Top 20 Cycling Routes in the UK - Top Things In The UK

The United Kingdom is a paradise for cyclists, offering an incredible variety of routes that wind through rolling countryside, hug dramatic coastlines, cross ancient moorlands, and pass through vibrant cities. Whether you are a seasoned road cyclist seeking challenging climbs, a mountain biker craving rugged trails, or a family looking for a gentle traffic-free path, the UK has a route to suit you. From the flat fens of East Anglia to the towering peaks of the Scottish Highlands, these 20 cycling routes represent the very best the country has to offer for two-wheeled adventures.

1. The Camel Trail

Description: The Camel Trail is one of Cornwall's most popular cycling routes, following the course of a disused railway line along the beautiful Camel Estuary from Padstow to Bodmin. The trail offers flat, traffic-free riding suitable for all ages and abilities, with stunning views of the estuary, woodland, and rolling Cornish countryside throughout.
Location: Padstow to Bodmin, Cornwall
Popularity: One of the most visited cycling trails in the UK, attracting over 500,000 users per year and a favourite with families and casual cyclists.
Special Features: Multiple bike hire shops in Padstow and Wadebridge, waterside picnic spots, and the chance to spot wading birds and otters along the estuary. Padstow offers excellent seafood restaurants at the finish.
Link: The Camel Trail

2. Coast to Coast (C2C)

Description: The C2C is one of Britain's most iconic long-distance cycling routes, crossing the full width of northern England from Whitehaven or Workington on the Irish Sea coast to Sunderland or Tynemouth on the North Sea. The 137-mile route traverses the Lake District, the Pennines, and the Durham Dales, offering a magnificent cross-section of English landscapes.
Location: Whitehaven/Workington to Sunderland/Tynemouth, Northern England
Popularity: The most popular long-distance cycle route in the UK, completed by thousands of riders each year and frequently named among the world's best multi-day bike rides.
Special Features: A mix of traffic-free paths, quiet lanes, and some challenging hill climbs. Riders traditionally dip their back wheel in the Irish Sea at the start and their front wheel in the North Sea at the finish.
Link: C2C Cycle Route

3. Hadrian's Cycleway

Description: Hadrian's Cycleway follows the line of the ancient Roman wall across the north of England, running 174 miles from Ravenglass on the Cumbrian coast to South Shields on the North Sea. The route provides a fascinating journey through history alongside beautiful countryside, passing numerous Roman forts and archaeological sites.
Location: Ravenglass to South Shields, Northern England
Popularity: Extremely popular with history enthusiasts and leisure cyclists, forming part of National Cycle Network Route 72 and attracting visitors from around the world.
Special Features: Passes directly through the Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site, with opportunities to visit Vindolanda, Housesteads Roman Fort, and the Roman Army Museum. Largely flat terrain makes it accessible for most fitness levels.
Link: Hadrian's Cycleway

4. The Way of the Roses

Description: Spanning 170 miles from Morecambe on the Lancashire coast to Bridlington on the Yorkshire coast, the Way of the Roses crosses the Pennine backbone of England through some of the country's most spectacular scenery. The route passes through the Forest of Bowland, the Yorkshire Dales, and the Yorkshire Wolds.
Location: Morecambe to Bridlington, Lancashire to Yorkshire
Popularity: One of the UK's most popular coast-to-coast routes, growing rapidly in popularity since its launch in 2010 and attracting riders of all abilities.
Special Features: The route is well-signposted throughout and passes through charming market towns including Settle, Ripon, and York. The Yorkshire Dales sections offer stunning views and rewarding climbs.
Link: Way of the Roses

5. Lon Las Cymru

Description: Lon Las Cymru is the Welsh National Cycle Route, running 250 miles from Holyhead in the north to Cardiff or Chepstow in the south. The route traverses the full length of Wales, passing through Snowdonia, the Cambrian Mountains, and the Brecon Beacons, offering some of the most dramatic cycling scenery in the UK.
Location: Holyhead to Cardiff/Chepstow, Wales
Popularity: The premier long-distance cycling route in Wales, attracting adventurous touring cyclists who relish challenging terrain and breathtaking mountain scenery.
Special Features: Includes significant climbing through mountain passes, particularly in the Snowdonia and Cambrian Mountains sections. The route showcases Welsh culture, language, and hospitality throughout.
Link: Lon Las Cymru

