The best MTB trails around Teignbridge

The Haldon Forest loop of the ridge offers a red-graded mountain biking experience, perfect for proficient riders seeking a technical, fast, and flowing adventure. This 5.2-mile (8.4 km) route, with 349 feet (106 metres) of elevation gain, typically takes around 44 minutes to complete. You'll navigate predominantly singletrack with tight corners, lively descents, and undulating sections that snake through the forest, providing picturesque views of the surrounding woodlands and magnificent vistas of Exeter and the Devonshire countryside from the ridge.

This trail is well-maintained and rideable year-round, thanks to its rocky, flint base, though you might encounter puddles after heavy rain. It features a mix of hardpack and looser gravel, with natural elements like tree roots, ditches, bridges, and boardwalks adding to the dynamic ride. A new 700-meter red section was added in December 2023 to enhance the experience and improve safety, ensuring a fresh challenge for returning riders.

While officially rated as moderate and red-graded, some sections, particularly in the latter half, might feel more like a harder blue or pink grade. The route is part of the larger network at Haldon Forest Park, which also includes easier green and blue trails, a skills area, and a pump track. For an even greater test, you can access the black-graded "Ridge Ride Extreme" from this loop, featuring demanding rocks, berms, drops, and step-downs.

The Haldon Forest loop of the blue Spicers & Kiddens trails offers a moderate mountain biking experience through a wooded hilltop. As you ride, you'll navigate a combination of hard-pack gravel and rocky flint surfaces, ensuring year-round rideability. This 6.3-mile (10.1 km) route, which takes about 52 minutes to complete, features a total elevation gain of 324 feet (99 metres). You'll enjoy pleasant forest views, with tall Douglas firs providing shade, and clearings offering panoramic vistas of Exeter and the wider Devonshire countryside, sometimes extending to the coast on clear days. This loop is designed for intermediate cyclists or those looking to build their off-road skills.

This blue-graded loop is part of a well-maintained and waymarked trail network at Haldon Forest Park. You'll find the trail conveniently located close to the park's cafe and car park, making it easy to grab refreshments after your ride. While the rocky flint base makes the trails rideable throughout the year, be prepared for puddles and potentially stream-like conditions if you visit during wetter months or after heavy rain. The park also provides additional amenities like a skills area and pump track if you want to warm up or hone your abilities before tackling the main loop.

This loop combines two distinct blue-graded trails: Spicers and Kiddens. Spicers is an excellent confidence-builder with gentle gradients, ideal if you are progressing from beginner trails or introducing new riders to mountain biking. Kiddens Trail then offers a natural progression, presenting more challenging terrain with greater changes in gradient and singletrack sections, helping you further develop your skills.

Embark on a challenging mountain biking adventure around Hound Tor, Hunter's Tor, and the River Bovey in Dartmoor National Park. This difficult 25.4-mile (40.9 km) route demands advanced riding skills, featuring technical singletrack, rocky descents, and steep climbs that accumulate 3674 feet (1120 metres) of elevation gain. You can expect to complete this demanding ride in about 4 hours and 19 minutes, navigating through diverse landscapes from vast moorland to steep wooded valleys, with magnificent views from the granite tors.

Be prepared for highly technical and sometimes hazardous terrain, as sections of this route are rated STS S3-S6. You will encounter tight, loose, and wet surfaces, including a

Embark on the Hound Tor, Grimspound & Hameldown loop, a moderate mountain biking adventure spanning 9.3 miles (15.0 km) with 1195 feet (364 metres) of elevation gain, typically completed in 1 hour and 24 minutes. The route offers a diverse Dartmoor experience, transitioning from quiet tarmacked lanes to rough tracks with sandy earth and impressive rock slabs. You will ride through expansive open moorland, past iconic granite tors like Hound Tor, and enjoy panoramic views of Widecombe village and its surroundings, often colored by heather and gorse. Expect a mix of bridleways, rocky sections, and fast descents along the Hameldown Ridge, with close-cropped grass and granite boulders on Hamel Down.

This trail demands good fitness and advanced riding skills, making it suitable for seasoned mountain bikers. While some sections offer smooth paths, be prepared for challenging rocky terrain and significant climbs, as some parts may even require you to push your bike. The varied surfaces, including singletrack and unpaved sections, contribute to its moderate difficulty rating. Planning your ride for optimal conditions will enhance your experience on this popular route around Widecombe in the Moor.

The loop is rich in historical and natural significance, taking you past the well-preserved Bronze Age settlement of Grimspound, featuring 24 stone roundhouses. You will also encounter the distinctive granite outcrops of Hound Tor and Hameldown Tor, which are prominent features of the Dartmoor landscape. The trail offers a condensed view of Dartmoor's beauty, from ancient settlements to scenic ridge-top vistas, making it a notable and popular choice for mountain biking in the region.

