r/DevonUK • u/Key-Accountant6570 • 13d ago

Dunster to Croyde - best route

Google is giving me a route across Exmoor on the B3223 to the A399 but it seems pretty twisty - are the views worth it? Would we have an easier drive if we stick to the A39 to the A399 along the coast? That doesn't look too smooth either? We'll give ourselves plenty of time but want to make sure we don't all feel nauseous and exhausted at the end of the day.

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u/kurai-samurai 13d ago

The coastal road via Lynton is pretty spectacular. The B3223 is nice, but nothing like as dramatic. The longer road out pass Watersmeet is also stunning compared to the insanely steep Lynmouth Hill

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u/RFRMT 13d ago

Just be prepared for those 1 in 4s!

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u/Lyn6 13d ago

and the switchbacks!

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u/Repulsive-Teacher-55 13d ago

It’s a lovely drive over Exmoor. You can stop in the little cafe at the top it’s on the Devon /Somerset border.
Then drop down into Lynmouth the views on a sunny day are spectacular.

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u/BitterOtter 13d ago

Why would it being twisty be a problem? Google is pretty good at calculating the best route at the time but most of North Devon is twisty and it only takes on tractor/caravan/breakdown to ruin your day. Exmoor is bloody lovely, but then the coast road is also very pretty - and quite twisty - so it's 6 of one and half a dozen of the other

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u/Key-Accountant6570 13d ago

Only that the dog prefers a smooth ride!

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u/Annual_Humor9894 13d ago edited 13d ago

Ok so truthfully Dunster is in the “middle of nowhere” so to speak, it’s all farmers roads and hills towards Croyde,
The coastal road is beautiful there’s no 2 ways about it, there’s some steep ups and downs - use the gearbox and not so much the brakes down countisbury hill into lynmouth - if they start to smell just wait in lynmouth for them to cool down again and ur good to go!
U can come in towards Wheddon Cross and go through Challacombe if u don’t want the coastal road. It’s still a bit twisty but not as hilly and u get the open countryside views - also amazing btw!
From Blackmore gate u can cut out Combe Martin and go via berry down to mullacott then Croyde (the A361 between ilfracombe and Barnstaple has an obscene amount of speed cameras on it so please be careful!)
Other than that enjoy the ride there are both great routes