7 Cycle Rides around North Devon & Exmoor Challenge

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