Devon Coast to Coast
The Sustrans Devon Coast to Coast route runs from Ilfracombe on the north Devon coast, 102 miles south to Plymouth. We made the trip from Bristol more interesting by sailing on the Balmoral from Bristol harbour to Ilfracombe (bikes bookable on this service). Sunning ourselves on deck, watching the Devon coast float by, was a great start to the weekend. The two and a half days' cycling that followed were excellent.
Much of the route is on former railway lines, past beaches and estuaries, across ancient bridges and viaducts, through lovely countryside and moorland, and including the spectacular sculptures we come to expect from Sustrans.
The off-road "interim" route past Woolacombe Bay provided some excitement for those who like rough tracks, but, for me, the high point of the route (both literally and metaphorically) was Meldon Viaduct near Okehampton.
There are lots of refreshment stops and places to stay along the route, increasingly advertising themselves with signs on the path. You need your Ordnance Surveys maps, as the signing of the route, especially on leaving Ilfracombe and on entering Plymouth, left something to be desired, but all in all, the Devon C2C is highly recommended.
Tricia Golinski
