Mountain Biking Routes on Exmoor

Exmoor may be less well known as a mountain biking destination than some of the UK’s national parks, but it’s got some real treats in store for those who make the effort to find them. The wild open spaces and steep hills that characterise Exmoor mean that most of the mountain biking here is moderately to very challenging, and you’re likely to need some navigation skills as well as technical bike skills.

All of this means that, while Exmoor is unlikely to be the best option for MTB beginners, it’s a real honeypot for more experienced riders, who should find challenges galore on thrilling downhills and relatively crowd-free trails. In this guide we’ll introduce you to some of the best mountain bike routes Exmoor has to offer, point you towards handy hire and activity centres and provide further inspiration for your two-wheeled outings.

How to find Exmoor mountain bike trails

There are currently no dedicated mountain bike parks or trail centres within Exmoor National Park, so visitors will need to do a little bit of research to find suitable trails. If you're planning several days' worth of riding, you may like to invest in a dedicated Exmoor mountain biking book such as Goldeneye’s Exmoor, North Devon & The Quantocks, which has detailed routes with maps and gradings. For shorter trips or a one-off outing, online resources such as Komoot and AllTrails will probably be more helpful.

If you’d like to dip a toe in before heading out on a longer route, or need a short family-friendly trail, take a look at these trails from the shorter and easier end of the spectrum. 

• Haddon Hill’s short circular trail is only a mile and a half (2.4 kilometres) long but it’s got just enough climb and descent to give your legs a little bit of a workout. The trail is wide and well marked, with some lovely views of Wimbleball Lake from the top. If you decide you need a bit more of a workout, there are several ways to extend the trail, including a route down to the lake.

• The network of forest trails at Dunkery & Horner Wood has several green and blue-rated sections that should be suitable for younger or less experienced riders. The trails run through the lovely setting of an ancient oak wood, so there’s lots of wildlife to see along the way – and the visitor centre has handy facilities including toilets and a tea room.

There are also several family-friendly trails included in our Exmoor cycling guide, some of which will be suitable for mountain bikes.

Popular Exmoor mountain biking routes

Much of Exmoor’s terrain is fairly wild – and even, in some cases, unmapped – so there are not as many well-known routes here as there are in some national parks, and you may well have to do a fair bit of navigation rather than simply following in someone else’s tyre tracks. That, of course, is part of the fun of biking around here – Exmoor is one of those places where you may well feel like you’ve got the place to yourselves at times.

There are, however, a number of relatively well-plotted mountain bike trails to follow around Exmoor, so we’ve suggested a few of our favourites here to get you started.

Dunkery Beacon Circular

Exmoor’s highest point is a popular place for both mountain bikers and walkers, and there are several paths to follow up to the top of the hill or around its lower slopes. The six-mile (10 km) circular trail from the car park is one of the best of these, though you’ll need to look out for hikers and livestock along the way. It makes a great introduction to the area, showing you some fabulous views and with probable sightings of wild ponies.

Porlock to Lynton

At 22 miles (35 km), this trail is a lot more challenging – and not just because of its length. There’s a serious amount of ascent and descent involved in this route between two of Exmoor’s most popular coastal towns, although you’ll get through a fair amount of it in the first few miles as you climb out of Porlock on a double-track pathway. Most of this route is made up of a mix of single and double track sections, with a few river crossings and technical challenges to face along the way.

It's one for the experienced rider, but the rewards of this route are plentiful – including the chance to pass by/through some of Exmoor’s top spots, including Watersmeet and Badgworthy Wood. And, of course, as you’ll be ending at the coast you’ll be able to treat yourselves to a paddle in the sea and an ice cream or cold pint at the finish. 

Brendon Hills

For a good long circular trail that’s got a bit of everything, have a go at this 24-mile (39-kilometre) route, which has coastal sections, steep sections in the Brendon Hills, woods and about 940 metres of ascent and descent. Some of the route makes use of marked trails like the Macmillan Way and Coleridge Way, while the rest introduces you to some of Exmoor’s best downhill sections like Granny’s Path and Flora’s Ride. 

Starting and ending in Minehead keeps things nice and convenient for transport purposes, and there are a few shortcut options along the way if you decide it's a bit too hard going.

Guided mountain bike tours and hire

There’s one standout company for all your mountain bike needs when you're visiting Exmoor. Exmoor Adventures, based in Porlock Weir, is a one-stop shop with bike hire and guided rides for all ages and abilities. You can hire standard mountain bikes and hardtail bikes here, and sign up for instructor-led outings including family rides, kids’ rides, skills sessions and hardcore outings for experienced riders, with both private and group sessions available. 

Owner Dan and his team have been running activities here since 2009, so they know the area inside out and will be able to keep you safely on track. And if someone in your party doesn't fancy biking, they can try other activities here too, including paddleboarding. archery and climbing.

If it's bike maintenance you’re after, there are a few bike repair shops in Exmoor. Try the following to help you sort technical problems and get you back on the trails:

• Exmoor Bike Repair in Minehead

• Porlock Pedals in Porlock

• Tuned Cycles in Wootton Courtenay

Exmoor mountain bike events and races

Exploring Exmoor under your own steam is great, but if you’d like to meet like-minded riders and set yourself a real challenge, have a look at some of the mountain bike events that take place in the park each year.

Exmoor Explorer

Exmoor Explorer is a non-competitive event with 20-mile and 35-mile options, for both mountain bikes and e-mountain bikes. This friendly event is well marshalled and signposted, with water stations en route and a sociable event village as the hub. There are several checkpoints to tick off along the way, with the favourite being the halfway point, where you’ll be treated to tea and cakes. 

Great Exmoor Ride

A longer challenge at 66 miles, the Great Exmoor Ride is another event with a fantastic sense of camaraderie and support. The route is slightly different each year but usually runs from Taunton up to Blue Anchor on the Exmoor coast, for well-earned post-ride drinks. Along the way you’ll ride on quiet roads and through gorgeous scenery, with good mechanical and medical support available as well as feed stations.

The Ex

If you’re a super-fit and experienced rider with more of a competitive edge, check out the three-day mountain bike challenge that is The Ex. This physically demanding event is limited to 80 riders and it’s hugely popular, so you’ll need to be fast even to claim your space. As an all-inclusive event it’s got accommodation, food and drink all provided, along with marked courses for each sector and full uplift for each day. 

Planning your Exmoor mountain bike adventures

Exmoor has some excellent terrain and challenging routes for experienced mountain bike riders, but as it’s one of the less-visited UK parks it’s worth doing a bit of research before setting off in order to find suitable routes. It’s also really worth being well prepared on the packing front, making sure you can be fairly self sufficient with maps, GPS systems, bike repair kit and personal supplies.

Whether you’re including one short trail on your trip, planning a whole break around mountain biking or joining one of the park’s guided tours or events, there are plenty of great mountain bike trails to explore in Exmoor – you just need to get out there and explore.