It’s back for 2026 after a successful and sold out first two years! Our regulars had been asking for this one for some time and in 2024 we did not disappoint! After months of planning and finding the right accommodation, our Founder has created a unique trip where you can ride Dartmoor, Exmoor and Quantocks on what really is the ‘Best of the South West’!

Our passionate big-country specialist and British Cycling Level 3 leader Sean will be your host for three truly epic rides.

Three big areas in one trip – The format

We believe this trip has never been attempted before and with our careful planning of the hotels and time of year, an exhilarating and equally relaxing experience will be had. Here’s the summary of the itinerary:

• Meet and greet Friday night at the exquisite Moorland Hotel in Haytor on Dartmoor
• Ride Dartmoor on Saturday and relax for a second night at the Moorland
• After a hearty breakfast on Sunday, we drive over to Exmoor, drop the cars at our next base, enjoy a light lunch harbour side and head out to ride the awesome singletrack and natural descents of Exmoor
• Sunday evening will be spent watching the sunset over the sea as we dine and reflect on two superb days on two very different national parks
• After our last hearty breakfast, we have the short drive to the Quantocks and enjoy a day on the red rock of the jewel of Somerset with its countless swooping combes and cleeves

Day 1 – Dartmoor

After breakfast we ride from our hotel and we are soon straight into our first kilometer long descent as we circumnavigate Yarner Wood. Passing Lustleigh and Manaton our adventure starts to get wild and it’s all about the vast open moors and Tors! A sublime descent around Easdon Tor will bring out the high fives before we head for Hookney Down. With Birch Tor in sight, our riding goes up a notch with flowing singletrack and twisting trails taking us around the medieval village of Challacombe. From here, we climb through Grimspound and the open moor riding of Hameldown Tor and the epic descents just keep on coming.

It’s a big day out, but armed with a packed lunch and plenty of time, the ancient landscape will take us along past Hound Tor and downs its super fun and rocky eastern flank. The panoramic views from the our hotel terrace will be the perfect way to finish the day’s riding ahead of a local crafted meal and a second night at the Moorland Hotel.

Day 2 – An Exmoor Adventure

After our relaxing morning we say goodbye to our two night base in Dartmoor for the beautiful drive across Devon to Somerset. Arriving around midday, we have time for a harbour side light lunch before riding some of the lesser-known but equally world class natural riding on the doorstep of our final base in Porlock Weir. The sea views will provide ample distraction as we take on the many twisting and rocky trails through Horner and Shillett Woods and off the flanks of Dunkery Beacon.

After another epic day our last thrilling descent will spit us out on the waters edge and at our hotel to enjoy sunset drinks and delicious local dining.

Day 3 – The Quantocks

The final day before we travel home has to feature the distinctive Quantocks to wrap up this truly memorable trip.

After a fifty minute drive in the direction of home for most of us from our seaside base in Porlock Weir we park up in Holford on the edge of this area of outstanding natural beauty. Meaning ‘full of windings abounding in corners or bends’ in old British, is only music to mountain bikers ears as this compact range of hills is smothered in ancient singletrack trails that meander deep into hidden valleys. Whooping through the corners, splashing through idyllic streams and flowing though lush woodland

Traversing along the top and picking-off as many of the brilliant descents as we want and enjoying the sea views during a well placed picnic will be the perfect way to wrap up this memorable west country mountain bike extravaganza.

These routes can be ridden on all kinds of mountain bike depending on your personal choice. In the right hands hardtail bikes would be sufficient, and we increasingly see e-bikes in our groups – as well as full suspension trail and enduro bikes. All are welcome. Each climb, and each descent, is taken at the speed that’s right for you, and we manage our groups carefully to ensure no-one feels left behind.

Ideally, you will have your own suitable full suspension modern ‘all mountain’ / ‘trail’ mountain bike:

• 120 mm of suspension travel with modern geometry is the bare minimal for this trip
• 140-160 mm of suspension travel on an ‘all-mountain’ / ‘trail’ bike would be perfect
• Electric mountain bikes are welcome
• Hybrid and budget bicycles are not suitable for this 3 day trip

• You will be at least a strong and experienced intermediate rider with a minimum of 2-3 years regular mountain biking experience
• You will have confident in your bike handling skills and not be phased by steep, technical and long trails that would be graded predominantly red with some black sections
• The trails will include features such as roots, small to medium committing roll-able drop-offs and slopes with loose rocks of varying sizes
  • Your professional Level 3 MTB leaders will dynamically manage the group and individuals during each day. There will not be any pressure to ride features or sections above your riding ability on the day
• You have your own suitable full suspension modern ‘all mountain’ / ‘trail’ mountain bike
  • 120 mm of suspension travel with modern and aggressive geometry is the bare minimal for this trip
  • 140-160 mm of suspension travel on an ‘all-mountain’ / ‘trail’ bike would be perfect
  • Electric mountain bikes are welcome
  • Hybrid and budget bicycles are not suitable for this 3 day trip
• The ride does contain many undulating and moderately steep, technical and long climbs
• You have the personal fitness to ride for at least 6-8 hours on consecutive days at a social and comfortable pace
• You are aged 18 and over unless accompanied by an adult also participating on this ride
• If this sounds a little beyond your current skill and fitness level, then please do contact us for further discussion

Day One: Dartmoor

• Duration: 5-7 hours *
• Distance:  26 mi | 42 km *
• Elevation gain: 4,145 ft | 1,265 m *
• Technical Grade: Experienced intermediate (minimum)

Day Two: Exmoor

• Duration: 4-6 hours ride time *
• Distance:  25 mi | 41 km *
• Elevation gain: 3,745 ft | 1,142 m *
• Technical Grade: Experienced intermediate (minimum)

Day Three: Quantocks

• Duration: 3-5 hours ride time *
• Distance: 16 mi | 26 km *
• Elevation gain: 3,315 ft | 1,010 m *
• Technical Grade: Experienced intermediate (minimum)

Minimum of 2-3 years mountain biking experience with regular experience on steep, technical and natural trails

See ‘Is this for me tab’

Any questions, please contact us

* for each day the distances and elevation gain could be dynamically adapted to suit the weather and the overall riding level of the group. Our rides will be sociable and relaxed. This is big country and we appreciate we need to look after our legs, therefore to maximise the smiles we will take all day if required to pace ourselves

Equipment, kit and clothing

Essentials:

• Suitable mountain bike in good working order
• Helmet (in good condition, with no damage)
• Clothing and shoes appropriate for cycling and weather conditions on the day
• Personal choice of drink and ride snacks
• Spare rear mech hanger specific for your bike

Recommended:

• Gloves
• Glasses, sunglasses or eyeshields
• Hydration backpack (min. 2 liters)
• Spare inner tubes
• Spare spokes specific to your bike wheels
• Puncture repair kit and bicycle pump
• Padded cycling shorts for comfort

What’s not included

• Bike hire
• Personal clothing & equipment
• Pre, during or post activity refreshments
• Personal travel or accident Insurance

The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Marmalade MTB – 5559, and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for:

• Non-flight packages

ABTOT cover provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled or repatriation if transportation was included in your package.  Please note that bookings made outside the UK are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Marmalade MTB.  

In the unlikely event that you require assistance whilst abroad due to our financial failure, please call our 24/7 helpline on 01702 811397 and advise you are a customer of an ABTOT protected travel company.

You can access The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 here:  https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/634/contents/made 

You can find out more about ABTOT here: https://www.abtot.com/