We use cookies, just to track visits to our website, we store no personal details. Close

 

2 mile marker indicates every 2 miles

Plym Valley Cycle Track Cycle Route



England > Devon > Plymouth
Print this routePrint   Download this cycle route in GPX FormatGPX
Cycle Route Details
Route NamePlym Valley Cycle Track
Distance : miles (km)10  (16.09)
Duration(hh:mm)01:20
Difficulty
Posted Byhappy
Calories Burned kcal
(login and provide your weight for more accurate calories burned)
Cycle Route Location
CountryEngland
Town/CityPlymouth
County/RegionDevon
Start LocationEast of Skylark Inn
End LocationHooe Lake
Cycle Steps
This is part of the national cycle network routes, number 27 and is part of a much bigger trail from Devon Coast to coast spanning a total of 97 miles. It is a nice gentle route for most of the way as it follows a disused railway line.
Starting in Clearbrook at the Skylark Inn, head east keeping your eyes peeled to the right for the start of the track south. As this is a National cycle network route, the start should be clearly marked with signposts along the way.
Plym Valley Cycle Track image 3 Enter the path and start cycling south. Just before the path arrives at Shaugh Bridge you should pass Leebeer Tunnel.
You will now pass Shaugh Bridge platform. You can see from the cycle path that it is not ideally suited for roadies, and hence mountain bikers and families should probably attempt this only.
Continue cycling south sticking to the path, passing Bickleigh Bridge you will cross over a the Bickleigh and Riverford viaduct bridges. Also maybe worth investigating for the mountain bikers is Bickleigh forest.
At this stage in the cycle you are now getting closer to the city. As you arrive in the industrial estate, cross underneath Plymouth Road and then double back on yourself to the right and follow the track round and under the railway. This is the safest way to avoid the main road crossings.
Once you have passed the railway continue south along the path passing what used to be part of the Can Quarry and also on your left is a China Clay Drying plant. You will soon arrive in another industrial estate just at Pomphey.
Landmarks/Pubs for lunch/Sites to see?
There are plenty of historic landmarks to see along the way. As this was an old disused railway, there are plenty of viaducts including the Cann Viaduct which was not mentioned above. There is also Cann Wood, Bickleigh Forest and Dewerstone Woods.

Near By Cycle Shops
Plymouth Halfords
Your comments?
posted by:Maggie ThompsonRating : difficult :
From Plymouth to Clearbrook - gentle gradient on good tarmac surface. Quiet woodland scenery opening out near top end of route. A delight.

posted by:MarkRating : difficult :
My first cycle ride of any distance in 25 years and I'm not particularly fit, yet I managed to get all the way to Clearbrook and back. I joined the trail at Plympton (Coypool), having cycled in from the city centre along the embankment.

It's a little tricky to spot where to take the shortcut under Marsh Mills. Don't cross the railway bridge towards Saltram House. Instead, turn left from the track across the dirt patch and find a small path to the north-east. This takes you round the back of the (speedway?) track and brings you out by a level crossing, where you can cut under the main road. Follow the road under then cross the next level crossing and bear round to the right. The entrance to the trail is marked.

When you reach the car park/entrance to Plymbridge Woods, look for a zig zag slope which takes you up into the cycle track.

The track is a gentle slope and I didn't find it too arduous for most of the way.

I stopped at the viewing station on Cann Viaduct to look at the peregrine falcons nesting. Fantastic!

I advise you to take at least a front light, as although Shaugh Tunnel has lights on during the day, it's still dark and other cyclists may not see you.

The only bit I struggled with was the last stretch to Clearbrook, where the tarmac gives way to chippings and makes it pretty tough going for a noob. At the end of that, you will have to climb a short but steep stony moorland path, which leads to a farm road. Turn left and this brings you into Clearbrook.

Sit down and enjoy your lunch!

As it's all uphill on the way, the reward is the fantastic ride back down again. I can thoroughly recommend this route.

posted by:AaronRating : difficult :
I rode from Coypool to Clearbrook this morning. It's a great ride and I really did enjoy it. But once I got to Clearbrook I wanted to continue, but was not sure if I could or where to head. Does any one know if there is a safe route from Clearbrook that would bring you out near or at Burrator Reservoir? When I got back to the car that was parked at B&Q Coypool I decided to take the short ride from there around Saltram House and back before returning home.

