On your bike: Britain’s best cycling routes
For an energetic yet intimate way to see Britain’s best sights - get on your bike. From mountains to moorland, rolling hills to sandy beaches, everything is accessible on two wheels. With cycle paths running from country to coast, there’s a route for everyone. Whether it’s a cross-country adventure or exploring a city from your saddle, here’s a few routes to get you in gear.
Tissington Trail, Peak District National Park
The Peak District is one of the most popular National Parks in Britain and the best way to see it is on two wheels. You can follow the dramatic Derbyshire landscape on the magnificent Tissington Trail. At 13 miles (21 km) it follows the line of an old railway from Buxton to Ashbourne and so is suitable for individuals or families. You’ll be able to take in grand views across the lush green dales of the White Peak near Alsop-en-le-Dale, not to mention soaking up the peaceful atmosphere in the stunning village of Tissington itself, which is a great place to stop for lunch.
Lôn Las Cymru, Wales
For a real challenge, Lôn Las Cymru passes through the heart of Wales from Cardiff to Anglesey through the Brecon Beacons National Park and Snowdonia National Park. The full route is 243 miles (392 km), but it is split into two, north and south paths. If you’re an experienced cyclist used to challenging trails, it’s one of the most rewarding routes you can do, as the terrain you cover - towering mountains, lush green valleys and forests, ancient coach roads and railway paths - is truly the stuff of adventure. Not to mention great photographs.
Exmoor Cycle Route, Exmoor National Park
Dramatic coastline and beautiful hidden beaches. Add sweeping moorlands dotted with wild ponies and you have just some of the sights rewarded to cyclists on the Exmoor National Park route. The Exmoor Cycle Route is a challenging 62-mile (101 km) circuit running through some of Exmoor’s prettiest parts, and is a great introduction to the Somerset and Devon countryside. Starting at Minehead, you’ll pass through grand chestnut forests and along the dramatic North Devon coast. From there you can glance across the Bristol Channel to the coast of South Wales. Be warned: the hills are big, but so are the rewards.
Isle of Arran, Scotland
Cycling-fans love the Isle of Arran, off the stunning west coast of Scotland. Arran has beautiful rolling hills and may seem small but is packed to the seams with all manner of trails ranging from easy to severe, so there’s something for everyone. From road-cycling to mountain-biking and gravel-riding, it’s a cyclist’s paradise. The distances vary too, from simple six-mile (10 km) trails if you’re on a family day out, to 21-mile (34 km) trails with extreme hills for those looking for more of a challenge.
Yorkshire Dales Cycleway, Yorkshire Dales National Park
The Yorkshire Dales National Park, with its ancient landscape of river valleys and magnificent hills, criss-crossed by drystone walls, bucolic villages and towns, is a dream come true for cyclists, and full of cycle routes from short to challenging. One of the most unforgettable is the Yorkshire Dales Cycleway, a challenging 130-mile (210 km) circular route that starts and finishes in Skipton and takes up to six days. You can also choose shorter sections for day rides.
Windermere Bike Ride, Lake District National Park
The beautiful Lake District National Park is among the most popular places to visit in the UK, and Lake Windermere its most famous lake. One of the most enjoyable ways of seeing the region which so inspired William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter, is by bike. There is a 28 mile (45 km) circular route around Windermere, through the villages of Ambleside, Grasmere and Elterwater, or plenty of shorter family-friendly trails along either side of the water.
Causeway Coast Cycle Route, Northern Ireland
With breathtaking views of the North Atlantic coast from Castlerock to the famous Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, The Causeway Coast Cycle Route is a bucket-list bike ride. The route is 23 miles (37 km) and is full of spectacular sea views, including over to Scotland’s Mull of Kintyre. It finishes in the geological formation Giant’s Causeway, a World Heritage Site.
