The Granite Way
The Granite Way
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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4.5
251 reviews
Excellent
163
Very good
72
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10
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5
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1
Gillian K
Gloucester, UK104 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
As we have had so much rain we thought seriously about where to go for a good walk. The Granite Way seemed to suggest a good solid path. We parked in Okehampton Railway Station, which has only recently re opened. Lots of people using it, as it runs to Exeter. We took some refreshments in the cafe, served by very friendly staff, and made use of the toilets before we began our walk. Our aim was to get as far as the Meldon Viaduct, and this proved to be a 5.5 mile round trip, taking us about an hour each way on, a very good , flat path. It couldn’t be described as a peaceful walk, as the traffic noise from the A30 was with us all the time, but there were many interesting things to look at along the way. Meldon Quarry, the disused Meldon Station, attractive signposts, and the view of the Meldon Dam from the viaduct, with plenty of water rushing over it. The Granite Way is popular with cyclists and goes as far as Lydford, and I think the distance between Okehampton and Lydford is about 9 miles.
Written 18 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mandy M
Taunton, UK42 contributions
Feb 2023
Walked this in there and back sections with our two collies on Mondays in January and February so very few cyclists and thankfully pretty much mud free!
Section 1 parked at YHA Okehampton (free) and new cafe just opened. Walked to Meldon viaduct and back. First part pretty much hugs A30 so road noise but also some stunning scenery. Section 2 parked at car park Meldon reservoir then back down the lane to join the way. Walked to the viaduct then back and on to Bundu caravan park and Pump and Pedal for a lovely coffee. Peaceful and interesting section but mainly in cuttings so less views. Section 3 parked on road near Bundu and walked to Weeks Water post and back over Lake viaduct and via 200m section of unmade track which is a permissive path. Stunning scenery over Sourton tors. One small lane to cross. Section 4 parked in muddy lay-by at Lydford end and walked to Weeks water post and back some 10000 steps. Was quite misty but lovely views when lifted slightly. Road to cross near Bridestowe which would probably have been a better place to park.
Would be an amazing route to cycle and not too strenuous. Lovely walk too but as we have dogs better when out of season and on weekdays.
Section 1 parked at YHA Okehampton (free) and new cafe just opened. Walked to Meldon viaduct and back. First part pretty much hugs A30 so road noise but also some stunning scenery. Section 2 parked at car park Meldon reservoir then back down the lane to join the way. Walked to the viaduct then back and on to Bundu caravan park and Pump and Pedal for a lovely coffee. Peaceful and interesting section but mainly in cuttings so less views. Section 3 parked on road near Bundu and walked to Weeks Water post and back over Lake viaduct and via 200m section of unmade track which is a permissive path. Stunning scenery over Sourton tors. One small lane to cross. Section 4 parked in muddy lay-by at Lydford end and walked to Weeks water post and back some 10000 steps. Was quite misty but lovely views when lifted slightly. Road to cross near Bridestowe which would probably have been a better place to park.
Would be an amazing route to cycle and not too strenuous. Lovely walk too but as we have dogs better when out of season and on weekdays.
Written 22 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
therichastill
Stevenage, UK3,492 contributions
Mar 2022
The Granite Way is a well maintained cycle route from Okehampton to Lydford. I walked it from Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct which took me about 40 minutes each way.
There is plenty of glorious scenery to enjoy and the route is the old railway route so it is fairly easy to navigate. No steep climbs!
Highly recommended for a brisk walk!
There is plenty of glorious scenery to enjoy and the route is the old railway route so it is fairly easy to navigate. No steep climbs!
Highly recommended for a brisk walk!
Written 8 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike
Glossop, UK1,444 contributions
Oct 2022 • Solo
Good nine mile walk from Okehampton to Lydford with many great pubs along the way and impressive viaducts at Lake and Meldon. Allow at least 3 hours to do the whole route on foot or you can cycle it. It is tarmacced throughout apart from an odd 200m stretch that is in private ownership where there is just a rough path.
Written 15 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ClaireAdamMoss
Ilfracombe, UK5,394 contributions
Aug 2020
We were staying at a campsite in Lydford for the weekend and decided to cycle the Granite way for a few hours.
Very easy access at many points along the route and even though it was a busy day with plenty of families also enjoying the path, it was still tranquil and you could talke it all in at your own pace.
The weather/visibility wasn't too great when we set out but I can honestly say that of all the off road cycle tracks on the national 27 route, that this is the finest and most easy riding we have ever done! Flat, smooth and oh so picturesque, it really was a joy to cycle. We had no intentions of getting all the way to Okehampton but easily nearly did. We cycled over 2 viaducts, past many rolling hills, saw nature at it's finest. Only when we stopped for our lunch did we have to turn back just after bluebell wood as we had forgotten our forks so headed to the lovely guys at Devon cycle hire who let us borrow some and use their picnic benches.
Both Lake & Meldon viaduct were lovely in their own way. The views from both were amazing and thinking about the guys who designed and constructed them both really gives you pause for thought!
There really is plenty to see and do along the way, take your time, look at the map beforehand so you don't miss anything and just enjoy a fabulous few hours on this glorious stretch of Devon cycleway!
Very easy access at many points along the route and even though it was a busy day with plenty of families also enjoying the path, it was still tranquil and you could talke it all in at your own pace.
