The best cycling routes around Sourton

Sourton offers a wide selection of touring cycling routes, with over 75 different options available. These routes cater to various skill levels, from easy rides to more challenging adventures across Dartmoor National Park.

The terrain around Sourton is diverse, featuring high, open moorland, distinctive granite tors, and river valleys. Many routes utilize disused railway lines, such as sections of the Granite Way, providing mostly surfaced and traffic-free paths. You'll also encounter undulating roads through the park's scenic landscapes, offering varied experiences for touring cyclists.

Yes, Sourton is an excellent base for family cycling. The Granite Way (National Cycle Network Route 27) is particularly suitable, as much of it runs along a disused railway line, making it mostly traffic-free and largely surfaced. This route offers an easy ride for novices and families, with options for bike hire, including tag-alongs, available at the Granite Way Cycle Hub in Okehampton.

Yes, many touring cycling routes around Sourton are circular. Examples include the Dartmoor National Park – Lake Viaduct loop from Sourton (15.2 km) and the Meldon Viaduct – Dartmoor National Park loop from West Devon (16.2 km). The broader Dartmoor Way is also a 90-mile circular on-road route encircling the national park.

Cycling routes around Sourton offer access to several impressive landmarks and viewpoints. You can experience the spectacular Meldon Viaduct, which provides superb views of the West Okement Valley and the high moors. Other notable features include the Yes Tor summit and High Willhays summit, offering panoramic vistas. The Lydford Gorge, with its stunning waterfall, is also accessible from routes like the Granite Way.

While specific dog-friendly cycling trails aren't explicitly designated, many public bridleways and disused railway lines within Dartmoor National Park, such as sections of the Granite Way, are generally suitable for cycling with well-behaved dogs on a lead. Always ensure your dog is under control, especially around livestock, and check local signage for any restrictions.

The best time for touring cycling in Sourton is generally from spring through autumn (April to October). During these months, the weather is typically milder and more predictable, with longer daylight hours. Summer offers the warmest conditions, but spring and autumn provide beautiful scenery with fewer crowds. Winter riding can be challenging due to colder temperatures, shorter days, and potentially wet or icy conditions on exposed moorland.

Parking is available at various points along the major cycling routes. For instance, the Granite Way has parking facilities, including near the Granite Way Cycle Hub in Okehampton. Other trailheads and villages around Sourton and within Dartmoor National Park often provide public parking options, though it's always advisable to check specific starting points for availability.

Yes, you'll find refreshment options along and near the cycling routes. The Pump and Pedal in Sourton is a popular stop, and tearooms are available at Lydford Gorge. Many towns and villages connected by the Dartmoor Way and other local loops offer pubs and cafes where cyclists can refuel and rest.

The touring cycling routes in Sourton are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.3 stars from over 180 reviews. Cyclists frequently praise the diverse landscapes, from open moorland to river valleys, and the well-maintained sections of disused railway lines like the Granite Way. The impressive viaducts and panoramic views are also often highlighted as favorite aspects of the experience.

Yes, Sourton is strategically located along significant long-distance cycling routes. It sits on the Devon Coast to Coast Route, a 102-mile premier cycling path stretching from Ilfracombe to Plymouth. Additionally, the Dartmoor Way, a 90-mile circular on-road route encircling Dartmoor National Park, links with the Devon Coast to Coast on Dartmoor's western side, offering extensive touring opportunities.

Sourton offers a range of difficulty levels for touring cyclists. You can find easy routes, often on surfaced, traffic-free paths like sections of the Granite Way. Moderate routes, such as the Dartmoor National Park – Lake Viaduct loop from Bridestowe (15.6 km), involve some elevation changes. For experienced cyclists, there are difficult routes like the Meldon Viaduct – Mosaic Otter Sculpture loop from Sourton (89.8 km), which features significant elevation gain across varied Dartmoor landscapes.