Buckfastleigh is a region situated on the southern edge of Dartmoor National Park in Devon, England. This area features a diverse landscape, encompassing rugged moorland, serene river valleys, and rolling countryside. Its geography, often referred to as the "Gateway to Dartmoor," provides varied terrain suitable for several outdoor activities. The region's natural features, including granite tors and ancient woodlands, contribute to its appeal for outdoor enthusiasts.
Buckfastleigh offers more than 50 routes across several sports…
71
Routes
4.2
(99)
Average rating
823
People visited

4.5
(21)
57
hikers
3.74km
01:07
110m
110m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(7)
63
hikers
10.5km
02:54
180m
180m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.2
(6)
24
hikers
6.29km
01:45
110m
110m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.4
(5)
13
hikers
16.4km
04:37
330m
330m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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3.0
(1)
11
riders
81.5km
05:42
1,440m
1,430m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
13
riders
18.9km
01:17
310m
310m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
16
riders
11.9km
00:44
130m
130m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

12
riders
48.1km
03:26
940m
940m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.6
(5)
18
riders
22.3km
01:50
510m
510m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.5
(2)
9
riders
20.5km
01:41
480m
480m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.3
(4)
14
riders
20.8km
01:39
390m
390m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.4
(5)
5
riders
18.7km
01:27
350m
350m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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16
riders
42.1km
02:29
880m
880m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
17
riders
55.2km
03:16
1,200m
1,200m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
41
riders
53.7km
02:42
700m
700m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
34
riders
53.7km
03:10
1,070m
1,070m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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18
runners
9.15km
01:10
230m
230m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.

9
runners
13.2km
01:24
180m
180m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.5
(2)
8
runners
5.10km
00:33
90m
90m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Buckfastleigh offers a variety of outdoor activities, including road cycling, mountain biking, hiking, touring cycling, and jogging. The region provides diverse terrain, from rugged moorland to serene river valleys. More than 50 routes are available, with an average rating of 4.48 out of 5 stars from over 11,000 visitors.
Buckfastleigh offers several road cycling routes, catering to various skill levels. Cyclists can find challenging climbs across Dartmoor or more gentle rides along riverbanks. An example is the "Viewpoint at Hockmoor Head – Rafikis Café loop from Buckfastleigh," which is 11.6 miles (18.7 km) long. For more options, refer to the Road Cycling Routes around Buckfastleigh guide.
Buckfastleigh provides access to numerous hiking trails within Dartmoor National Park and surrounding areas. Hembury Woods features trails like the "Hembury Woods loop to Hembury Castle," an easy 2.3-mile (3.7 km) route. The "Buckfast Abbey – Viewpoint at Hockmoor Head loop from Buckfastleigh" is a 3.9-mile (6.3 km) path offering views of the abbey. More hiking options are detailed in the Hiking around Buckfastleigh guide.
Mountain bikers can find tracks at the River Dart Country Park. Dartmoor National Park also provides numerous cycling tracks suitable for mountain biking. For a comprehensive list of routes, consult the MTB Trails around Buckfastleigh guide.
A notable touring route is "The Dartmoor Way & the High Moorland Link from Buckfastleigh," a challenging 50.7-mile (81.6 km) trail exploring Dartmoor National Park. Another option is the "Rafikis Café – St Andrew's Church, Ashburton loop from Buckfastleigh," which is 7.4 miles (11.9 km). Further routes are available in the Cycling around Buckfastleigh guide.
Yes, Buckfastleigh offers easy hiking options suitable for various abilities. The "Hembury Woods loop to Hembury Castle" is an easy 2.3-mile (3.7 km) route through ancient woodlands. A shorter, tranquil walk is the 1.7-mile (2.7 km) "Hiking loop from Buckfast Abbey." Additional easy routes can be found in the Easy hikes around Buckfastleigh guide.
Buckfastleigh is known as the "Gateway to Dartmoor," featuring rugged moorland and iconic granite tors like Haytor Rocks, Rippon Tor, and Combestone Tor. The River Dart flows through the area, offering serene riverside paths. Ancient woodlands such as Hembury Woods and Holne Woods are also present, along with Canonteign Falls within Dartmoor National Park.
Key attractions include Buckfast Abbey, a working Benedictine monastery with tranquil grounds. The South Devon Railway provides a heritage steam journey through the Dart Valley. Other points of interest are the Buckfastleigh Butterfly Farm and Otter Sanctuary, and the family-friendly River Dart Country Park.
Buckfastleigh is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 11,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The region's routes have an average rating of 4.48 out of 5 stars. There are over 50 routes available across various sports.
Komoot offers several guides for Buckfastleigh, covering various sports. These include Road Cycling Routes around Buckfastleigh, MTB Trails around Buckfastleigh, Hiking around Buckfastleigh, and Running Trails around Buckfastleigh.
The official website for Buckfastleigh Town Council is buckfastleigh.gov.uk. This resource provides information regarding local services and community details for the area.
Buckfastleigh Town Council can be contacted by phone. The Town Council Office number is 01364 642576. For Town Hall enquiries, the number is 01364 388017.

