The Granite Way

The Meldon Viaduct is a scheduled monument and forms part of the Granite Way near Okehampton.
Approximately in the middle of the Granite Way is Lake Viaduct, opened in 1874.
The south-west end of the Granite Way is near Lydford Castle

The Granite Way is a route of 18 km (11 miles) consisting mainly of a motor traffic-free cycle/walkway between Okehampton (near the railway station) and Lydford. It was built by Devon County Council[1] (DCC) and is part of the National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 27 ‘Devon Coast to Coast’ between Ilfracombe and Plymouth.[2] It is maintained jointly by DCC and Sustrans.[3] Currently, the Way is supported by a Sunday-only train service during summer months to and from Okehampton railway station providing links to nearby Exeter[4] run by DCC and Great Western Railway.

The Granite Way largely follows the course of the former Southern Region railway line.[5] The route includes notable features such as crossing the Meldon Viaduct and Lake Viaduct[6][7] both of which were formerly railway bridges and are of historical interest.[3] The Granite Way featured in Five of the best scenic bike rides in Devon.[8]

Much of the Way is within Dartmoor National Park.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Rail firm wins cycling award". BBC News. 21 October 2002. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  2. ^ "NCN Route 27". Sustrans. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  3. ^ a b "The Granite Way". cycleseven.org. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  4. ^ "The Sunday Rover, Exeter service". Dartmoor Railway. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  5. ^ "The Granite Way". Explore Devon. 13 July 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  6. ^ "Lake Viaduct". www.waymarking.com. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  7. ^ "Film clip of Lake Viaduct". Devon Cycle Hire. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  8. ^ "Five of the best scenic bike rides in Devon". The Guardian. 27 April 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2018.