Sidmouth, Dorset

Distance 32.7km (19.7 miles) Climbing 900m (2,952ft) Time 2hrs 30mins to 4hrs

Route summary Challenging climbs and descents along with good sections of singletrack make this a fun but tough route, with views of the sea along the way, too

Sid Road, at the southern end of the park (postcode: EX10 9AA, grid ref: SY 129/879)

1

Go up Sid Road, beside the park, then turn right on Miltown Lane. Continue uphill and go right at the steps, then left on a bridleway to the road. Turn left, then left again at the fork (by a memorial). Keep ahead to the A3052 and go right, then left on a bridleway, downhill into the woods. After 1km bear left at the fork, decending to some houses with gates.

2

Proceed right through a gate, ride across the field to a hedge and head right. Cross a footbridge to Paddock House Farm and cross the bridge. At the road, go left at a post box, uphill. Bear left onto a bridleway when the road bears right, keep right at a fork and stay right, to a T-junction with a larger track. Go right to the tarmac and left on it.

3

Turn left on a bridleway past some farms, over a road, through a gate and downhill to the corner of a field, then go right through another gate. Descend and turn right on the tarmac, then left at a fork. As you climb, the track heads o -road. Make a right at a T-junction, continue to a road and turn left. Head straight over a crossroads (A375) and take the second track on the right.

4

Follow the road right and then keep ahead o it. Turn left on a bridleway, cross a track, continue straight on and join some singletrack on the left of the road. Turn left on an access track just past a field on the left, then bear left on a bridleway into the trees. Descend then climb to a road and turn right, then right again on the A375.

5

Pass the Red Lion, then bear right by a memorial as the road bears left. Ascend, keeping left at a fork. Turn right at the T-junction and then left (Burscombe Farm). Go downhill then uphill, and take a right at a T-junction, where the route becomes a rough track. Turn left at a T-junction at the top, and keep right on a bridleway into the open, before the trail zig-zags steeply downhill.

6

Turn left on the road, downhill, then right and left to cross the A-road onto the B3176. Keep descending, past Station Garage, and then turn left on Alexandria Road. Fork right on Winslade Road to Temple Street. Turn right then left on Sid Park Road, following the cycle signs, through the park, over a bridge and back to the start.

LOCATION DETAILS Sidmouth is on the south coast of England, in Devon, which is well-known for its rugged coastline, quaint cottages and pretty fishing villages. There are also some steep hills and good MTB trails to be had here.

GETTING THERE Exit the M5 at junction 30 and head south on the A376 (towards Exmouth). Turn left on the A3052 to Sidmouth, where there are various car parks available. We started on Sid Road, o the A375, east of the River Sid.

MAPS & BOOKS Ordnance Survey Landranger 110: She eld & Huddersfield and 192: Exeter & Sidmouth. Mountain Bike Rides in & Around Exmoor & Dartmoor by Max Darkins (Rough Ride Guide).

FACILITIES The Salty Monk restaurant with B&B is lovely (01395 513 174). There are various other places to stay – see www.visitsidmouth.co.uk for details. The Hare & Hounds pub at the northern end of the ride, when you cross the A375, is good. Try the Red Lion in Sidbury, too. For bike stu , there’s WV Fish on Temple Street in Sidmouth (01395 512185).