The West Country Way runs, when travelling east to west, from Bristol through Devon to Padstow in Cornwall. Cycling the route you will experience the magnificently varied landscape of the South West in a way denied to the car-borne tourist. From the commanding heights of Exmoor and the Mendips to the lush river valleys of Devon, The West Country Way encompasses some of the finest countryside in England.

From the east the route enters Devon near Tiverton (convenient for direct cycle link to Tiverton Parkway mainline rail station) and winds its way through quiet hamlets and remote countryside beside the Grand Western canal. It passes the Knightshayes Court and on to Bampton before the climb onto Exmoor. Though demanding, your exertions will be rewarded by the spectacular views. Descending to Barnstaple by the Taw estuary there's a convenient rail connection to Exeter and the mainline rail network. From Barnstaple the route heads along the popular traffic free Tarka Trail south to Petrockstowe. Here you head west on quiet lanes to Holsworthy.

Sections of the Route that are mostly traffic free:

• Grand Western Canal (NCN West Country Way route 3) 8 miles/ 13kms. Easy family cycling along quiet canalside path to/from Tiverton.
• Willand to Tiverton Parkway (Link to NCN route 3) 3miles/5kms  
  Level mostly traffic free link between Willand and Tiverton Parkway rail station paralleling M5; then linking via road to West Country Way (NCN route 3) near Sampford Peverell along the Grand Western Canal.
• The Tarka Trail (NCN routes 3 and 27) 32miles/51kms
  Easy family cycling along entirely traffic free former railway with wonderful estuary views between Braunton and Meeth via Barnstaple, Bideford and Great Torrington.

For further information about these sections of the route: -
Email: environment@devon.gov.uk
Tel: 01392 383223