The Two Tavy’s Loop
20 miles | 4/10 difficulty | 3–4 hours
About this route
I was concerned that this route was “too easy” and would therefore be a bit boring, but I was very wrong! It’s 100% rideable with only a few bits of technical gravel but nothing that should trouble anyone. But the views from Cox Tor towards Pew Tor, some really nice unexpected tracks, stepping stones, stout climbs, old railway lines and tunnels and a tour of Tavistock make this route a real gem of a ride. And as usual, there are plenty of places to eat, drink and be merry!
Weather
The weather can change quickly on Dartmoor and whilst this is not an overly exposed route, I would always advise on carrying clothing for bad weather.
Map
If you select the right “square” symbol this will open the map in a new tab or window allowing you to download a KML file (instead of a GPX file). The KML file can be added to various mapping or route planners although personally if you can work with KML then GPX is more flexible and it preserves more data about the track. If in doubt get the GPX as you can convert GPX to KML but not the other way around.
Start Point
Although the GPX file starts at the Peter Tavy Inn, starting in Tavistock would be my recommendation as it gives a nice, fast, mainly downhill finish on Drake’s Trail with an interesting start across the top of Tavistock!
Park near Tesco/Morrisons, or in any of the town car parks, and then find the Sir Francis Drake statue. From here there are two options to get on the route; follow the track along the leat by the side of the school or simply head up the road to get onto the Viaduct Walk (don’t worry, it is a cycle track). It’s a totally unexpected route that is high above the town and runs almost 2 miles from one end of Tavistock to the other before dropping back down to the A386 and on towards Peter Tavy on the road. Just as you enter the village, you take a right (the pub is 1/4 straight ahead) and head up. Everything from the village is up and it is a pretty stout climb until you reach the variable bridleway for a bit of a respite. But, you’re soon back on the tarmac and going up again before you then get onto the moor. Follow the narrow road and then bear left at the farmhouse and head over past Cox Tor (on your left) and cross the B3357 towards Pew Tor.
The Pork Hill car park on your left, whilst often very busy, has a Willy’s Ice Cream van. I can only assume they add clotted cream to the vanilla ice cream! Worth a taste.After your ice cream, it’s a lovely descent to Pew Tor and then down again to Sampford Spiney. A few ups and down by road bring you to the pretty little village of Huckworthy Bridge followed by an interesting track that chops and changes as it goes, including some nice stepping stones across Black Brook. A bit more road then brings you to Yelverton where if you’re lucky, just before you get on Drake’s Trail, you can try out some of the wares of Dartmoor Bakery (check their opening hours to avoid disappointment).
Rockin Bikes are also a few doors down from the bakery.
You then get on Drake’s Trail. This is a graded, mainly tarmac route that goes all the way back into Tavistock taking in Gem Bridge and Grenofen Tunnel which is very dark and slightly spooky even in the day time. There’s a nice cafe just after the tunnel exit, just look for the sign.
I’ve been through at 4am on a training run (don’t ask) and stupidly managed to scare myself!Before you know it you’re back in Tavistock picking your way through the housing estates, and back where you started. Hopefully, you’ll agree that this route is the gem I suggested!?
Route grading
I would consider the route as 100% rideable, 1% technical and 0% walking.
- Rideable: tarmac, gravel or hard short grass.
- Technical: easy on an MTB with suspension forks.
- Walking: steepness, grip or gnarly but rideable on an MTB.
NOTE: I’m an average MTB rider so my version of “gravel” may be slightly more aggressive than other views of gravel. But, I have ridden the entire route on my gravel bike so do not expect any major issues for anyone on a gravel bike.
Weather risk
Dartmoor weather can change very quickly from strong winds to hard rain to very thick fog. The terrain is featureless in many places making it VERY easy to get lost and disorientated.
The only part of this route where weather risk is possible:
- Cox Tor to Pew Tor: Mile 1.5–4/KM 2–6.
The GPX file
I’ve made this a Google Drive link available to anyone. This will open a text file, top right there is a download link to allow you to save it to your computer.
April 2021
