You ready for a monster adventure? One that doesn’t require you to travel to exotic foreign locations? And has oodles of sights to see? You’re in luck, my friend! Cycling the South West Coast Path is just what you’re looking for!
Isn’t it a footpath?
Quite right. The stunning South West Coast Path is, for the vast majority of its 600 mile length, the domain of walkers. Along most of it, cycling isn’t permitted.
That raised some challenges, finding alternative routing options, while trying to stay as true to the actual South West Coast footpath as is reasonably possible. Please do everyone a favour and don’t try to cycle the parts of the footpath where cycling isn’t permitted. Yes, regardless of your awesome MTB skills. In fact, especially because of your awesome MTB skills, please avoid it?
So it’s a cycle route that mimics the South West Coast Path?
That’s exactly right! The actual South West Coast Path contains many thousands of steps, and long staircases in places. Even if you could cycle such obstacles, that’s not what this route is about. This route is NOT meant to be a display of supreme technical cycling prowess. Instead, it’s a designed as a leisure cycle touring route. And the very last thing the thousands of walkers on the footpath need is to have to jump out of the way of you on your bicycle.
My version of the route intersects with the real South West Coast Path regularly, but mostly deviates from it. You’ll be riding along lush rural lanes, though there are unavoidably some parts on busier roads. When you look at the map, you’ll understand why that is the case.
Introducing the South West Coast Cycle Path
Though it’s quite a mouthful, I call this route the South West Coast Cycle Path, to clearly differentiate from the footpath. From the outset, I will warn you that the coastline along the South West has precious few flat parts. This route relentlessly goes up and down. That makes it more challenging – even more so on a laden touring bike.
It also means it’s an excellent challenge – perhaps you can do it as a charity fundraiser? Just remember, you will often be exposed to winds coming straight off the Atlantic, or the English Channel.
Escape points
There are very few escape points along the route that don’t involve cars. The only train stations directly on, or near the route are Bridgwater, Barnstaple, Newquay, Hayle, St Ives, Penzance, Falmouth, St Austell, Par, Looe, Plymouth, Kingswear (Dartmouth), Paignton, Teignmouth, Dawlish, Dawlish Warren, Starcross, Exeter, Exton, Lympstone, Exmouth, Weymouth and Swanage . In between the stations on that list there are many hills, and most of those will be far from help.
Still not scared away?
Good! This route offers SO much to those who do take it on. You will be blessed with a massive variety of scenery, although (obviously) sea views are a main feature of the route.
When?
When will this route guide be available? I’m not committing to exact dates yet, but am hoping to have it ready for summer 2025! Keep a look-out for it – it’s going to be a whopper!