Name: Tavistock Loop
Distance: 13 - 17 miles
Difficulty: Easy (shorter route) or moderate (longer route)
Features: Drake's Trail Tunnel & Gem Bridge, woodland, Sampford Spiney village, Pew Tor & high moor views
Summary
We cycle out of Tavistock along the Drake’s Trail, avoiding all traffic and enjoying the atmospheric Grenofen Tunnel and beautiful Gem Bridge over the Walkham River. At Horrabridge we leave the trail, head through the village and up a quiet lane that ascends gently onto the moor. We’ll pause at picturesque Sampford Spiney to visit the church and soak up the views and the peace. Then we’ll pedal across open moorland via Moortown to Moorshop, cross the main road and head back into town via Harford Bridge and an off-road stretch of the Dartmoor Way.
The more energetic can take a trip a short distance from Moorshop along the main road towards Merrivale, then turn off up the little lane to Higher Godsworthy, where we can walk out onto Cox Tor for views of magnificent high Dartmoor all around. A full-day tour can include visits to the fascinating prehistoric settlements around Cox and Roos Tor, and the ceremonial sites at Merrivale.
