Are any of you particularly familiar with Exeter? I'm going to be at a loose end down there next weekend as my gf is off at a volleyball thing. I visit her at weekends and figured I'd take my bike and go ride Haldon, but I don't drive so I wondered if there is a cycle route that anyone knows of, so I can avoid the roads as much as possible.
Not done it myself, but here's a route out of the city centre to Haldon and back.
There isn't a fully off-road route up to Haldon from Exeter but it's very possible on quiet back lanes
The most direct route is from Alphington, through Shillingford then Clapham and up to Haldon. There's a better way back via the bridle way st Andrews Lane, down to Kenn
I'll try and upload some maps later when not on my phone!
Cross the A30 from Alphington & a big climb up the lanes to intersect the red route half a mile after the turn off to Holloway Barton.
There’s a better way back via the bridle way st Andrews Lane, down to Kenn
I was there last weekend - Just be aware that they're felling cafeside & the usual trails are blocked by knee deep tree limbs!
Now live closer to Haldon but used to ride up from town all the time. I always went the Clapham way too. Last bit of the climb is nasty on a singlespeed. Alternatively there is also a cycle path up from Kennford to Haldon.
As above cafe side is closed right now but you can still access St Andrews Lane for the return. There's a way in off the side of the A380. And St Andrews Lane is both a great trail and the only real option to lose that hard-earned height off road.
Most direct route is as mentioned above, out of town via Alphington, through Shillingfird St George, and via Clapham.
Longer but more fun is to head out via countess Weir, through Exminster, back lane to Willsworthy farm, up Kenn lane, and then up via Holloway Lane. Brings you out just south of the top of St Andrews lane.
Also the whole cafe side is shut, including the normal top of St Andrews lane.
You have to go down the slip round and about 50m along the wrong side of the A380 to access it now!
Scenic route is down the Exe to Star Cross.
Turn right, up Mamhead, across the top past the race course, turn left into Haldon and Ridge Cafe.
There are shorter routes but Haldon is on the top of a steep hill no matter which way you approach.
