109miles/
175kms

Cycle West Cycle West – Tour de Manche

About this route

The Tour de Manche offers a unique maritime perspective over 1200 km of varied landscapes either side of the English Channel. Two of the 16 sections are in Devon.

Going at your own pace you can discover natural locations of exceptional beauty and interest including Corfe Castle, Dorset and East Devon’s Jurassic Coast, Dartmoor National Park, the Pink Granite Coast and the Bay of Mont St-Michel.

This route also builds in part of the existing European cycle route EV4 along the French coast and can be ridden in ‘bite-sized’ pieces, or for the more serious cyclist, as a complete tour. Most of the Tour de Manche route is on quiet roads, and it has been carefully marked out.

Getting Around

Dorset border via Axminster, Exeter, Okehampton, Tavistock and Plymouth

Facilities

All facilities found in towns along route including Axminster, Exeter, Okehampton, Tavistock and Plymouth

Terrain

Intermediate to challenging

Accessibility

Interesting information

Plymouth to Okehampton 42 miles / 67km
To ride this section is to experience Devon’s huge variety of landscapes: from the urban expanse of Plymouth to the thick forestation of Plymbridge Woods and the stark beauty of Dartmoor. The route is mostly off-road and uses former railway lines, giving cyclists a thrilling ride through tunnels and across dramatic viaducts.

Okehampton to Axminster 63 miles / 101km
This section has something for everyone: verdant hills and pastures, a beautiful coastline designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, and city attractions. You’ll also ride through some of Devon’s most picturesque villages. At times physically demanding, this section rewards you with some outstanding scenery.

Although challenging in parts, with a selection of testing but rewarding climbs for keen cyclists, the Tour de Manche also offers sections of much easier riding that give you time to relax and enjoy beautiful scenery, culture and art of living in each country.

Photo of a cyclist looking out over the Exe Estuary at Turf Locks

You can explore more in this area

Cycling

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Photo of two cyclists on the Tarka Trail near Braunton — 102miles/
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Devon Coast to Coast NCN27

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South Coast NCN 2

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