Exe Estuary cycle route overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐
The Exe Estuary trail is stunning, and mostly traffic-free, with some on-road sections. This 13-mile, mostly traffic-free cycle route is on the northern side of the estuary, leading to Exmouth.
Especially in summer this route can get very busy, so if you’re planning on cycling it, you may want to set off quite early. When cycling with especially younger kids, I suggest you take the train from Exeter St David’s station to Topsham station, as doing so will cut out the busier on-road sections.
There is a regular branch line train service to Exmouth, which takes bicycles. This means you could cycle to Exmouth and get the train back. Just be aware that bicycle reservations are not possible on the train, and that bike spaces are limited, and are awarded on a first-come, first served basis.
Some of the route is on-road, and some of it is along a shared pavement on the fast and busy Exeter Road in Topsham. On that stretch, the cycle path has priority over several side roads but you must be careful along there, as far too many drivers simply don’t care about that.
Surface on the Exe Estuary cycle route
The surface is good throughout, and is mostly reasonably smooth tar. There’s a section along a raised boardwalk, too.
Refreshments
You have plenty of options for refreshment stops along the route. Pretty much everywhere listed as having toilets (further below) also offer refreshments.
Bikes
Any type of bicycle can be used along this route, however, trikes and cargo bikes will struggle in several places.
Toilets
There are toilets available at Exeter St David’s train station, various places in Exeter Quay, at Saddles & Paddles, at Double Locks, at various pubs in Topsham, at the Puffing Billy Inn, at Exmouth train station, and in various other locations in Exmouth.
Ratings
Safety: ⭐⭐
Hilliness: ⭐⭐⭐
Refreshment stops: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Barriers: ⭐⭐⭐
Surface: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐
Points of Interest
The best feature of this route is the stunning Exmouth beach, but the route itself is stunning.
You will cycle past the Exeter Quay area, with plenty of cafés, and along the serene Exeter canal for a while.
Exeter itself is a vibrant city that has ruins dating back to the Roman era, with remains of the original city walls still standing.
Routes in
- Dart Valley Cycleway
- DayCycle – Drake’s Trail
- DayCycle – Tarka Trail
- DayCycle – A Redlake adventure
- DayCycle – Dawlish to Exeter St Davids
- DayCycle – Grand Western Canal – a stunning, flat & traffic-free 15 mile route
- DayCycle – Stover Trail & Wray Valley Trail
- Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton
- Nun’s Cross Trail cycle route
- Princetown Railway traffic-free cycle route
- Saltram Loop traffic-free cycle route
- The Exe Estuary cycle route to Exmouth
- The Granite Way
Barriers
There are some chicane barriers and at least one spring-loaded gate along this route. Additionally, the bridge over the canal, where the canal joins the river Exe, is very narrow, and will probably prevent most trikes and many cargo bikes from getting through. Also, at Exe Bridges there are very sharp turns that trikes, cargo bikes and tandems may struggle with.
Cycle Hire
You can hire bicycles from Saddles & Paddles (Exeter Quay and Exeter Canal), at Route 2 Bikes in Topsham, and at Exmouth Cycles.
Paying the rent
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Forecast for the Exe Estuary Trail
What the Exe Estuary cycle route looks like
Getting to the Exe Estuary cycle route
The best way to get to the Exe Estuary cycle route is by train. The route on the map starts at Exeter St David’s train station, though if you’re cycling with especially younger children, consider getting a train to Topsham instead. As ever, read my Bikes On Trains guide for useful and helpful tips for taking your bike on the train.
If driving there, there are various places in Exeter you can park close to the route. There’s a sizeable car park near Saddles & Paddles, too.
More Routes
To find more routes, click this link.
DayCycle
DayCycle routes are routes that can can easily be cycled by most people in a day, or part of a day. Do have a look at all the other DayCycle routes available on WillCycle. Many contain detailed route guides, as well as embedded maps (like the one below).