The weather/visibility wasn't too great when we set out but I can honestly say that of all the off road cycle tracks on the national 27 route, that this is the finest and most easy riding we have ever done! Flat, smooth and oh so picturesque, it really was a joy to cycle. We had no intentions of getting all the way to Okehampton but easily nearly did. We cycled over 2 viaducts, past many rolling hills, saw nature at it's finest. Only when we stopped for our lunch did we have to turn back just after bluebell wood as we had forgotten our forks so headed to the lovely guys at Devon cycle hire who let us borrow some and use their picnic benches.
Both Lake & Meldon viaduct were lovely in their own way. The views from both were amazing and thinking about the guys who designed and constructed them both really gives you pause for thought!
There really is plenty to see and do along the way, take your time, look at the map beforehand so you don't miss anything and just enjoy a fabulous few hours on this glorious stretch of Devon cycleway!
Written 24 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
priorygate
Sale, UK28 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Had a great day cycling from Okehampton to Lydford and back along the Granite Way. Easy cycling, spectacular views, and a lovely lunch at the Castle Inn at Lydford. Great ice cream stop along the way too!
Written 8 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sara m
Cumbria, United Kingdom118 contributions
Aug 2021
A very good cycle path, suitable for all abilities. We rode from Okehampton to Lydford. Just under 11 miles, nice pub in the village, lovely historic church and the castle, all worth a visit before heading back. Great views from the path and lots of pit stops if required along the way.
Written 11 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fell-O_TravellerUK
Garden of England158 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
This is an unusual traffic free cycle route in that it is very much road bike friendly.
The whole route is about 10 miles long and apart from one short of gravel section of 250m is all tarmac. There is also one underpass section near Okehampton which you need to go slowly through and has a gate at one end.
We pushed our bikes along the 250m section but apart from that and the one gate near the underpass, you could cycle the whole way - it is designed for bikes so when you have to cross any other tracks you dont need to get off and open gates, you can cycle straight through.
We went in October so there were a reasonable number of leaves on the route so we had to go a little bit carefully but given the width of the track and the very high quality of the tarmac - virtually no pot holes, we maintained a pace of around 22km along the entire length.
The benefit of using this to get between Okehampton and Lydford is you dont need to go on any A roads which can be quite busy, it is more direct and you get amazing views of the high moor to one side and then the lower surrounding areas on the other.
We were unsure before we did it whether it was worthwhile to do instead of staying on the main roads but having done it we can definitely recommend it (though I should say we went mid week and in Autumn so in high summer it might be congested with families going much slower).
For interest we did this as part of a 80km/50miles circular route which went Whiddon Down, Okehampton, Lydford, Tavistock, Princetown, Chagford, Whiddon Down - and assuming you do it on a day when you can see out from the top of the moor, is an absolutely fantastic cycle and one of our favourites.
The whole route is about 10 miles long and apart from one short of gravel section of 250m is all tarmac. There is also one underpass section near Okehampton which you need to go slowly through and has a gate at one end.
We pushed our bikes along the 250m section but apart from that and the one gate near the underpass, you could cycle the whole way - it is designed for bikes so when you have to cross any other tracks you dont need to get off and open gates, you can cycle straight through.
We went in October so there were a reasonable number of leaves on the route so we had to go a little bit carefully but given the width of the track and the very high quality of the tarmac - virtually no pot holes, we maintained a pace of around 22km along the entire length.
The benefit of using this to get between Okehampton and Lydford is you dont need to go on any A roads which can be quite busy, it is more direct and you get amazing views of the high moor to one side and then the lower surrounding areas on the other.
We were unsure before we did it whether it was worthwhile to do instead of staying on the main roads but having done it we can definitely recommend it (though I should say we went mid week and in Autumn so in high summer it might be congested with families going much slower).
For interest we did this as part of a 80km/50miles circular route which went Whiddon Down, Okehampton, Lydford, Tavistock, Princetown, Chagford, Whiddon Down - and assuming you do it on a day when you can see out from the top of the moor, is an absolutely fantastic cycle and one of our favourites.
Written 23 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
graeme lee
Tavistock, UK38 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
A tarmac surfaced Cycleway, maintained by Devon County Council. It has parking at bothends and at all road intersections. -Bridestowe Road, Sourton Village, and Sourton Water Works. Seating is available intermittently spaced and the track has been thoughtfully designed to have some shape by allowing it to both wander slightly in the outline of the linear railway and has some variation in elevation or undulation which would not have been present for the trains. The views and the wild flowers along the track are stunning in season. Refreshments are available at Okehampton railway station, the railway carriage at Meldon (summer School holidays ) the cycle hire shop at Sourton and the several pubs just off the cycle way.
Written 23 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bazzers
9 contributions
Mar 2014 • Friends
I have seen a review that says there is not much to do but I say there is, great views, if you go off line a little there is meldon viaduct, meldon dam and lake, further down the army camp on the moor, the views are fantastic. Then there is sourton church and cream teas, pull off and under the lake viaduct and go to the Bearslake inn, great food and very friendly staff
If you look you will see the Way has a lot to offer if you care to take the time to look.
If you look you will see the Way has a lot to offer if you care to take the time to look.
Written 11 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
At the Lydford end or start of the Granite Way there is the Castle Hotel. Look up reviews of that.. You also have Lydford Gorge with a National Trust cafe.
Written 7 June 2019
Is the granite way tarmac throughout. Hence is it suitabke for my road bike tyres? Thank you
Written 27 August 2018
Yes it’s tarmac nearly all the way, with a small section gravelly and dust you will be fine .
Written 27 August 2018
Yes, pedestrian and cycleway. Some sections horses are allowed but not on all.
Written 2 January 2019
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