National Route 28 of the National Cycle Network in Devon will run from Okehampton to Plymouth via Moretonhampstead, Newton Abbot, Totnes and Salcombe.
Okehampton to South Zeal and Bovey Tracey
The route starts on-road section from the eastern edge of Okehampton to Moretonhampstead. The Wray Valley Trail runs through Lustleigh to Bovey Tracey. The Stover Trail crosses over the A38 at Heathfield and travels alongside the Stover Canal to Newton Abbot
Totnes to Yealmpton
This section of the route travels via Salcombe. Starting at Totnes you follow quiet roads through Blackawton. Past Blackawton there is the option to take a detour to the coast, travelling to Slapton Sands and Torcross. You then rejoin Route 28 after Stokenham where the route travels inland to the coastal town of Salcombe. Using the Salcombe ferry you then continue onto South Milton, Churchstow and Ermington before arriving in Yealmpton.
https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network/route-28/
A country road on NCN28 between Chagford and Moretonhampstead with Haytor Rocks on the horizon (photo: Grant Sherman 4/8/22)
Route in Devon
Okehampton - Chagford - Moretonhampstead - Lustleigh - Bovey Tracey - Newton Abbot
30 miles, 2035ft ascent, 2740ft descent.
You can head down to Okehampton from the railway station., but it is easier to take the Tramlines Bridleway and join the NCN28 on Fatherford Lane. Head up the hill and enjoy the views at Belstone. There are lovely mossy, gnarled trees on either side of the descent to Sticklepath. Then it's roads to Throwleigh and Chagford before joining the Wray Valley Trail at Moretonhampstead. The Wray Valley Trail runs through Lustleigh to Bovey Tracey. The Stover Trail crosses over the A38 at Heathfield and travels alongside the Stover Canal to Newton Abbot.
This route explores Dartmoor National Park and the following Devon Character Areas: East Dartmoor moorland fringe, Ashburton and Dartmoor Foothills, Bovey Basin
https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/5077978591/
East Dartmoor moorland fringe
The landscape includes an extensive area of moorland fringe comprising rolling hills, many of which contain pockets of open heathland commons, and in the west an area of distinct plateau. The plateau land is dominated by conifer plantations associated with the Kennick, Tottiford and Trenchford reservoirs, around which is a gently undulating mixed farmed landscape interspersed by belts of woodland and rough heathy grassland. Here the enclosure pattern, where it is evident, is medium to large in scale and regular in form, which contrasts with the intricate pattern of medieval and post-medieval fields further west. The landscape is sparsely settled and crossed by a network of minor lanes and there is a strong sense of history presented through a rich scattering of archaeological sites and stone crosses. The generally open character of the area in the west affords long views, including views to the high Dartmoor moorland. https://www.devon.gov.uk/planning/teignbridge-and-east-devon-area/east-dartmoor-morland-fringe
Ashburton and Dartmoor Foothills
This landscape forms the eastern edge of Dartmoor National Park, and is characterised by a settled rural feel, hummocky topography and steep wooded valleys containing clean, fast-flowing streams. The largest of these contains the River Dart, which runs through a dramatic wooded gorge. The rolling hills and slopes of this area are defined by a strong mosaic of irregular and predominantly pastoral fields, semi-natural woodlands and hedgerow trees, which contribute to its well-wooded character. Patches of heath, bracken and rough grazing enhance its Dartmoor character, and together with the woodland provide constantly changing seasonal colours. The topography and aspect gives much of the area a strong sense of enclosure, with distinctive historic hamlets and farmsteads nestled into the landform. https://www.devon.gov.uk/planning/planning-policies/landscape/dartmoor-area/ashburton-and-dartmoor-foothills
Bovey Basin
The Bovey Basin is a relatively small area, characterised by predominantly flat, broad alluvial floodplain enclosed by encircling hills and, importantly, by the influence of ball clay extraction activities. The quarrying activity has resulted in large areas of despoiled land including open cast quarries, spoil heaps (creating regular-shaped hills), settling lakes, and large modern industrial buildings. These features, along with road infrastructure and development, have altered the river basin character, giving rise to a fragmented and disturbed ambience in places. Nevertheless, there are remnant areas of irregular, mainly pastoral fields with hedgerows, woodlands and some important areas of acid heath, e.g. Bovey Heath and Chudleigh Knighton Heath, reflecting the presence of underlying sand and gravel. The tree-lined Rivers Bovey and Teign also provide a more naturalistic character amongst an otherwise complex, settled landscape; and the designed parkland of Stover Estate lends a sense of continuity within an area which has undergone considerable change. This is generally an inward-looking landscape due to the basin landform and the presence of notable areas of mixed and coniferous woodland, which provide a sense of enclosure. https://www.devon.gov.uk/planning/teignbridge-and-east-devon-area/bovey-basin
Totnes - Blackawton - Stokenham - Salcombe - Ermington - Yealmpton
Open Street Map
https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=9/50.6669/-3.9413&layers=C
Explore Devon
Wray Valley Trail This 7 mile (11km) multi-use trail is a mainly traffic-free route from Bovey Tracey to Moretonhampstead. It follows the disused Moretonhampstead branch line for the majority of its length and travels through the National Trust Parke Estate and past the picturesque village of Lustleigh. There is an on-road section in Lustleigh, which is narrow and hilly, so please take extra care and consider others.
https://www.exploredevon.info/activities/walk/long-walks/wray-valley-trail/
The Stover Trail is a traffic-free route which connects Newton Abbot to Bovey Tracey. This flat, off-road family friendly route passes close to the beautiful Stover Country Park and will eventually extend towards Lustleigh and Moretonhampstead in Dartmoor National Park. A new bridge across the busy A38 dual carriageway ensures a safe crossing.
https://www.exploredevon.info/activities/cycle/stover-trail/
Dart Valley Cycleway Totnes, the historic market town that’s full of fascination and interest, is at the centre of this wonderful leisurely route which can be split into two distinct rides, forming part of the South Coast NCN No.2:
- Totnes to Hood Manor via Dartington (NCN2) 7km / 4miles
- Totnes to Ashprington via Sharpham (NCN28) 8 km / 5 miles
https://www.exploredevon.info/activities/cycle/dart-valley-cycleway/
Wikipedia