Embark on a moderate mountain biking adventure through Haldon Forest Park, starting near Belvedere Castle. This route offers a diverse experience, blending singletrack, paths, and cycleways with engaging technical elements like roots, rocks, and berms. As you ride, you'll encounter magnificent views of Exeter and the wider Devonshire countryside, particularly from the Haldon Forest Ridge Ride. The trail covers 17.6 miles (28.4 km) with an elevation gain of 1667 feet (508 metres), making it a solid challenge. You can expect to complete this loop in about 2 hours and 29 minutes, enjoying the varied terrain and scenic vistas.

Haldon Forest Park is a well-equipped trail center, making your visit straightforward. Parking is generally available directly at the park, providing convenient access to the trailhead. Thanks to its rocky flint base, the trails are rideable throughout the year, offering a consistent option for mountain biking enthusiasts. However, be prepared for puddles and potentially muddy sections if you plan your ride during wet weather. Always check local conditions before heading out to ensure the best experience.

This trail is notable for its year-round accessibility and the quality of its mountain biking features within Haldon Forest Park. The park itself is a managed woodland area, providing a dedicated space for outdoor activities. The combination of natural forest environment and purpose-built trail elements creates a dynamic riding experience. It stands out as a prime destination for mountain biking in the region, offering both challenge and rewarding views.

Embark on a difficult mountain biking adventure through Dartmoor National Park with the Kennick Reservoir, Grimspound, and North Bovey loop. This challenging route spans 30.8 miles (49.6 km) and features a significant 4468 feet (1362 metres) of elevation gain, taking approximately 4 hours and 51 minutes to complete. You will navigate a mix of demanding terrain, including technical rocky trails, steep singletrack sections, and some gravel paths, all set against a backdrop of stunning moorland, picturesque villages, and granite tors. The ride offers diverse natural beauty, from the tranquil waters of Kennick Reservoir to winding woodlands and river features.

Starting from Moretonhampstead, this hard mountain bike ride demands very good fitness and advanced riding skills. While the route can be ridden when wet, you will find it safer and easier to tackle the technical sections when the trails are dry. Be prepared for sections that may require you to push your bike due to their difficulty. Bikes with off-road tires, such as mountain bikes or hybrids, are essential for handling the varied surfaces you will encounter.

What makes this loop truly stand out is its blend of natural grandeur and historical significance. You will pass through Grimspound, an ancient Bronze Age settlement, adding a unique archaeological dimension to your ride. The area around North Bovey is particularly known for its technical rocky trails, attracting experienced mountain bikers seeking a true Dartmoor challenge. This route offers a rewarding experience for skilled riders, combining demanding ascents and descents with diverse landscapes and ancient features.

Embark on a moderate mountain biking adventure through Dartmoor National Park with the South Brent & Avon Dam loop. This 13.9 miles (22.3 km) route, with an elevation gain of 1672 feet (510 metres), offers a diverse terrain including paved roads, gravel, and semi-technical singletrack. You will experience stunning river valleys with gushing waterfalls along the River Avon, leading to the magnificent Avon Dam Reservoir, all within an estimated 1 hour and 50 minutes of riding.

To begin your ride, head to Shipley Bridge, a convenient starting point that offers parking, toilets, and information boards. While the trail is rated moderate and requires good fitness, some sections, like the paved bridleway to Avon Dam, are gentle and suitable for all skill levels. Be prepared for varied surfaces, including rocky sections and roots, especially on descents. The route provides an excellent introduction to Dartmoor mountain biking, balancing challenging climbs with more manageable stretches.

This loop is notable for its blend of natural beauty and historical interest, particularly the Avon Dam, which was built in 1957. The trail provides expansive views across the reservoir and down the valley, as well as wide-open moorland vistas as you ascend. It serves as an ideal entry point for less experienced riders to explore Dartmoor's southern moors, climbing to nearly 400 metres while avoiding the wildest parts of the park. The traffic-free section to Avon Dam enhances the scenic experience.

Prepare for a challenging mountain biking adventure on the Grimspound, Hayne Down & the Nutcrackers loop from Manaton. This difficult route spans 16.5 miles (26.5 km) and features a significant 2419 feet (737 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 3 hours and 3 minutes to complete. As you ride, you'll navigate Dartmoor's distinctive landscape, characterized by vast open skies, rolling grassland, and dramatic granite tors. A highlight is the ancient Grimspound Bronze-Age Settlement, which emerges strikingly from the open moorland, offering a unique historical backdrop to your ride. The trail also includes the renowned Nutcracker Trail, a particularly rocky descent that will test your technical skills.

When planning your visit, be aware that this route is a shared bridleway, so you will encounter walkers, horses, and local sheep. Winter conditions can make the trail exceptionally difficult, with very slippery and potentially unridable sections. Expect boggy and waterlogged ground, especially after rain, which can slow your progress and add to the technical challenge. For the best experience, consider tackling this route during drier seasons to avoid the most challenging conditions.

This loop offers a deep dive into Dartmoor National Park's rugged beauty and ancient history. Beyond the physical challenge, you'll gain insight into the region's past at the Grimspound Bronze-Age Settlement, a well-preserved example of prehistoric life. The combination of demanding terrain, historical sites, and expansive moorland views makes this route a standout option for experienced mountain bikers seeking a memorable ride in the heart of Dartmoor.