The best traffic-free bike rides around Lydford

There are 11 dedicated traffic-free road cycling routes around Lydford, offering a variety of distances and difficulty levels for road cyclists.

The routes around Lydford cater to various fitness levels. You'll find 1 easy route, 8 moderate routes, and 2 more challenging options, ensuring there's something for everyone.

Yes, Lydford offers family-friendly options, particularly the easy routes. The 11-mile Granite Way, which is part of the National Cycle Network's 'Devon Coast to Coast' Route 27, is largely flat and well-paved, making it ideal for families. It provides spectacular views of the Devon countryside and Dartmoor's granite landscape. For more information on the Granite Way, you can visit visitdartmoor.co.uk.

The routes offer a diverse range of landscapes, from expansive open moorland with rugged granite tors like Yes Tor summit and High Willhays summit within Dartmoor National Park, to picturesque river gorges and ancient woodlands. Many routes also feature spectacular views of the Devon countryside.

You can encounter several interesting landmarks. The Meldon Viaduct is a prominent feature on several routes, offering wonderful views of Meldon Dam. Other historical sites include the Abbey Bridge and Weir, and the historic Postbridge Clapper Bridge. The area is also known for its dramatic natural features like Lydford Gorge and the Whitelady Waterfall.

Yes, many of the routes are circular, starting and ending in Lydford. An example is the 'Meldon Viaduct – Dartmoor National Park loop from Lydford', which covers 53.19 km with significant elevation, offering a comprehensive tour of the area. Another option is the 'St Petroc's Church, Lydford – Lydford Castle and Saxon Town loop from Lydford', a 26.34 km route exploring local history.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.4 stars from 26 ratings. Reviewers often praise the stunning views of Dartmoor, the quiet roads, and the variety of terrain that caters to different fitness levels, especially the traffic-free sections like the Granite Way.

While Lydford itself is a village, public transport options to the immediate area might be limited. However, the Granite Way, a key traffic-free cycling path, can be accessed from Okehampton, which has better public transport links. Cycle hire facilities are also available, particularly at the Okehampton end of the Granite Way.

Yes, the spectacular Meldon Viaduct is a highlight on several routes. For instance, the 'Meldon Viaduct – Meldon Viaduct loop from Lydford' is a 32.32 km moderate route that prominently features this landmark and offers wonderful views of Meldon Dam.

A great moderate option is the 'Dartmoor National Park – Lake Viaduct loop from Lydford'. This 45.75 km route takes you through parts of Dartmoor, offering scenic views and a good workout with over 700 meters of elevation gain.

Yes, several routes incorporate historical elements. The 'Abbey Bridge and Weir – St Michael's Church, Brent Tor loop from Lydford' is a 44.61 km route that takes you past significant local landmarks, including the impressive Abbey Bridge and Weir and the iconic St Michael's Church on Brent Tor.