The best gravel rides around Kenton

Kenton offers a good selection of gravel bike trails, with over 20 routes available. These range in difficulty from moderate to difficult, ensuring options for various skill levels.

The gravel bike trails around Kenton feature a diverse landscape, including paths through extensive woodlands like Haldon Forest, along river estuaries such as the Exe Estuary and River Otter, and across open commons like Woodbury Common. You'll encounter a mix of forest tracks, riverside trails, and varied surfaces, with gentle ascents and descents.

While many routes are moderate to difficult, there is at least one easy gravel bike trail available. For a moderate option that connects the Exe Estuary with heathland and woodlands, consider the Topsham to Woodbury Common — Exeter gravel routes.

Yes, Kenton offers several challenging routes for experienced gravel bikers. Trails like Haldon, Mamhead and Dawlish — Exeter gravel routes and Haldon Belvedere and the Estuary — Exeter gravel routes explore the more demanding terrain of Haldon Forest and coastal areas, often covering distances of over 40 miles with significant elevation changes.

Many routes offer scenic views and pass by notable features. You might encounter the Exeter Ship Canal, ride along the Exe Estuary Trail, or see the Countess Wear Bridges. The area also features viewpoints like Orcombe Point and the Geoneedle, offering stunning coastal vistas.

Yes, many of the gravel routes in Kenton are designed as circular tours, allowing you to start and end at the same point. For example, the River Otter and Common — Exeter gravel routes offers a challenging circular ride through varied landscapes.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.4 stars from over 40 reviews. Reviewers often praise the diverse terrain, from quiet forest tracks in Haldon Forest to scenic riverside paths along the Exe Estuary, and the engaging mix of surfaces suitable for gravel biking.

Yes, within Haldon Forest Park, you can find facilities like Forest Cycle Hire, which can be useful for rentals or basic services. The area also features dedicated trails like Ridge Ride Extreme and Kiddens Trail for those looking for more technical riding.

While specific public transport links directly to trailheads can vary, the region is generally accessible. Many routes are close to towns and villages that may have bus or train connections, particularly those near the Exe Estuary. It's advisable to check local transport schedules for the most up-to-date information.

Kenton's diverse landscape makes it suitable for gravel biking throughout much of the year. Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures and vibrant scenery. Summer is also popular, though trails can be busier. Winter rides are possible, but be prepared for potentially wet and muddy conditions, especially on forest tracks.

Absolutely. Many routes in Kenton are designed for longer excursions. For instance, the Rixdale Road – Haldon Forest MTB Skills Park loop from Haldon Forest Park is a challenging route covering over 46 km and typically takes several hours to complete, offering extensive exploration of the forest and surrounding areas.