The route takes around two and a half hours to complete - allowing time to enjoy a fantastic breakfast at Sandy Cove, before setting off.
With 90% of the route on asphalt, many areas traffic-free and flat, and the option to stop off along the way, this experience is less daunting than it sounds. Pack your waterproofs, grab your bike, and follow the little red signs of the cycle route. As your reward for travelling the coast-to-coast cycle ride, you will enjoy beaches and estuaries, green valleys and winding rivers, and the vibrant wildlife that will line your path.
Let’s take you on a tour of National Cycle Network Route 27 and what you might enjoy.
Starting at Ilfracombe
From Ilfracombe, you journey along a dedicated path through Braunton, and tackle what will be one of the more challenging hill climbs on the route. The reward for your endeavours is the views over the northern Devon coastline with spectacular cliffs. On a bright day, with blue skies and the expanses of sea, you will be forgiven for believing you are abroad.
The Tarka Trail
Welcome to the Tarka Trail, 30 miles of redeveloped disused railway line and one of the country’s most loved family cycle paths. It is named after Tarka the Otter and reflects that the trail hugs the riverbank for much of the way and the trail the fictional character took.
Torrington to Tavistock
Great Torrington is a wonderful place to stop and rest. You will love the view of the gently rolling hills of Devon and the facilities of a busy market town. It is a town with a torrid past, as the Battle of Torrington marked the end of the Royalist resistance in the West Country and was an essential landmark in our journey towards parliamentary democracy.
Moving along the Granite Way, a family-friendly section of cycle path along a former railway line, you will enjoy large sections without traffic. It is well worth looking for Brentor Church, which is perched on a rocky hill and backed by the atmospheric expanse of Dartmoor.
After a few miles on quiet roads through the heart of Devon, you will enter a section that weaves through wooded valleys, farmland and villages. Stopping off in Tavistock is a worthy break in the journey with many refreshment opportunities. It is a busy town, but keenly aware of its love of visitors. You will be made welcome.
From Tavistock to Plymouth
You will cycle along the Drake’s Trail, named after Sir Francis Drake, which has recently been developed as an entirely traffic-free stretch of the National Cycle Route. This section is where you can make significant progress in good time with only gentle gradients.
A stand-out experience is the Gem Bridge, a spectacular 200-foot viaduct spanning the Walkham Valley. Ride confidently and enjoy the view; stop for a breathtaking photograph if you are brave. You are in the extraordinary landscape of Dartmoor National Park.
The final stretch to Plymouth
The route ends at the seafront and offers views of the English Channel, where you can take the opportunity to stop for a well-deserved break and appreciate this maritime city and its naval history.
Your journey along the Drake’s Trail is a gentle finish to your journey, and you can travel past the National Marine Aquarium and the Tinside Lido, a seawater pool. Equally, you could jump off and explore these fantastic attractions. The Lido’s art deco design is worth seeing, even if you don’t swim.
An experience more than a journey
When you stop, you will reflect that you have done more than a bike ride. You have journeyed through the soul of Devon, experiencing its raw wilderness and tranquil moments.
Sandy Cove Hotel is the perfect base for your coast-to-coast cycle ride. On your return you may choose to unwind by the pool, dine in one of our award-winning restaurants or simply enjoy a drink on the terrace. We promise a warm welcome and a much-needed comfortable seat to rest your weary legs!
