Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton cycle route overall rating:
(Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of)
The Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton cycle route runs for 5.6 miles, from Exmouth train station to Budleigh Salterton, mostly along a disused railway line. There is a short on-road section early on in Exmouth, along a 20mph residential road, and from the outskirts of the village of Budleigh Salterton, the route follows (normally) quiet roads to the beach. Within Exmouth, after Phear Park, there are a few short stints on roads, too, before you join the old railway.
The old railway has a tar surface that’s rather good, and you will be cycling through tranquil woodlands.
When cycling with especially young children, consider simply staying on the old railway line.
Surface on the Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton cycle route
The surface is almost entirely tarred, but in some places it can be a bit bumpy.
Refreshments
There are quite a number of places near the start to get refreshments, many of which can be reached traffic-free.
There’s the Bumble & Tee café in Phear Park, but nothing further until you’re in Budleigh Salterton, where there are several choices.
Bikes
You can use any type of bicycle along this route, including cargo bikes, trikes and tandems.
Toilets
There are public toilets near the start, in Phear Park, and again in Budleigh Salterton.
Hilliness
The route has a steady incline almost from the start, though the gradients aren’t very steep at all.
Safety from traffic
The route is almost entirely traffic-free, though there are several road crossings.
Ratings
Points of Interest
You will love the Budleigh Salterton beach.
Routes in Devon
- Tarka Trail – Barnstaple to Braunton
- Tarka Trail – Ilfracombe to Willingcott
- Dart Valley Cycleway
- Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton
- The Exe Estuary cycle route to Exmouth
- Nun’s Cross Trail cycle route
- Princetown Railway traffic-free cycle route
- Saltram Loop traffic-free cycle route
- DayCycle – Tarka Trail
- Family-friendly Cycling On The Granite Way
- DayCycle – A Redlake adventure
- DayCycle – Grand Western Canal
- DayCycle – Stover Trail & Wray Valley Trail
- DayCycle – Dawlish to Exeter St Davids
- Family-friendly Cycling on Drake’s Trail
Barriers
There are no barriers along the route, but there is a single wooden gate at the Budleigh Salterton end of the old railway. People who cannot dismount may struggle with that gate.
Cycle Hire
You can hire bikes at Exmouth Cycle Hire, though that’s right by the train station.
Child friendliness
This route can be suitable for reasonably kids, provided they’re well-supervised towards the start and finish.
Social safety
Parts of this route can be very isolated, especially when it’s not the high season.
Weather forecast for the Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton cycle route
Video of the route
Getting to the Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton cycle route
The route as shown on the map below starts at Exmouth train station, so you can easily get to the start car-free, by taking your bike on the train. As ever, read my Bikes On Trains guide for useful and helpful tips for taking your bike on the train.
You can also combine this route with my Dawlish to Exeter route, and my Exe Estuary route.
Parking near the Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton cycle route
There is public parking next to the Exmouth train station, but during the summer that can rapidly fill up. If driving to the start, consider parking near the Bidmead Community Centre, which is right by the start to the old railway line.
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).
Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton cycle route interactive map
You can download the GPX file from the map below, simply by clicking the GPX button. Hovering over the elevation profile will show the elevation for that point along the route, in both metres and feet. It will also show the gradient.
And finally…
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