow cycleway along riverbank
39
00.50 25.10
return back into car park and your car. I hope you enjoyed this ride.
Further Information Car parking: Park in the Leisure Centre car park beside the River Taw. As you enter the car park go to the far right corner to park. Local Tourist Information Centres: Barnstaple Tourist Information Centre, The Square 01271 375000 Cycle Hire operators: Tarka Trail Cycle Hire, 01271 324202 Bike Trail, Fremington Quay, 01271 372586 Relevant OS Maps: Landranger 180, 1:50,000
38
Route 5
Always go straight
Route Map with Interlinking Routes Route
Adjoining Routes
Picnic site
River
� Church
Hill, pointing downhill
4
Food
T �
Woodland
Toilets Telephone
Route 5 Statistics: Distance: 25.1 miles Height lost/gained: 687m Highest Point: 244m Lowest Point: 4m
5
Route 4 enters and exits here
T�
1
Barnstaple
2
River Ta w
&
3
North Devon Leisure Centre Tesco's Supermarket
33
5
Westacott
6
�
7
Landkey
8
31
10 Farm Park
�
12
13
�
30
Swimbridge
Cobbaton Combat Museum
29
N
16
Gunn
�
18
Chittlehampton
� 21 19
�
�
22
Filleigh
23 �
39
28 27
East Buckland
��
50m
150m
250m
0m
3
5
3m
8
10
12
6m
13
15
16
18
9m
19
21
22
12m
23
25
15m
27
28
29 18m
30
31 21m
33
24m
36
38
on unless otherwise directed
Route Profile
Notes for Route 5
40
Exmoor Challenge Hillsford Bridge via Watersmeet, Rockford, Malmsmead, the Doone Valley and the Farley Water valley This ride offers a brilliant off-road mountain bike ride with some good challenges along the way. Superb scenery is passed through along the route including places for refreshments.
Mileages are within 0.10 of a mile. The first shown is the distance between Junction layouts and the second is the accumulated mileage of the route. Distance (miles)
Junction Layout Plan You are at
Directions and Instructions XR= cross rd; TJ=T junction; TL,TR=turn left/right; SO=straight on; SP=signs; L,R=left/right
1
00.00 00.00
From Combe Park NT car park, go out of entrance to main road, TR over bridge and TL through gate to follow bridleway beside river
2
00.80 00.80
At Watersmeet, bear R to keep on bridleway SP Alternative Path
3
00.20 01.00
Pass restored lime kiln, worth a look!
4
00.20 01.20
At brow follow SP to Rockford on R, ignoring path ahead
5
00.80 02.00
Pass through gate and TL on road to Rockford
6
01.40 03.40
At Leeford Green continue SO towards Malmsmead
41
Always go straight on unless otherwise directed Distance (miles)
Junction Layout Plan
Directions and Instructions
7
02.10 05.50
At Malmsmead, go SO up hill SP Public Bridlepath to Doone Valley
8
00.20 05.70
on bend to R, take Public Bridleway on L through gate and follow track
9
00.50 06.20
Cloud Farm continue SO on bridlepath. Refreshments over bridge at Cloud Farm
10
01.00 07.20
Lank Combe bridge. Waterslide up to R. Cross over bridge and continue up main river on your L
11
00.60 07.80
Hoccombe Combe. TR between hillocks to pass medieval village, keeping on track ahead
12
00.90 08.70
at gate at brow of hill, follow track ahead, parallel to combe on R. Be aware of boggy ground
13
00.70 09.40
Lank Combe ford. Cross over ford and bear L up rough track
42
Exmoor Challenge Distance (miles)
Junction Layout Plan
Directions and Instructions
14
00.20 09.60
on meeting main track, bear L on to it and follow track
15
00.40 10.00
when track splits, bear off R to Dry Bridge
16
00.20 10.20
at Dry Bridge, TR on to main road and follow through bends
17
00.70 10.90
at small car park on L, go through and follow bridlepath through heather
18
00.20 11.10
pass through bridle gate in corner by stream, continuing SO through next 2 gates
19
00.30 11.40
on reaching farm road, TR and follow it down hill
20
00.10 11.50
half way down hill on corner to R, take track on L by deep valley and follow down zigzag track
21
00.40 11.90
at the gate at the bottom, TL on to small road
43
Always go straight on unless otherwise directed Distance (miles)
Junction Layout Plan
Directions and Instructions
22
00.10 12.00
at the top of the hill, TR towards Lynton
23
00.50 12.50
cross river bridge and turn hard L into Combe Park car park. I hope you enjoyed this ride.
Further Information Directions to start: Combe Park car park is on the junction of the A39 above Watermeet and Lynmouth, and the B3223 to Simonsbath. Turn on to the B3223 and immediately, before crossing the bridge, turn right into a small road and right again into the car park. Car parking: Park in the NT Combe Park car park Local Tourist Information Centres: Lynton TIC, Town Hall, Lynton Tel (01598) 752225 Cycle Hire operators: Just Ride, Lynmouth (01598) 752529 Relevant OS Maps: Landranger 180, 1:50,000
44
22
23
Bridge Ball
1
H
2
r
3
T
20
18
4
17
Dry Bridge
Rockford
5
16
15
14
Brendon
6
r Fa
le
y
8
10
9
Cloud Farm
T
ewor
11
ater thy W
er
at W
Hoccombe Combe
12
7
Malmsmead
Lankcombe Combe
Lankcombe Ford
13
East Lyn River
Badg
19
21
Hillsford Bridge
kW ate
Oa
oar
45
N
Watersmeet
T Telephone
Toilets
Food
Church
Picnic site
Route Exmoor Challenge Statistics: Distance: 12.6 miles Height lost/gained: 660m Highest Point: 405m Lowest Point: 142m
Woodland
Hill, pointing downhill
River
Route
Exmoor Challenge
Route Map
0.0 miles
100m
200m
300m
400m
1.0 miles
2.0 miles
3.0 miles
4.0 miles
5.0 miles
6.0 miles
7.0 miles
8.0 miles
9.0 miles
10.0 miles
11.0 miles
12.0 miles
Always go straight on unless otherwise directed
Notes for Exmoor Challenge
Route Profile
46
Map of interlinking routes Ilfracombe
1 3
2
Part 1
Braunton
4
Barnstaple
5
Bideford
6 Bradworthy
Great Torrington
8 Kilkhampton
9
North
Holsworthy
11
7
10
Part 2 Devon
All routes are covered by Ordnance Survey Landranger maps 180 & 190
A collection of circular cycle rides, suitable for hybrid and road bikes, with some off-road riding on some routes. The rides are based around the Tarka Trail and interlink with the neighbouring rides. The Exmoor Challenge needs a mountain bike and the ability to ride off-road over rough terrain. Published and written by Combe Walks Copyright Š Bryan Cath, 2012 www.combewalks.com