Destination Guide
Cycling in Devon & Dartmoor
England's cycling heartland. Dartmoor's savage moorland climbs, empty lanes, and a coastline that rivals anything in Europe.
Last updated: 16 Mar 2026
- Terrain
- Road, Climbing, Touring, Gravel
- Difficulty
- Easy — Expert
- Road Quality
- Mixed
- Cycling Culture
- Strong
- Traffic
- Low
Pro Cycling Connection
The South West has produced and trained a generation of British cycling talent. INEOS Grenadiers riders including Luke Rowe have trained extensively on Dartmoor lanes, and the region served as a key t...
Best Time to Cycle in Devon & Dartmoor
Devon cycling peaks from May through September when daylight is long, moorland roads are dry, and the full range of routes becomes reliably accessible. June and September are arguably the finest months: long days, moderate temperatures (17-22°C), and...
Temperature: 1°C (winter) to 24°C (summer)
Best Cycling Climbs in Devon & Dartmoor
Dunkery Beacon
6.3km · 410m · 6.5% · CAT2
The highest point in Somerset and Exmoor at 519m, Dunkery Beacon is reached via several approach roads from the north, with the ascent from Wheddon Cross via Dunkery Gate being the most commonly ridden cycling route. The approach from the A396 at Wheddon Cross begins immediately with 10-12% ramps before easing on the moorland flanks, then biting again in the exposed upper section where the road deteriorates to rough tarmac and the gradient reasserts at 13-15%. The summit itself is open moorland without a road — the cycling objective is the highest tarmac point on Dunkery Gate road, approximately 480m. Exmoor's moorland character is distinct from Dartmoor: the vegetation is denser, the lanes more enclosed in the valleys, and the views northward across Exmoor toward the Bristol Channel coast are exceptional. This climb sits technically on the Somerset side of the Devon-Exmoor border but is universally included in South West cycling itineraries and frequently combined with North Devon coastal routes.
Haytor Vale
4.8km · 270m · 5.6% · CAT3
The most recognisable climb on Dartmoor, ascending from the village of Haytor Vale toward the iconic granite tors that define the eastern moor skyline. The early ramps out of the village bite immediately at 8-10%, before the gradient eases to a more manageable 5-6% on the exposed upper section. The road surface is good quality tarmac throughout, and above 400m the view opens across the entire eastern moor — on clear days the English Channel is visible to the south. A regular training climb for local club riders and a consistent feature on sportive routes across the South West. The descent back toward Bovey Tracey on the northern side is fast and technical, requiring full attention on the tight lower switchbacks.
Porlock Hill
4.1km · 380m · 9.3% · CAT2
Legendary among British cyclists and notorious enough to have earned a place in cycling folklore. Porlock Hill on the Devon-Somerset border is one of the steepest public roads in England: the main A39 route averages 9.3% for 4.1km with the central section hitting a verified 25% gradient — one of the most extreme ramps on any tarmac road in the country. Vehicles regularly fail the climb in winter; cyclists have been conquering it since the earliest days of cycle touring. The toll road alternative (Porlock Toll Road) offers a rideable but still demanding variant at a more consistent 6-7%. The main road is the defining test: the section above the hairpin at Porlock Weir demands out-of-saddle efforts in the lowest gear available. Reaching the summit at Porlock Common delivers views across the Bristol Channel to South Wales on clear days.
Rundlestone to Princetown
5.6km · 285m · 5.1% · CAT3
The climb from Rundlestone crossroads up to Princetown — the highest town in England at 435m — follows the B3357 across the exposed western moor in conditions that can be dramatically different from the surrounding lowlands. The gradient is relentless rather than savage: a long, grinding 5% that eats into legs already tired from moorland miles. Princetown sits on the high plateau surrounded by open moorland on all sides, and the final kilometres are fully exposed to prevailing south-westerly winds — a strong headwind can turn this into a genuinely difficult effort. The climb rewards with a proper café stop at the Fox Tor Café in Princetown, a cyclist-friendly stop well used by touring and road cyclists traversing the moor. Dartmoor Prison looms overhead — an atmospheric backdrop that somehow suits the grimness of the upper moor.
Widecombe Hill
3.2km · 215m · 6.7% · CAT3
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.
Insider Tips
The B3212 between Moretonhampstead and Princetown is the closest Devon comes to a 'must-ride' road: 25km of open moorland crossing the high plateau past Postbridge and Two Bridges...
Dartmoor lanes require a different navigation approach than roads with consistent signage. Download a GPX route before leaving — mobile signal is absent across most of the high moo...
Moretonhampstead is the ideal moorland base for road cyclists: at 240m it sits on the eastern moor edge with direct access to Haytor, Widecombe, the B3212 traverse, and the descent...
The North Devon coast road between Combe Martin and Ilfracombe, and then west toward Croyde, delivers exceptional riding that most cyclists visiting Dartmoor never explore. The lan...
For the Porlock Hill ascent, recce the bottom of the main road before committing: if there is any surface water running across the tarmac from the hillside above (common after rain...
How to Get to Devon & Dartmoor for Cycling
Getting around: Car Recommended
A car is the most practical means of accessing Devon and Dartmoor's dispersed cycling terrain. The moor has no public transport serving the interior villages and farms that mark the start and end of t...