Medium difficulty. Distance Main route 22 miles (35.5 km); shorter routes 7 miles (11 km) or 12 miles (19 km)
A moderate to challenging 22-mile ride, with two optional shorter routes. This route takes in a 16th century village, Devon’s finest prehistoric hillfort and evidence of whetstone mining. One of eight cycle routes in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape – Route 2
Main route (1 – 23)
1 Turn left out of the car park and left just after the Catherine Wheel pub
2 Turn right at Lickham Cross
3 At crossroads go straight over, signposted Leigh
4 At junction turn left
5 At junction turn right and then go over ford
6 At junction turn left, signposted Hayne, Bodminscombe, Sheldon and then first right
7 At junction turn left
8 Turn right at Downlands Cross, signposted Kerswell, Cullompton. Just past Knowles Wood car park, take the unsigned road on the left
9 Turn left at Windwhistle Cross
10 At crossroads (Causeway End) turn left, signposted Broadhembury
11 Follow through Broadhembury then turn right at Broadhembury Cross
12 At junction turn left on to main road and left again, signposted Dunkeswell
13 At crossroads (Turbary Cross) go straight over, signposted Blackborough
14 Turn second right at Golden Lane Cross, signposted Sheldon, and follow for 3 miles, passing through Sheldon
15 Turn right, signposted Ashill and follow for 3/4 mile, then turn right signposted to Leigh and go over the ford
16 Turn first left and continue until reaching T-junction
17 At junction turn right, signposted Culmstock
18 At junction with Uffculme Road turn right into village and continue over river
19 Turn first right after Culm Valley Inn into Harts Row, through residential area
20 At junction, turn right
21 Turn right at Whitehall Cross, signposted Hemyock
22 At junction turn left, signposted Hemyock
23 Turn right and return to public car park
Shorter route (A) – 7 miles (replaces stages 4 – 16)
At junction turn right then go to instruction 17
Shorter route (B) – 12 miles (replaces stages 8 – 14)
Turn second left at Golden Lane Cross, signposted Sheldon, then go to instruction 15
Maps: This route is based on OS Explorer maps and is intended as a guide to cyclists. Refer to Explorer 128 or Landranger 192 and 193 when planning your visit.
General Information: For information about safe cycling and further information to help plan your visit, see www.blackdownhillsaonb.org.uk
Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the route directions and descriptions, responsibility cannot be accepted for any errors or omissions. If you discover any errors, please let us know.
