Safe Places to Take Children Cycling Off-Road in Devon

Safe Places to Take Children Cycling Off-Road in Devon

Traffic Free Cycling Devon with kids

If you’ve got little ones who love their bikes but you’re not quite ready for busy roads, Devon is brilliant for gentle, traffic-free cycling.

From old railway lines to riverside paths and woodland trails, there are plenty of places where kids can pedal safely (and you can relax a bit too).

Here are some favourite tried-and-tested spots across East Devon and Exeter.

East Devon

Seaton Wetlands & Cycle Path into Seaton

A lovely flat, easy ride that’s perfect for younger children or those still building confidence. You can cycle through the wetlands spotting birds or extend the ride along the path all the way into Seaton with a playpark at the end. 

Parking: Seaton Wetlands car park, EX12 2SP (free)

Distance: Around 1 mile around the wetlands or 2–3 miles return into Seaton.

Refreshments: Cafés and ice cream in Seaton. Toilet facilities at the wetlands HQ.

The Byes (Sidford to Sidmouth)

This is one of those routes that just works beautifully with kids—wide, mostly flat, and running alongside the river. There’s plenty of space for scooting, wobble-free riding, and the odd stop to throw sticks in the water. The route ends at The Toll House, from here it’s pavements and back streets to the seafront.

Parking: Sidford (Byes Lane, EX10 9QX) or Sidmouth town car parks

Distance: Approx. 2 miles each way (4 miles return)

Refreshments: Nothing on the route but there are cafés and shops in Sidmouth if you are happy to carry head into the town.

These two locations are the perfect places for traffic free cycling Devon with kids.

Harpford Woods (Tipton St John to The Bowd Inn)

A bit more adventurous, following a disused railway line with woodland trails and a proper “exploring” feel. Expect uneven paths and a bit of mud—perfect for kids who like a mini adventure. This starts in the village along the lanes so not for beginners

Parking: Tipton St John village carpark  (EX10 0AF) *

Distance: Roughly 2–3 miles return depending on the route you take

Refreshments: The Bowd Inn or The Golden Lion

* head away from the river past the pub and shop on your left, turn right onto Hayne Hill road towards Harpford, the old railway line is on the left after 400 meters.

Budleigh Salterton Wetlands

A quieter, shorter option that’s great for a gentle ride and a bit of wildlife spotting. Nice if you want something low-effort but still outdoorsy. This area really is lovely with bird lookouts along the way and a play park by the car park. More details about wetlands  restoration area here.

Parking: Lime Kiln car park (EX9 6JD)

Distance: Around 1–2 miles exploring paths

Refreshments: Ice cream on the seafront or more cafes further into Budleigh Salterton nearby

Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton (Old Railway Line)

A fantastic traffic-free route along the old railway line—flat, scenic, and ideal for families. You can go as far as suits little legs, which makes it really flexible.  It’s part of the South Coast Cycle Route (2) and also can be linked to the Exe Estuary trail. 

Start in Phear Park in Exmouth, the off road section ends in Knowle on the edge of Budleigh Salterton, then through residential roads into Budleigh.

Parking: Exmouth, Phear Park, EX8 1TQ

Distance: Approx. 4 miles each way but easy to shorten.

Refreshments: Plenty of cafés and ice cream stops in Exmouth and toilets in the Phear Park. There is The Dog and Donkey pub in Knowle.  

Note there is also a 2 mile cycle path along Exmouth seafront.

Darts Farm to Lympstone and beyond

A really enjoyable ride with a mix of off-road paths and a few short, very quiet road sections. Lymstone is just 3 miles away via Topsham but you can link up to the Exe Estuary Trail to make this a longer route.  Best suited to slightly more confident young riders, but very manageable as a family.

Parking: Darts Farm, EX3 0QH

Distance: Around 3 miles each way to Lympstone

Refreshments: Darts Farm is a treat at the start or finish, and there are pubs and cafés in Lympstone

Cycle hire available, details here.

Killerton to Broadclyst Trail

A lovely mix of countryside and heritage, linking National Trust sites of Killerton and Clyston Mill in Broadclyst offers an easy bike ride for Devon families.

It’s a bit longer, so better suited to older children or a full family day out.

Parking: Free parking at The Green in Broadclyst (EX5 3EX), a well stocked village shop and a fabulous play park and other places to cycle around the recreation fields for learners. Or you can park at Killerton if you are National Trust members

Distance: Around 10km (6 miles) return

Refreshments : Café at Killerton (entry required) but toilets are available near the carpark.

