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AboutCycling holidays in the Tamar Valley
Cycling is a great way to explore the quiet rural roads and offroad tracks of the Tamar valley. There are plenty of interesting stops (and excellent pubs and cafes) along the way.
The valley is steep in places, and neither Devon nor Cornwall is known for flat, easy cycling, but as long as your bike and you are both up to tackling the odd steep incline, it's a great place to come for a holiday with your bike. If you'd rather hire a bicycle, cycle hire is available in Tavistock, at Sourton Down near Okehampton, and next to Tree Surfers by the Tamar trails near Gunnislake.
The newly created Tamar Valley Trails over the river from Gunnislake are well worth exploring. This 25 Km network of off road multi-use pathways is a great way to explore the quiet woodlands of the middle Tamar and admire the dramatic cliffs and heather hills at your own pace, without having to worry about traffic.
The Tamar trails offer routes suitable for fairly novice riders but offer some moments of excitement that more experienced riders will appreciate too. The trails wind through dark woodland, and through the heart of old mining country, strewn with old stone chimneys, mosscovered walls and purple heather - and occasionally dark openings into the heart of the hillside, from which the sound of falling water comes. Watch out for the arsenic spoilheaps! These are impressive bare sand dunes, very striking in appearance and they do make for some amazing views - but please do read the trail information and keep safely clear of them.
The Tamar trails are multi-use, so please look out for horse riders and walkers as you go, and ride considerately.
Further North, the Tamar loops close to the start of the Granite Way Cycle Trail, a level trail which runs from Lydford to Okehampton taking in some wonderful Dartmoor scenery on the way.
For those who enjoy a more exciting bike ride, the Tamar Valley is a centre for mountain biking - visit the Woodland Riders to find out more about their amazing downhill tracks, which follow some adrenaline-pumping routes down the steep valley sides.
The valley is steep in places, and neither Devon nor Cornwall is known for flat, easy cycling, but as long as your bike and you are both up to tackling the odd steep incline, it's a great place to come for a holiday with your bike. If you'd rather hire a bicycle, cycle hire is available in Tavistock, at Sourton Down near Okehampton, and next to Tree Surfers by the Tamar trails near Gunnislake.
The newly created Tamar Valley Trails over the river from Gunnislake are well worth exploring. This 25 Km network of off road multi-use pathways is a great way to explore the quiet woodlands of the middle Tamar and admire the dramatic cliffs and heather hills at your own pace, without having to worry about traffic.
The Tamar trails offer routes suitable for fairly novice riders but offer some moments of excitement that more experienced riders will appreciate too. The trails wind through dark woodland, and through the heart of old mining country, strewn with old stone chimneys, mosscovered walls and purple heather - and occasionally dark openings into the heart of the hillside, from which the sound of falling water comes. Watch out for the arsenic spoilheaps! These are impressive bare sand dunes, very striking in appearance and they do make for some amazing views - but please do read the trail information and keep safely clear of them.
The Tamar trails are multi-use, so please look out for horse riders and walkers as you go, and ride considerately.
Further North, the Tamar loops close to the start of the Granite Way Cycle Trail, a level trail which runs from Lydford to Okehampton taking in some wonderful Dartmoor scenery on the way.
For those who enjoy a more exciting bike ride, the Tamar Valley is a centre for mountain biking - visit the Woodland Riders to find out more about their amazing downhill tracks, which follow some adrenaline-pumping routes down the steep valley sides.
View B&Bs that welcome cyclists