The landscape of Devon is rough and rugged: Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson famously struggled across the wilds of Dartmoor in the case of the Hound of the Baskervilles. On the North coast you’ll find the Great Hangman - the tallest cliff in the South of the UK. The South coast is known for its rocks rich in dinosaur fossils. All of these and more can make getting around the county on foot, bike or horse a challenge. That’s not the case if you opt for the ultimate on all terrain vehicles: an ATV quad bike!

Quad bikes combine the power and versatility of a dirt bike with the stability of a four wheeled vehicle. They’re simple to drive and to control on a whole range of terrain types: mud, rock, sand and grass - if you’re going offroad, you can’t do better than a quad bike. You’ll find every kind of terrain in Devon, and your reward for traversing it will be spectacular views: dramatic coasts on the North and South, uninhabited wilderness in the interior and river valleys that connect the two. Climb aboard one of these vehicles and discover it for yourself, you’ll find the option for you, at a price that you can’t refuse.

Where are the best places to go quad biking in Devon?

• Exeter: the county town, Exeter lies in the valley of the river Exe. Outside the city centre, on the road to Cullompton, you’ll find a quad biking track to put your speed to the test. With a wide range of all terrain vehicles on offer, from child size to full size (and several models in between), the whole family can have the thrill of a quad bike track race here.

• Ottery St Mary: if offroading is your thing, you need to come to Ottery St Mary. This is a quad bike safari with over 12 miles of trails that take you through Escot Park: farmland, field, marsh, woodland, and purpose built obstacles! You’ll be taken on a trek by experienced instructors around the site which will challenge your balance and your nerves. And if that’s not enough, you can take a night time quad safari. A complete adrenaline fuelled experience, tearing across the countryside by the light of the moon, and the headlights of your offroad vehicle.

• Torquay: not all of Devon is rugged and inhospitable, Torquay is part of the English Riviera, a tranquil stretch of coastline with sandy beaches and resort towns. Right on the shore line, between fish and chip shops and seaside amusements, is a quad bike circuit. With full tarmac paving and car tyre safety barriers, this is the perfect place for the kids to get a taste of riding. They’ll be able to speed around the track, without the danger of crashing the bike into the undergrowth, or covering themselves in mud!

• Dawlish: between this seaside town and inland Ashcombe you’ll find one of the best off road quad bike trekking experiences around. Over 12 miles of unpaved trails wind their way through the picturesque south Devon scenery, complete with twists, turns, hills and puddles. The team here have over 30 years of experience providing adventures and, along with their top of the range machines, can guarantee you the ride of your life.

• Ilfracombe: don’t worry if you’re spending your holiday at the beautiful beaches of North Devon, you’ll find an all terrain adventure near Ilfracombe. With specialised tracks for all ages, from an inflatable track for children to free roam of the countryside for grown ups, there’s something for everyone here. Their motto is “the Wetter the Better”, so if rain clouds are threatening your day at the beach you know where to come! For an all terrain, all weather, all year round thrill, you can’t beat it.

Requirements to do this activity

Forget waiting around to turn 17 and get your provisional driving licence, in Devon you can channel your inner petrol head from the age of 5 years old! The youngest riders will be able to enjoy specially designed tracks and smaller, less powerful quads to ensure safety at all times.

For those who can handle them, we’re talking about teenagers of at least 14 years old and adults, there are some really impressive machines available to ride here. From the E-ton Viper 150cc to Yamaha 350cc, these quads pack a punch and can travel at speeds up to 60mph! Though we recommend that you don’t try to go that fast on the muddy, winding tracks through the Devon countryside! Some experiences are now available to adults with disabilities, get in touch before booking to discuss your requirements.

How long does an excursion last?

Twenty to thirty minutes is an ideal time for a youngster to get a taste of quad biking around a track, but if you’re after a more complete experience, trekking experiences are usually longer. At an off road site you can spend an hour or an hour and a quarter riding across a whole variety of terrains. These sessions will start with a warm-up on a track so that you can get used to the controls, and as soon as you’re ready you’ll be off into the woods and across the fields.

What should you bring the day of the activity?

Did we mention mud? That’s right, part of the fun of quad biking is getting dirty, and while you might be given overalls to protect you from the worst of it, we recommend that you wear old clothes that don’t mind getting splattered. Long sleeves and trousers are a good idea too. Your instructors in Devon will give you a helmet for safety, but you must wear suitable footwear: closed toe shoes are essential, and if they’re waterproof or water resistant that’s even better.

Depending on the weather, you might want to bring sunscreen, a waterproof rain jacket and/or gloves. The weather in Devon can change quickly and your quad bike ride will go ahead in almost all conditions so check the weather forecast and be prepared!

Finally, don’t forget to bring your friends, family or coworkers! Whether it's a birthday party, stag/hen do or corporate event, this is the ideal way to celebrate here.

There it is, the complete guide. If we’ve missed anything, get in touch to ask a question. And if not, just make your reservation today!