Family Cycle Routes in the South Hams: Pushchair to Pedal

Cycling with small children is a different sport. The route has to be short enough for little legs, flat enough for a pushchair conversion, safe enough that you can relax, and ideally finish at a cafe with cake. The South Hams has more of these family-friendly routes than people realise, you just have to know where to find them.

This guide pulls together the easiest local options, plus a couple of stretch-yourself routes for when the kids are ready for more.

The River Path From Totnes

The flat tarmac path from Steamer Quay along the Dart is the obvious starting point for families. It runs along the river for around a mile and a half, with benches, picnic spots and ducks to feed at the start. Pushchairs and balance bikes work fine; older children can pedal the full out-and-back without complaint.

Continue across the bridge towards Dartington if you want to extend, though there is one short stretch of road crossing that needs a careful hand.

Best for

Toddlers in seats, balance bikes, first solo pedals. Plan around three hours including a coffee stop at the Steam Packet Inn or the kiosk near the boat hire pontoon.

The Stover Trail

A twenty-minute drive north takes you to the Stover Trail, a roughly six-mile traffic-free path linking Newton Abbot and Bovey Tracey. The surface is smooth, the gradient is barely there, and the trail passes Stover Country Park with its lake, woodland and a playground halfway along.

Park at either end and ride out and back, or use the two car parks to do a one-way ride with a pickup. The Riverside Cafe in Bovey is the natural lunch stop at the northern end.

Drake’s Trail

If you are happy to drive a bit further, Drake’s Trail offers 21 miles of shared path between Plymouth and Tavistock. The trail is wide, smooth and a genuine pushchair-friendly route, with viaducts, tunnels and woodland sections that keep children entertained.

The Tavistock-to-Yelverton section is the most family-friendly and includes the Gem Bridge, a spectacular crossing high above the River Walkham. Tavistock has a good park-and-ride layout for cycling families.

How to break it up

Eight to ten miles is plenty for most six to ten year olds on their own bike. Pick a shorter out-and-back from one end and save the full traverse for later.

The Dart Valley Trail South of Totnes

South of Totnes the Dart Valley Trail becomes more of a country lane ride than a traffic-free path, so it suits older children who are confident on roads. The lanes are quiet, the climbs are short and the rewards include the village of Ashprington and the Tuckenhay Mill loop.

For families with primary-age children, a ride from Totnes to Ashprington and back is around eight miles of easy lane riding, with the Durant Arms as a pub-garden lunch stop in the village.

Bike Hire and Kit

Hot Pursuit Cycles in Totnes carries children’s bikes, tag-alongs and trailers as well as adult hire. Booking ahead is essential in school holidays. Several local accommodation providers also keep a stock of children’s bikes for guests, which is worth checking when you book.

For your own gear, a small first-aid kit, plenty of snacks, sun cream and a couple of layers cover most South Devon weather. If you are using a trailer or seat, double-check the helmet fits before you set off, not at the start of the ride.

The cake question

Children ride further when they know cake is involved. Mention it once at the start, again at the halfway point, and your average pace goes up by a noticeable margin.

Safety on Country Lanes

South Hams lanes are narrow, often with high hedges, and tractors do appear at speed. For young riders, stick to the marked traffic-free paths and reserve the lane routes for confident, road-aware children. Bright clothing, working bells and a clear plan for who rides where in single file all help.

The South Devon National Landscape map shows the quietest lanes in the area, and the Sustrans network covers most of the off-road family options.

Choosing the right route for the age

For children under five, stick to the shortest traffic-free options. The first mile of the river path from Steamer Quay, a slow lap around Stover lake, or a section of Drake’s Trail loaded into a trailer all work. For five to seven year olds on their own pedals, two or three miles is plenty before the legs go. From eight upwards, distance becomes less of an issue than gradient, and a flat seven-mile loop is realistic for most.

Plan a Cycling Weekend

Mix and match a couple of these routes for a proper family cycling weekend. A morning on the Stover Trail, an afternoon ice cream by the river in Totnes, and a quiet Sunday on the lanes towards Ashprington is the kind of itinerary that turns reluctant pedallers into proper little cyclists.

For more family-focused ideas across the Dart Valley, our wider outdoor activities guides cover swimming spots, easy paddles and the best picnic places along the river.