Cranbrook Country Park

A large park on the edge of Cranbrook near Exeter. This is a great “starter” cycling spot—safe, contained, and ideal for younger children who are still getting the hang of things. There is also a pump track for more advanced BMX cyclists.

Parking: Cranbrook Train Station car park:  EX5 3BA

Distance: 1–2 miles of paths

Refreshments: Limited on site; various options in Cranbrook town.

Exeter & Surrounds

Hamlin Lane Bike Area (Pinhoe, Exeter)

The Hamlin Lane Bike Area, in the Hamlin Lane Playing Fields (Exeter, EX1 3LA), is a fantastic, free community facility. It offers a dedicated traffic-free cycle training zone perfect for young children learning to cycle. It features realistic road layouts complete with junctions, zebra crossings, and mini-roundabouts to help children learn road safety. It includes agility markings and gentle slopes for practicing braking and hill starts

There is also a network of dirt jumps for older riders. Built and maintained by local riders, this area features tracks ranging from beginner to advanced lines, ideal for BMX or dirt jump bikes.

There’s a separate children’s play park but no other facilities.

Exe Estuary Trail: Exeter Quay to Dawlish Warren

This is a classic Devon cycle route which is flat, mostly traffic-free, and with plenty to see along the way,  passing Powderham Castle and through Star Cross.  It’s a longer option, but you can easily just do a section and turn back.

Parking: various choices along the route in Exeter Quay or Dawlish

Distance: Around 10–11 miles each way (best done in shorter sections with younger children)

Refreshments: Cafés at Exeter Quay, stops along the route, and plenty at Dawlish Warren

More information here Explore Devon

River Exe Estuary Trail: Exeter to Exmouth

Another brilliant stretch of the same route, hugging the estuary most of the way through Topsham and Lymspton. Great views, lots of interest, and nice and flat.

Parking:  Exeter Quay or Exmouth

Distance: Approx. 8–9 miles each way

Refreshments: Plenty of options at both ends and along the route

If you do the whole route from Dawlish Warren to Exmouth to can return on the ferry. There are different ferries across the estuary, from Starcross to Exmouth, Topsham to Exminster, Topsham to Turf Locks and Exeter Quay to Double Locks.

Haldon Forest Park

If your kids are ready for a bit more excitement, Haldon Forest Park is brilliant. There are well marked family-friendly trails as well as more adventurous ones if you’ve got confident riders.

The Discovery Trail is designed specifically for children building confidence off-road and includes skills features and the Haldon skills area is great for older children.

Parking: Main Haldon Forest car park (charges apply) EX6 7XR

Distance: Various routes (1–5+ miles)

Refreshments: Café and visitor centre and toilets on site

Cycle hire available, details here.

Tiverton Grand Western Canal Country Park  (Towpath)

Flat, peaceful, and perfect for a gentle ride alongside the canal. Ideal for younger riders—and very easy to tailor to the distance you fancy.

The Grand Western Canal is a Country Park and Local Nature and  the National Cycle Network Route 3 follows much of the Canal. The canal is open all year with free access to a children’s play area with a canal theme, a visitor centre with the history of this waterway and its working horses.

Distance: Up to 11 miles one way (but easy to do shorter sections)

Parking at the Canal Basin car park,  pay and display car park, EX16 4HX

There are public toilets at the site and refreshments at a few different cafes

Further Afield

There are other routes across Devon that you may wish to explore. eg: The Stover Trail at Bovey Tracey and  The Granite Trail from Okehampton to Lydford.

A Few Quick Tips

Off road cycle routes in Devon with kids

I really hope this has given you some inspiration of where to go cycling with children in Devon. It is such a great activity for a family and the earlier you start the better. If  you have children of mixed ages you might use a child seat or even a pull along trailer.

It’s usually a good idea to go shorter than you think the first time you set out as energy levels can drop fast.

Pack snacks and a change of clothes (mud happens!)

Look for routes with things to spot, wildlife, bridges, water for a paddle or a playpark to add in some interest and fun.

And always plan a cake or ice cream stop if you can, it works wonders for motivation for parents as well as children!

For even more ideas about off safe places for families with buggies or mobility needs, then take a look at this popular post pushchair and accessible walks.