6. The Tissington Trail

Description: The Tissington Trail follows a former railway line through the stunning White Peak area of the Peak District, running 13 miles from Ashbourne to Parsley Hay. The gentle gradient and smooth surface make it ideal for families and casual riders, while the surrounding limestone landscape provides glorious views.
Location: Ashbourne to Parsley Hay, Derbyshire
Popularity: One of the Peak District's most popular recreational cycling routes, well-loved by families and visitors to the national park.
Special Features: Connects with the High Peak Trail at Parsley Hay for a longer ride. The route passes through rock cuttings, over viaducts, and alongside wildflower-rich meadows, with bike hire available at both ends.
Link: Tissington Trail

7. The Great Glen Way

Description: The Great Glen Way cycling route runs 79 miles along the dramatic geological fault line that splits Scotland from Fort William to Inverness. The route follows the shores of a chain of lochs including the famous Loch Ness, offering breathtaking Highland scenery and a genuine sense of wilderness.
Location: Fort William to Inverness, Scottish Highlands
Popularity: One of Scotland's premier cycling routes, attracting both domestic and international visitors drawn by the stunning scenery and the allure of Loch Ness.
Special Features: A mix of towpaths, forest tracks, and quiet roads with optional Loch Ness boat crossings. Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, provides a dramatic backdrop at the start in Fort William.
Link: Great Glen Way

8. The South Downs Way

Description: The South Downs Way stretches 100 miles along the chalk ridge of the South Downs from Winchester to Eastbourne. As a bridleway, it is fully open to cyclists and offers a challenging but hugely rewarding off-road ride with sweeping views across the downs and out to sea.
Location: Winchester to Eastbourne, Hampshire to East Sussex
Popularity: One of the most popular off-road long-distance routes in southern England, attracting mountain bikers and adventure cyclists from across the country.
Special Features: Passes through the South Downs National Park with dramatic views from Butser Hill, Devils Dyke, and the Seven Sisters cliffs. Best suited to mountain bikes or gravel bikes due to the chalk and flint surface.
Link: South Downs Way

9. The Tarka Trail

Description: Named after Henry Williamson's novel Tarka the Otter, this 30-mile trail follows a former railway line through the beautiful North Devon countryside. The main cycling section from Braunton to Meeth offers flat, traffic-free riding along the Taw and Torridge estuaries and through ancient woodland.
Location: Braunton to Meeth, North Devon
Popularity: One of the longest continuous traffic-free cycling paths in the UK, hugely popular with families and leisure cyclists visiting North Devon.
Special Features: Excellent birdwatching opportunities along the estuaries, with bike hire available in Barnstaple and Braunton. The Braunton to Barnstaple section along the Taw Estuary is particularly scenic.
Link: Tarka Trail

10. The North Coast 500 (by bike)

Description: The North Coast 500 is a 516-mile loop around the northern Highlands of Scotland, starting and finishing in Inverness. While famous as a road trip, it has become increasingly popular with touring cyclists who are rewarded with some of the most spectacular and remote scenery in Europe.
Location: Inverness and the Northern Highlands, Scotland
Popularity: One of the world's most iconic road routes, attracting a growing community of cycle tourers seeking an epic multi-day adventure through wild and remote landscapes.
Special Features: Passes dramatic sea cliffs, white sand beaches, ancient castles, and remote Highland villages. The route includes challenging climbs such as the Bealach na Ba pass. Best attempted over 10-14 days by bike.
Link: North Coast 500

11. The Bristol and Bath Railway Path

Description: This 13-mile traffic-free path follows the course of the former Midland Railway between Bristol and Bath. Flat and well-surfaced, it passes through Staple Hill tunnel, the Avon Valley, and peaceful countryside, making it one of the finest urban-to-rural cycling paths in England.
Location: Bristol to Bath, Somerset
Popularity: One of the most used cycle paths in the UK, serving both commuters and leisure riders, with over 2 million trips per year.
Special Features: Connects two of England's most vibrant cities with public art installations along the route, cafes at key stopping points, and seamless connections to both city centres. Ideal as a one-way ride with a return by train.
Link: Bristol & Bath Railway Path

12. The Pennine Bridleway

Description: The Pennine Bridleway is a 205-mile national trail designed specifically for horse riders, cyclists, and walkers. Running along the spine of England from Derbyshire to Cumbria, it offers challenging off-road riding through the dramatic landscapes of the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the North Pennines.
Location: Derbyshire to Cumbria, Northern England
Popularity: A challenging and adventurous route that attracts experienced mountain bikers and off-road touring cyclists seeking wilderness and solitude.
Special Features: Crosses the rooftop of England with sections above 600 metres, offering vast moorland panoramas, limestone dale scenery, and a genuine sense of remoteness. Robust mountain bikes are essential.
Link: Pennine Bridleway

