Exploring Cycling Paths in Britain's Wilderness: Preservation Strategies for Endangered Species
In the heart of Devon, a gravel-bike trail named Hunters Path meanders through some of the region's best-kept secrets. This 34-mile ride, featuring over 3,000ft of climbing, takes cyclists on an unforgettable journey through ancient woodlands, rushing rivers, quiet bridleways, sleepy villages, and rolling mid-Devon lanes.
The ride begins in Fingle Woods, an 825-acre temperate rainforest habitat. This ancient, rare deciduous woodland is home to gnarled oaks, birch, ash, and hazel, remnants of a time when temperate rainforests covered nearly 20% of the British Isles. Today, that figure is less than 1%. The National Trust and Woodland Trust are working tirelessly to restore this forest, which was stripped nearly bare three thousand years ago.
As the author, Sam Manning, pedals through Fingle Woods, he is surrounded by the coconut scent of newly bloomed gorse. Along the trail, he encounters glades of bluebells, wood anemones, and wild daffodils, painting a picture of springtime beauty.
The River Teign, which the ride passes, is a vital spawning ground for Atlantic salmon. However, numbers are at record lows due to rising water temperatures, invasive species, and the fact that no river in England or Northern Ireland is considered healthy. The Woodland Trust is working to improve salmon habitat and conditions in Fingle Woods and other Devon rivers.
The author's new book, To Have or To Hold, was researched and written while cycling on this very trail. He often rides a Canyon Grizl 7 and enjoys gravel bike rides with local friends.
The journey also offers glimpses into Devon's diverse wildlife. Wild garlic, ramson, was everywhere along the river during the ride. A pearl-bordered fritillary, one of Britain's most threatened species, was spotted during the ride. The Chudleigh Knighton Nature Reserve on Dartmoor's southeastern edge is carefully managed for one of Britain's rarest insects, the narrow-headed ant, protected by the Devon Wildlife Trust.
Britain stands among the most nature-depleted nations on Earth, with one in seven species now facing extinction. The UK ranks lowest in Europe for our sense of connection to nature. However, initiatives like the restoration of Fingle Woods and the efforts of organisations like the Woodland Trust offer hope for the future.
The picturesque Fingle Inn was a hive of walkers enjoying a riverside pit-stop during the author's ride. This charming pub, nestled among the woods, provided a perfect resting point before continuing the journey.
This article was published in the 26th June 2025 print edition of a website. However, a search for Sam Manning or an organisation in the UK focused on rainforest and river restoration yielded no results, suggesting that more needs to be done to raise awareness and support for these important initiatives.
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