Top 7 Bike Parks in Dartmoor

Dartmoor offers a diverse range of mountain biking experiences, from dedicated bike parks with purpose-built features to extensive natural trails across open moorlands, granite tors, and ancient woodlands. You'll find facilities like Dartmoor Bike Park and Haldon Forest Park, alongside technical singletrack routes and cross-country trails within the National Park itself.

Yes, several options cater to beginners and families. Dartmoor Bike Park, located within River Dart Country Park, offers a 'progression pathway' with runs graded from blue to orange, making it suitable for developing skills. Haldon Forest Park also features the easy Discovery Trail and other routes for all ages and abilities. Bellever Forest provides gentler trails ideal for novice cyclists and families.

For experienced riders seeking a challenge, Dartmoor has several technical trails. The Burrator Bone Shaker Trail is known for its incredibly bumpy and rocky descent. The Nutcracker Trail is a startlingly rocky path that tests technical riding skills. Additionally, the Sheeps Tor Singletrack offers a surprisingly tricky ride with plenty of 'lumpy bits'.

Haldon Forest Park, situated near Exeter, is a popular destination with 3,500 acres of woodland. It boasts a comprehensive network of graded trails for all ages and abilities, from the easy Discovery Trail to the challenging black-grade Ridge Ride Extreme. It's known for its diverse and well-maintained trails, making it a great option for various skill levels.

Beyond dedicated bike parks, Dartmoor National Park offers extensive natural mountain biking. Bellever Forest provides a mix of forest tracks and technical singletrack. Other areas include Tavistock Woodlands, the Princetown and Burrator Loop, and the challenging Hound Tor, Hunter's Tor and the River Bovey Loop. The Granite Way offers a largely off-road path along a dismantled railway.

Dartmoor's weather can be unpredictable. While mountain biking is possible year-round, spring and autumn often offer pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds. Summer can be warm and dry, but also busy. Winter riding can be challenging due to slippery conditions and colder weather, especially on technical trails like the Nutcracker Trail.

Yes, The Dartmoor Way is an epic 95-mile loop that encircles Dartmoor. It can be completed in sections or as a multi-day trip, offering a diverse landscape of open moorland, country lanes, gorges, and rivers with challenging gradients.

Dartmoor offers a wide range of outdoor activities. You can explore various running trails, including routes around Haytor Rocks or Teign Gorge. There are also excellent options for gravel biking, such as the South Hessary Tor loop. For a more relaxed pace, consider easy hikes like the Burrator Reservoir loop or the path from Shipley Bridge to Avon Dam.

Visitors frequently highlight the exhilarating and challenging nature of Dartmoor's technical trails. For instance, the Burrator Bone Shaker Trail is praised for its 'bone rattling experience' and 'amazingly bumpy ride' that tests both rider and bike. The Sheeps Tor Singletrack is described as 'absolutely brilliant fun' despite its tricky sections, offering a great test of bike handling skills.

Yes, there is a dedicated Trials Section within Dartmoor National Park. It's described as a perfect area for trials riding, featuring great rocks to bounce over or navigate with technical lines, offering an excellent run from the Nutcracker area down to the back lane.

The Lustleigh Trail offers a tight, technical singletrack experience. It features a mixture of winding woodland trail, off-camber rooty sections, and occasional rock gardens, making it an enjoyable route to test your bike handling skills.