Dartmoor North Bovey
distance(km): 39.4climbing(m): 1450difficulty: medium / hardThis is a serious ride, with a a lot of climbing, on some superb, technical trails. Don’t be scared offthough, as it can easily be made shorter (into 2 rides - east loop & west loop). Although the trail mostlyfairs well in the wet there is the problem of erosion around here, so try to go when its dry.1 START. Go east on a BW track for 0.7km (0.45m)to a X-tracks just past the old disused mine (SX 682/810). Go SA (east), UH, with a wall on your R, andDH to Headland Warren Farm (693/812). Bear L on aBW, steep UH, to a rd and go L, then shortly R on aBW (695/817) that crosses the rd.2 Keep SA/L/east, between the Tors, UH, which thendrops steeply, good DH. Keep SA on this as the trackimproves/becomes a rd, to a X-rds (718/ 831). Turn Ron the rd and keep SA on this for 2.6km (1.6m) to aX-rds (730/810) and turn R here.3 After 0.65km (0.4m), UH, turn L on a rd for 0.7km(0.45m) then turn L through a gate on the (HayneDown & Manaton) BW or see shortcut 1. 1.3km(0.8m) to Jays Grave and a rd (733/799) and go SAon a BW, DH, to a rd (739/799) and turn R on this for0.7km (0.45m) to Hound Tor car park (739/792).4 Go SA/L on the feint track to the R of the Tor,through a stone wall, then good descent, past Greatorrocks to the R and medieval village to L. Drop DH, toa bridge and walk over the rocks, to the slopes ofHaytor Down (753/786).5 Turn L (NE) at the 1st fork then L (N) at the 2ndfork, to a 3rd fork (756/791) and bear R, UH on aRUPP. 1km (0.6m) to a rd (764/793) and go R on thisfor 1.3km (0.8m), then bear L onto a BW (769/784).DH for 1.45km (0.9m) to a hairpin with rd (782/778).6 Turn sharp L onto the rd, for 0.8km (0.5m) thenbear L on a wide BW (789/781) for 1.1km (0.7m) to ard (789/790). Turn L on this for 0.35m then go R on aByW before a car park (785/794). Go DH to the bottomand keep SA, and go over the river on the 3rdbridge (772/803) and head L, tough UH.7 Keep SA to the top corner of the woods, through agate on the BW to Water. Join the tarmac and keep Ror see shortcut 2. Take the 1st R, on a BW / track(759/808) and follow the BW to the R, then L, througha gate and DH on this good, fun, technical trail, to abridge (758/821).8 Go over the bridge and up a technical climb, andtake the 1st BW on the L (772/813) along LustleighCleave (Foxworthy bridge). Keep SA along this toughtechnical trail for 1.6km (1m) joining the tarmac by thehouses and follow this to Hunters Barn cottage, andturn L over the bridge (758/821) or see the extension.9 Follow the track UH to a rd (753/822) and turn Lon this, UH, through Manaton, and dropping down toa X-rds past the church. Keep SA on the rd oppositefor 0.5km (0.3m) to another X-rds (751/807) and turnR on a lane which becomes a steep rocky BW, UH.10 Keep SA on a tough climb to the top, between theTors and back down to a rd and turn L then immediatelyR on a BW (739/799). Been here before. UH,through the field, through a gate and down to the rdand Jay’s Grave. Keep SA on the BW, UH, then dropdown to a rd (721/802) and go SA on the BW.11 Long UH (which also makes a great DH), and keepto the LHS of Grimspound, then steep DH to a rd (697/809). Turn R on the rd, UH, for 0.9km (0.55m) andturn L (west) on the BW (Two Moors Way), (or L on theBW you came along before if you want to re-do that).12 Follow this ST UH, then DH to Bennett’s Cross anda small car park (681/817). Turn L (south) and headsteeply DH on a ST across the moor, to a broad trackby the disused mines (682/811) and turn R, (west) UH,back to the car park (676/811).
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