OS Map
Directions & GPX etc
Route directions PDF (right click to download)
GPX file (right click to download)
TCX file (right click to download)
Glorious Bike Rides
Glorious Bike Rides
Route directions PDF (right click to download)
GPX file (right click to download)
TCX file (right click to download)
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Fantastic ride. We did this at the weekend and I have to say the directions were good – just be mindful of the glorious hedgerows sometimes covering signs! Definitely a moderate with a few lovely long inclines….but some fabulous freewheeling downhillies! This ride has everything you would want in a ride.
Three useful tips.
After rainfall parts of the route are affected by flooding and debris washed down unsurfaced tracks onto the road and roads blocked especially between Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton and around Hele.
The route off road around Kilerton Park is now discouraged by the Landowners with prohibited signs on the gate posts. Not much of a loss as the road alternative is better especially in anything but bone dry conditions.
The Exeter Inn at Thorverton is open all day, very very bike friendly and does great food, Highly recommended.
I really enjoyed this ride. Low to no traffic (except the last couple miles in Exeter), and very scenic. I stayed at a lovely B&B in Sidmouth – but the hills on that short detour from the route were substantial, giving me appreciation for the relative flatness of the actual route.
I suggest checking the ferry schedule in advance. I had to wait a couple hours for the Topsham ferry due to low tide. It was a pleasant stop at the nearby Turf pub but made for a late arrival at the B&B in the evening.
We rode this route in June 2022. Started from Ottery St Mary, as we were coming from the east, and followed route from there.
As per previous contributor, we took the road route around Killerton.
Topsham Ferry was not in service, and didn’t look as if it would be for some time. We carried on to the Starcross Ferry, which runs from April to October, hourly between Starcross and Exmouth. It does entail you having to lift your bike up and over the footbridge at Starcross railway station, down the steps to the ferry itself and then up to the man on the roof of the ferry who secures your bike.
Check the ferry times before you leave and allow about 45 minutes for the whole crossing process.
Otherwise, a pleasant route, well mapped and a good day out. Thank you Mr Thurston.
We did this ride on a very hot day in June 2023. Yes, we had to wait for the Topsham Ferry and a higher tide. Also, it’s more expensive, £2 per person and £1.50 per bike = £7 for us.
I didn’t check the ascent in the book, but looked at it on the downloaded GPX file, which is completely wrong, about half the correct amount which was 830m.
I have to say this was our least favourite Lost Lanes West ride so far. others have been quiet and especially traffic free. The first section from Exeter to Budleigh was busy with walkers, families and slow cyclists spread across the track.
Once we hit the country roads we were plagued by constant traffic. Having been delayed by the Topsham Ferry we hit Ottery around school run time. Most of the route is single track road, so we either had to stop to let oncoming traffic through, or had impatient drivers behind us revving their motors unless we pulled over and let them through.
After that we experienced a lot of commuters from 4pm onwards. A lot of the road route encompasses Exeter commuter belt, again the roads have blind bends, are narrow, so a lot of the ride was spoilt by oncoming traffic or impatient drivers behind us.
Fantastic ride, thanks Jack. Rode it today, May 2025,glorious sunshine, the gpx was spot on. Lovely easy off road sections along gentle gravel, fantastic boardwalk sections and excellent cycle paths. This part of the UK really does have great cycling infrastructure. Lots of good pubs en route. We did a ride yesterday to the Turf Lock pub, just off route, but recommended. Today we stopped at a few, but notably the Passage House Inn, at Topsham. There are a few miles around houses and through Exeter, but this is on a National Cycle Route 2, so is mostly off the road anyway, and the rest of the route is definitely worth it. It’s not a challenging ride, unless you count the distance as a challenge. Highly recommended.