11miles/
18kms

The Granite Way

About this route

The Granite Way is an 11-mile cycle and walkway running between Okehampton and Lydford along the north western edge of Dartmoor. It is mostly traffic free, largely following the course of the former Southern Region railway line. A journey along the Granite Way offers good views of the granite landscape of Dartmoor, as well as a number of specific sites of geological interest.

 

Getting Around

Okehampton – there are regular bus services from Exeter, Plymouth and Barnstaple. A limited train runs to Okehampton from Exeter on summer Sundays. Visit the Travel Devon website for the latest times.

By road: follow signs from the A30 to Okehampton Station along the B3260.

By bike: the site is part of the NCN Route 27, Devon Coast to Coast.

Lydford – a regular bus service operates between Plymouth and Barnstaple, see the Travel Devon website.

By road: via the Dartmoor Inn on the A386, follow signs to Lydford and Lydford Gorge.

Facilities
Okehampton (all facilities) and Lydford (refreshments), Meldon Viaduct (visitor centre and café).
Terrain
Largely asphalt surfaces. Some rougher paths away from the main route.
Accessibility

Interesting information

Meldon Quarry is close to Okehampton. This large working site, mostly hidden in the landscape, produces hard rock such as hornfels. This is used in a variety of ways, but in particular it has provided the aggregates for road building and rail ballast since 1895.

Further south is the impressive silhouette of Sourton Tors (reached by a footpath north of Sourton). Unlike most of Dartmoor’s tors they are not made of granite. Instead, they also consist of hornfels that, as at Meldon, were created when hot granite intruded into the original rocks of this area. The actual point of contact between these rocks with the granite is approximately a kilometre further south-east. As you look out onto Dartmoor, you will see an area which was once a plateau and you can observe how, over millions of years, rivers have cut through the rock creating distinctive valleys.

At the southern end of the trail is the famous Lydford Gorge.

Photo of cyclists on a trail under a viaduct on the Granite Way
Granite Way

You can explore more in this area

Photo of Gem Bridge across a valley and river on the Drakes Trail
21miles/
34kms

Drake’s Trail

Drake’s Trail in West Devon is a 21-mile, multi-use route linking Tavistock with Plymouth. This important part of Devon’s recreational
Photo of Cann Viaduct from below
10miles/
16.1kms

Drakes Trail – Plymbridge Woods

Drake’s Trail in West Devon is a 21-mile, multi-use route linking Tavistock with Plymouth. This important part of Devon’s recreational
Photo of a tow path and canal with bridge
3miles/
5kms

Drakes Trail – Tavistock to Crowndale

This route, originally built by a special needs group to meet the requirements for the whole family, now forms part of
Photo of Whitelady waterfall at Lydford Gorge

Lydford Gorge

Lydford Gorge is 1.5 miles long and includes the spectacular 90 ft high White Lady waterfall and the exciting Devil’s
Photo of a quiet lane entering a tunnel on Drake's Trail
37miles/
59kms

West Devon Way

The West Devon Way is a 37-mile walking trail linking Okehampton with Plymouth via Tavistock. This important part of Devon’s recreational
Photo of a quite lane crossing Stowford Bridge on the Two Castles Trail
24miles/
38kms

Two Castles Trail

The Two Castles Trail takes you through beautiful and peaceful countryside – from the edge of Dartmoor, past historic battlegrounds
Photo of Whitelady waterfall at Lydford Gorge
3miles

Lydford Gorge

The impressive Lydford Gorge has a depth of 35 meters, is almost 2km long and is of considerable importance for
Photo of foxgloves in front of an old stone wall with the viaduct in the background at Meldon
5miles/
8kms

A Victorian landscape walk

Meldon Viaduct, to the west of Okehampton, is a superb example of Victorian engineering. Now a significant landscape feature, it