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We're off down to Dartmoor on Friday for a long weekend and it's only our second time down that way so would really appreciate some advice on a couple of routes to do whilst we're there. Ideally around 30km and nothing too super gnarly. Just looking for some fun trails to give us a good taste of what Dartmoor has to offer. We've got the O.S map but no gps so unfortunately can't use gps files (if that's what you call them!) we're camping too so campsite recommendations would also be really useful.
Any help would be much appreciated!
STW had a 'Classic Dartmoor ride' in issue 88. 25 miles but scope to shortcut it..
Yep, I've got that issue and the route here. Is it a good one to do?
I'd say the #88 is a good route, but it's pretty tough i'd say if you're not keen mtbers! The "High moor" part is also a bit dull (or worse) on a bad weather day, but the parts around Manaton/Water/ Lustley Cleave are terrific, although quite technical riding!
I'd aim to start it, and have a few "get" out loops back to the start if you need them 😉
(also, beware, one of the routes shown on the high moor section does not actually currently exist on the ground, and might involve a hike-a-bike, depending in how good you are at cycling through gorse/bracken!)
That doesn't quite as inspiring as i'd hoped! We've got a copy of the South West Mountain biking book by vertebrate so could use a route out of there? Our local trails are on Exmoor so we're used to a bit of hike a bike and getting lost in gorse and are really keen mtbers, but because we only have two days are just keen to see some of the best bits.
If you want something more gentle to start with there are a few good runs down from Princetown to Burrator Reservoir and then loop round and back up, should be easily navigable if you have OS maps.
EDIT - just seen your last post, there is a reasonably easy (red graded) Princetown to Burrator loop of about 20k in that book (ride No 4. I think?), along with many others, that one has a nice descent to the reservoir and then a bit of a moorland meander back up through the old mines, nice in good weather, flippin awful in fog and 40mph winds 🙁
The Hound Tor/Water/Manaton/Hunters Tor/Lustliegh area is very very good, but the riding can be quite technical and challenging, depending on what you're used to of course! There's a lot of sharp climbs in that area so can end up as quite a hilly ride (~2000ft per 10miles), but is worth it for the rocky descents 🙂
This is the first half of the #88 route, with a little bit of cheeky thrown in.
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It's a fab route, but you need to be confident climbing and descending on narrow, rocky paths, otherwise you will spend quite a bit of time walking.....
😉
Hi Kate,
This
[url= http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=oiyjhrpciejsihtz ]Burrator Loop[/url]
is a pretty fun, not massively technical loop with great views.
There is loads of gpx's of others on the [url= http://www.gpsies.com/ ]Gpsies website [/url]
These are great thanks! I think the first half of #88 route on Saturday and Burrator on Sunday looks like the plan.
Thanks again for your help!
KateD
I would also recommend the Burrator loop. Its no where near the tech fest or as exiting as some of the other routes in the South but I really think it shows off the high moor well.
We normally add the hidden valley and the widow maker to that basic route.
The widow maker is the bridleway on eviljoe's map that lead down (up)to the reservoir where its typed "Ivybridge lane" on the way back to Princetown.
Plume of feathers in Princetown will do you a nice post ride luncheon.
I have a Princetown/Burrator loop on a word doc which is a fun ride including the Widowmaker & another superb descent drop me an email (addy in profile) if you want me to send it to you.
Weather is looking soooo good for the weekend Dartmoor should be dry & fast 🙂