Granite Way - Okehampton to Lydford Cycle Route

This lovely, largely off road cycle route runs from Okehampton to Lydford Gorge through the Dartmoor National Park. It runs for about 11 miles along a disused railway path and forms part of National Cycle Network Number 27 but is suitable for both cyclists and walkers.
The route begins in Okehampton and takes you towards Meldon where you will pass the impressive Meldon Viaduct and a delightful bluebell wood.
The viaduct was opened in 1874 and carried the London and South Western Railway (LSWR) across the West Okement River.... It was constructed from wrought iron and cast iron and is now a Scheduled Monument. There's great views over the Okement Valley and Dartmoor from the elevated position of the bridge.
The route continues onto the pretty village of Sourton before passing Lake Viaduct where the scenery is particularly lovely. The final section then takes you to the village of Lydford where you will pass the noteworthy castle and church. You then come to the finish point at the impressive Lydford Gorge with its dramatic scenery which includes waterfalls and and a series of whirlpools known as the 'Devil's Cauldron'.
Postcode: EX20 1EH
Pubs and More Info
On the walk you could stop for refreshments at the Highwayman Inn for a great pub experience. The pub is considered England's most unusual inn with a marvellous interior and an interesting mix of ancient artifacts. It dates from the 11th-century and is also said to be haunted! The wonderful inn is located to the west of Meldon Reservoir at Sourton, postcode  EX20 4HN.
At the start/end in Okehampton The Fountain Inn is a good choice. The inn has a lovely terrace and riverside garden area where you can relax on warmer days. They serve a fine Sunday carvery with a cosy interior and two real fires. You can find them on Fore Street with a postcode of EX20 1AP. The town itself is also well worth exploring with highlights including the 15th century Chapel of St James and the medieval ruins of Okehampton Castle which is now run as a tourist attraction by English Heritage.

In Tavistock you can link up with the 22 mile Drakes Trail. It starts in Tavistock and visits the Tavistock Canal and Grenofen Bridge before linking up with the popular Plym Valley Trail. It's another rail trail with easy off road cycling to enjoy. The route is named after the explorer Sir Francis Drake who was born in Tavistock and has a statue in Plymouth.

Ordnance Survey Map OpenStreetMap OS Map (Mobile GPS) OpenStreetMap (Mobile GPS)

Interactive Map

Route Video

Nearby Routes

Meldon Reservoir Lydford Gorge Meldon Viaduct Plym Valley Trail

Photos

Meldon Viaduct, Granite Way, Okehampton, Devon. The route runs along the northern edge of Dartmoor, featuring woodlands, grasslands, and open moorland, each providing habitats for different species.
Wooded sections, such as those near Meldon Viaduct and Lake, are home to oak, ash, and hazel, with bluebells and wild garlic appearing in spring. These areas support woodland birds like great spotted woodpeckers, treecreepers, and long-tailed tits. The hedgerows along the route are filled with blackthorn, hawthorn, and dog rose, attracting butterflies such as the speckled wood and holly blue.

The Granite Way

The cycleway, following the disused Tavistock-Okehampton railway line, crosses Battishill Down north of Lydford.
In open moorland areas, Dartmoor ponies can sometimes be seen grazing, while kestrels and buzzards soar overhead. The grasslands near Lydford support wildflowers including tormentil, heath bedstraw, and orchids, providing nectar for bees and other pollinators. The River Lyd, which the route crosses near Lydford, is home to dippers, kingfishers, and otters.

 At this point NCN cycleway 27 (following the disused railway between Meldon and Sourton) is in a cutting just west of Youlditch Farm. Beyond the pool is a small granite post; on this side are the letters "OH", and on the far side, "S". Maybe "Okehampton" and "Sourton"? Surely a coincidence that these are model railway scales?

View of the tree lined surfaced path at Lydford

 A new granite bench near the southern end of Lake Viaduct on the cycleway that follows the disused Okehampton - Tavistock railway line. In the background, just this side of the two sheep sunning themselves on the track, a fork left takes cyclists back under the viaduct and down to cross the A386.

The trail near Lake. Looking north along the re-used (as a cycleway) Tavistock-Okehampton railway track as it enters a cutting after crossing Lake Viaduct. At this point a path climbs to the left of the cutting to join Sourton Bridleway 14.

The Granite Way on Prewley Moor. The cycletrack (NCN 27) drops down to cross a lane which leads from the A386 (a few yards to the right) to the water treatment works at Prewley, carrying Sourton Bridleway 16. In the distance are Sourton Tors.

Download GPX

Granite Way.gpx