GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Cann Woods

3 miles (5 km)

These woods on the outskirts of Plymouth have miles of good cycling and walking trails. For mountain bikers there's some good downhill trails and nice wide tracks for leisure riding. Features include twists, turns, jumps and some berms built up by local riders. See the video below for an idea of the sort of tracks you will find on the site.
There's also a myriad of footpaths on which walkers can explore the 230 hectare (568 acre) site. Look out for pretty bluebells in the spring and a variety of wildlife including deer and various woodland birds.
To extend your exercise head to the western end of the site and pick up the Plymbridge Woods Family Cycle Trail. The shared cycling and walking trail runs alongs the trackbed of a disused railway line with views of the River Plym.
The West Devon Way long distance trail also runs past the woods. Pick up the trail and head north to visit the Bickleigh Vale and the village of Yelverton. Here you can enjoy a stroll around Yelverton Garden House or pick up the cycle trails around Burrator Reservoir.

Postcode

PL6 7QE - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Cann Woods OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Cann Woods Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

The Farm Woods cafe is located just north of the car park at Wotter. It's a lovely place to visit with a variety of Farm Animals including turkeys, pigs, goats, Mini Shetland ponies, chickens and ducks. They have a good menu and some pleasant outdoor seating as well. You can find them at postcode PL7 5HR for your sat navs.

Dog Walking

As you'd imagine the woods are ideal for dog walking. You'll probably bump into other owners on your visit. The Farm Woods cafe mentioned above is also dog friendly.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

The 22 mile Drakes Trail passes the western edge of the woods. It starts in Tavistock and visits the Tavistock Canal and Grenofen Bridge before linking up with the popular Plym Valley Trail. The shared cycling and walking route is named after the explorer Sir Francis Drake who was born in Tavistock and has a statue at the other end of the route in Plymouth.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

Cann Woods Footpath - geograph.org.uk - 1365876

Cann Woods Footpath

Forestry track in Cann Wood (9047)

Forestry track in Cann Wood

Field in Cann Wood - geograph.org.uk - 188133

Field in Cann Wood

Track and disused tramway, Cann Wood - geograph.org.uk - 188128

Track and disused tramway, Cann Wood

Plymbridge Woods south of Cann Viaduct (3089)

Lovley autumn shot of Plymbridge Woods south of Cann Viaduct.

Sparkwell, picnic tables, Cann Wood - geograph.org.uk - 1998218

Sparkwell, picnic tables. A nice place to relax on the eastern side of the woods, close to the car park.

Dismantled Tramway - geograph.org.uk - 1365951

Dismantled Tramway. Looking N.East,towards Borington Camp.Behind me the dismantled Tramway drops down to the abandoned quarry,close to Plym Bridge about one mile distant.

Column, Cann Wood - geograph.org.uk - 1534219

Column. This view illustrates three years of tree growth; in a few more, the Doric column will start to become lost amid vegetation. This is actually a little away from the line of the Lee Moor Tramway. I don't know the significance of the column, although it may well be something to do with the Boringdon estate of the Parkers, associated with Saltram.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Cann Woods.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')

Memory Map Route

Cann Woods.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Share>Save to Files)