I do recommend this route.

posted by:AmyRating : difficult :
I decided to do this route, as it was described as flat.

I haven't been on a bike for about 8 years and was very worried about my ability to even complete this route, especially since I had my toddler on the back. I needn't have worried.

I am an overweight, extremely unfit woman and the stretch from Clearbrook to Marsh Mills was just a joy to cycle. I would absolutely recommend this route, even if you think you are very unfit.

The only bit that was a bit hardcore was the start up at Clearbrook. There is a hill that you have to ascend to start and then a deep descent. It is shale, and you have next to no grip to brake. There is a sign telling you to dismount and I would recommend that you do (particularly if you have kids on the back!). After that it was plain sailing.

Me and my son saw lots of wildlife, including a buzzard - fantastic. Oh and there is an old tunnel to go through which my little boy thought was brilliant (although it is very dark! Maybe a front light would be a good idea!)

Enjoy this ride!

posted by:Jane RichardsonRating : difficult :
This route was my first for over ten years, it was just fab, did it with my friend, easy to cycle and chat at same time, lovely views, the hill leading to colebrook was a bit testing on the legs, but the half lager at the skylark made of for up. Was so much easy, quicker on the way back. was a real joy to do would recommend this for every ability.

posted by:pink.babe.2011Rating : difficult :
i did this cycle route yesterday evening from Peverell. We went up through Crown hill and down Inbankment road and joined it at Coypool and went to Clearbrook and back to Peverell its around 22 miles and took about 3 hours it was a really nice ride x

posted by:Gav and JemRating : difficult :
We take this route regularly but start at The Ride and go through Saltram to Coypool, then up to Clearbrook, lately though we've been continuing further up to Yelverton and having a cuppa at the rock Inn. Both of us are not the fittest (or the slimmest) of people but we manage the trail pretty easily, We can recommend this trail highly, and there are a few places to pause for a drink/have a rest along the way. It gives us a good sense of achievement and challenges us enough to keep us interested in riding.


posted by:AliceRating : difficult :
A great ride, most suited to a mountain bike however. Always very popular along the Plym Valley trail. Quite easy going on the way to Clearbrook with some fab views. Been considering going as far as Yelverton too.
Pass over 4 viaducts before entering Shaugh Tunnel, where I would recommend a light as it is quite dark even with the lighting in there. Last stretch from Shaugh Tunnel to Clearbrook is harder going but it's worth it in the end. Went from Laira Bridge to Clearbrook and back in 3 hours so not a considerably long time. Great fun

posted by:trevorRating : difficult :
Had a great ride up from Laira Bridge to Yelverton via Clearbrook. Good pub at Yelverton, the Rock Inn.
Easy gentle climb most of the way up with a couple of short steep bits on rough track near Clearbrook. The open section between Clearbrook and Yelverton gives you great moorland vistas and a few ponies to avoid in the road.
Coming down is a dream although the short granite chipped path section numbs your hands and rearend but it does not last long.
Plenty of birdlife. Peregrines, kestrels, ravens and dippers make it a special day even though I have seen a few in my previous 69 years.




posted by:linRating : difficult :
easy ride, peaceful with lots of wildlife, a steady incline with bridges and a long tunnel, this is one of my favorites, i also went on the mountain bike track through the woods, great ride, normally ride to yelverton, have lunch (great cafe there) then all downhill on the way back BLISS !!

posted by:JoshRating : difficult :
It was a great ride for me and my friend, we are keen cyclists but haven't been on the bike for about 4 months. This is a great track and we both ended up riding all the way to Tavistock!

I would highly recommend this route and if you do enjoy the sharp, steep hills then ride all the wat to Plymouth road and back, a very nice day out for two 18 year olds!

posted by:NeilRating : difficult :
when I download the GPX and then try to import it into any of my track or GPS programmes it fails for various errors (depending on programme) so I opened it using a conversion tool (TCX convertor) and realise what the error is, this GPX file is empty!!

If anyone has managed to resolve this, please email me and let me know?


Go Back


ADVERTISEMENT

Announcement

Find the latest cycle gear and who sells them within the UK. Share the experience you have with a product with others to help them make an informed choice.