Widecombe Hill

The climb out of Widecombe-in-the-Moor heading north toward Chagford is one of Dartmoor's most punishing short efforts. Widecombe sits in a deep valley at around 245m, and the lanes climbing out in any direction are steep. The northern approach toward Natsworthy ramps sharply from the village to 14% on the initial exposed wall before levelling into a sustained 7-8% grind through open moorland. The entire road is single-track with passing places, meaning traffic is minimal — this is proper Dartmoor lane cycling. Widecombe village itself, famous from the folk song and annual fair, provides a natural café stop mid-ride at the village inn or the tea rooms on the green.