Here are quite a number of highly-detailed route guides for stunning, traffic-free cycle routes in Devon. Though Devon is a county renowned for its hills, many of these routes are surprisingly flat.
The list below are all the traffic-free cycling routes I published highly-detailed route guides for. My route guides rate a route for things like the surface, availability of refreshment stops, safety (especially for younger children) and more, so from the outset you have a clear idea what to expect.
More than that, my route guides give you a weather forecast, and interactive map (from where you can download a GPX of the route) and much more!
Even better, I have lots of other, similar route guides available for other counties, too, so you have no excuse not to go exploring!
- Dart Valley Cycleway
Dart Valley Cycleway cycle route overall rating: ⭐⭐ This 6.3 mile route is gorgeous, and will make a great day out, but is quite a mix. From the outset, you need to understand that the entire route isn’t traffic-free. Surface on the Dart Valley Cycleway Most of the route has a good tarred surface, but … Read more - Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton
Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton cycle route overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 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 … Read more - The Exe Estuary cycle route to Exmouth
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 … Read more - Nun’s Cross Trail cycle route
Nun’s Cross Trail cycle route overall rating: ⭐⭐ Nun’s Cross Trail runs from Norsworthy Bridge, Burrator to Princetown, 4.5 miles away. It is graded as a Red route, because there is a stretch where you’ll be riding uphill, over loose rocks, some of which are the size of bowling balls. This route can be combined … Read more - Princetown Railway traffic-free cycle route
Princetown Railway cycle route overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐ The Princetown Railway used to run from Plymouth to Princetown. The route that’s described here starts in Princetown and heads to Burrator Reservoir. It is possible to make it an almost entirely traffic-free loop by combining it with the Nun’s Cross Trail, from Burrator to Princetown. This is … Read more - Saltram Loop traffic-free cycle route
Saltram Loop Cycle Route Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ The Saltram Loop is a six mile, practically completely traffic-free circular route in Plymouth. It runs right through the Saltram Estate, using part of NCN 27, and is suitable for cycling with children (provided they can ride that distance). In places you will find it hard to believe … Read more - DayCycle – Tarka Trail
Cycling the Tarka Trail A 35 miles, the Tarka Trail is an almost entirely traffic-free cycling route that is flat for the most part. Suitable for families. The Tarka Trail is a long shared path in North Devon, England. It’s a great car-free way to explore the countryside and see some amazing scenery. This free … Read more - The Granite Way
Granite Way Cycle Route Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Granite Way is traffic-free shared path, built on the remains of a disused railway, and it’s simply gorgeous. Skirting the high moor, it runs for 9 miles, from Okehampton to Lydford, and forms part of the Devon Coast To Coast route. Built on the track bed of … Read more - DayCycle – A Redlake adventure
20 miles there and back, mostly gravel As ever, thank you for being one of the kind and supportive few people, who click the Donate button to the left, to buy me a coffee. I spend a lot of time, and incur considerable costs, making these guides, and it’s appreciated when people help offset … Read more - DayCycle – Grand Western Canal – a stunning, flat & traffic-free 15 mile route
At the very bottom, you will find a link to a PDF version of this article, so you can easily download and print the route guide, to take along with you. As ever, thank you for being one of the kind and supportive few people, who click the Donate button to the left, to buy … Read more - DayCycle – Stover Trail & Wray Valley Trail
Stover & Wray Valley Trails cycle route overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐ The Stover Trail links Newton Abbott with Bovey Tracey, mostly traffic-free, or on very quiet lanes. The Wray Valley Trail links Bovey Tracey with Moreton Hampstead, again either traffic-free, or on normally very quiet lanes. It therefore makes sense to do a single route guide … Read more - DayCycle – Dawlish to Exeter St Davids
Dawlish to Exeter cycle route overall rating: B3⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you’re looking for a stunning day out, this is the route for you. At 14 miles in length, it offers spectacular sea views, quaint waterside villages, and even canalside cycling. Overall, the route is very flat, but it does have a section that tops out at … Read more - DayCycle – Drake’s Trail
Drake’s Trail is a 20-mile long cycling (and walking) route, mostly on traffic-free disused railways, linking Plymouth with Tavistock, and incorporates the Plym Valley Trail. The entire route guide for Drake’s Trail is now available as a PDF, for you to easily download, print and take along on your ride Feel free to use this … Read more