Discover Britain on two wheels
Exploring new places from your saddle has never been easier. For the saddle-sure, there’s the likes of the 14-day adventure from Land’s End to John O’Groats - a ride of 874 miles (1,407 km) from the bottom of Britain to the top. But there’s plenty for the saddle-shy too. Check out forest trails or action-packed mountain-biking adventures, city sightseeing tours to gin-tasting on wheels, history trails to well-being tours including anything from yoga to forest bathing. Whether you’re peddling through the heart of Wales, mountain-biking the aretes of Arran, or simply coasting along the cliffs of south England, Britain is brimming with pedal-powered possibilities.
See Britain's cities by bike
Pedal past iconic landmarks in London
If you are after a guided-bike tour of London, you’re spoilt for choice. In addition to a Discover London Tour using classic British Raleigh bikes, Red Bike Tours also offers a private tour option, complete with a personal concierge service. Fat Tire Tours features specialised routes around Royal London, while those looking to discover a different side to the capital can take an Alternative London Bike Tour of the vibrant East End.
For an independent adventure, rent one of the many Santander bikes in docking stations all over London and head off along the Thames Path, especially the six-mile (10 km) section from Battersea Park to Tower Bridge. This largely traffic-free path allows you to take in major landmarks such as the Tower of London, the Houses of Parliament and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Soak up the seaside in Brighton
Head down to Brighton on England’s south coast for a quintessentially British beach break. You can take in the sights with Brighton Bike Tours, hire a Californian-style cruiser from Brighton Beach Bikes, or simply discover the streets on a BTN Bike, the city’s bike-sharing scheme.
Don’t miss the 10-mile (16 km) stretch of the National Cycle Network, linking the village of Rottingdean to Shoreham Port. Hugging the coastline, this route provides striking cliff-top views and passes Brighton’s vibrant marina, the iconic West Pier and plenty of traditional beach huts.
See local heritage in Bristol
Bustling Bristol is a brilliant city to get around by bike. Cycle the City offers classic sightseeing tours, or you can create your own itinerary with a bike from Bristol Cycle Shack or the bike-sharing scheme The Big Issue E-Bikes.
The Bristol Docks Cycle Loop, takes in views of the Clifton Suspension Bridge and Bristol Cathedral, as well as several harbour-side eateries. Or you could head to the coast along the 11-mile (18 km) Bristol to Portishead route, passing the splendid Queen Square and travelling under the famous suspension bridge along the Avon Gorge.
Meander through the metropolis of Manchester
The uber-cool metropolis of Manchester has created the Bee Network, the UK’s largest cycling and walking network, with a bike-sharing scheme. Manchester Bike Hire is also available if you want to nip across the city on two wheels.
One of Manchester’s more established cycle routes is the Ashton Canal Cycleway, offering six miles (10 km) of traffic-free cycling between the city centre and Ashton-under-Lyne. Starting from Piccadilly Gardens, this canal-side path passes the National Cycling Centre velodrome, Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium and the living history museum of Clayton Hall.
Cycle around the bay in Cardiff
The Welsh capital, Cardiff, is a compact city that lends itself nicely to sightseeing by bike, particularly around Cardiff Bay, its revitalised docklands with a lively waterfront. Cardiff’s city-wide cycle scheme, OVO Bikes, allows you to easily rent pedal and electric bikes via an app, while accessible bike hire is also available at the Pedal Power centres.
A lovely cycle route is the four-mile (seven km) circular trail from Cardiff Bay to the seaside town of Penarth. This leisurely route crosses the Pont y Werin (The People’s Bridge) and is traffic-free.
Head through history in Edinburgh
Edinburgh Bike Tours has a range of options for exploring the Scottish capital. This includes a 20-mile (32 km) historic buildings and hidden trails adventure and a shorter tour around Holyrood Park, the Royal Mile and Scottish Parliament. You can hire mountain, road or electric bikes from the central Cycle Scotland.
A stand-out route through Edinburgh makes up part of the National Cycle Network’s Route 1. Picked up near Haymarket train station, the four-mile (six km) stretch takes in the shopping district of George Street and parts of Old Town, passing Edinburgh University and the peaceful George Square Gardens. It then joins the Innocent Railway Path tunnel, which passes under the extinct volcano, Arthur’s Seat. From there, you can continue onto Duddingston Loch, the only natural freshwater loch in Edinburgh.