13. The Hebridean Way

Description: The Hebridean Way is a 185-mile cycling route running through the Outer Hebrides from Vatersay in the south to the Butt of Lewis in the north. The route hops between islands connected by causeways and ferries, offering a uniquely remote and beautiful cycling experience.
Location: Vatersay to Butt of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland
Popularity: A bucket-list route for adventure cyclists, offering one of the most remote and atmospheric long-distance rides in the British Isles.
Special Features: Passes white sand beaches, ancient standing stones including the Callanish Stones, and machair grasslands teeming with wildflowers. Inter-island ferry hops add to the adventure. Best ridden June to September.
Link: Hebridean Way

14. Mawddach Trail

Description: The Mawddach Trail is a 9.5-mile traffic-free route that follows the stunning southern shore of the Mawddach Estuary in Snowdonia from Dolgellau to Barmouth. The route offers sublime views of the estuary, surrounding mountains, and the iconic Barmouth Bridge railway viaduct.
Location: Dolgellau to Barmouth, Gwynedd, Wales
Popularity: One of the most scenic short cycling routes in Wales and a highlight for visitors to Snowdonia National Park.
Special Features: Flat and accessible for all abilities, with the dramatic backdrop of Cadair Idris mountain. The route finishes at the seaside town of Barmouth, where riders can cross the historic wooden railway bridge for spectacular panoramic views.
Link: Mawddach Trail

15. The Devon Coast to Coast

Description: The Devon Coast to Coast route runs 99 miles from Ilfracombe on the North Devon coast to Plymouth on the South Devon coast. Following former railway lines, canal towpaths, and quiet lanes, it crosses the full width of Devon through Dartmoor National Park and the beautiful Tarka Trail section.
Location: Ilfracombe to Plymouth, Devon
Popularity: A hugely popular multi-day route that combines the best of Devon's landscapes, from rugged coastline to moorland wilderness, in a manageable distance for most cyclists.
Special Features: Largely traffic-free with significant sections on the Tarka Trail and Granite Way. Passes through Dartmoor with opportunities to detour to historic villages, tors, and wild swimming spots.
Link: Devon Coast to Coast

16. The Cinder Track

Description: The Cinder Track follows the route of the former Scarborough to Whitby railway line along 21 miles of the spectacular North Yorkshire coast. The trail passes through fishing villages, over dramatic viaducts, and through atmospheric tunnels while offering constant views of the North Sea.
Location: Scarborough to Whitby, North Yorkshire
Popularity: A beloved route among visitors to the Yorkshire coast, combining easy cycling with outstanding coastal scenery and characterful seaside towns at each end.
Special Features: Passes through Robin Hood's Bay, one of England's most picturesque fishing villages. The trail surface varies from tarmac to cinder, and the scenic highlights include the viaduct at Larpool and views of Whitby Abbey.
Link: The Cinder Track

17. The Lagan and Lough Cycle Way

Description: This 21-mile route follows the River Lagan from Belfast city centre through peaceful parkland and towpaths to the shores of Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in the British Isles. It offers a gentle, largely flat ride through surprisingly green and tranquil countryside just minutes from the city.
Location: Belfast to Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland
Popularity: One of Northern Ireland's most popular cycling routes, providing an easy escape from Belfast into beautiful rural surroundings.
Special Features: Starts at Belfast's Waterfront Hall and passes through Lagan Meadows nature reserve, the historic village of Lisburn, and alongside the Lagan Navigation canal. Birdwatching opportunities at Lough Neagh.
Link: Lagan and Lough Cycle Way

18. The Kennet and Avon Canal

Description: Following the historic Kennet and Avon Canal for 87 miles from Reading to Bath, this route offers flat, traffic-free towpath cycling through the heart of southern England. The canal passes through the Vale of Pewsey, crosses the Wiltshire Downs, and descends through the spectacular Caen Hill flight of 29 locks.
Location: Reading to Bath, Berkshire to Somerset
Popularity: A classic canal cycling route popular with touring cyclists and families, offering easy flat riding with numerous pubs and tea rooms along the way.
Special Features: The Caen Hill Locks at Devizes are one of the engineering wonders of the canal age. The route passes through charming towns including Hungerford, Marlborough (via a short detour), and Bradford-on-Avon.
Link: Kennet and Avon Canal

19. The Forest of Dean Family Cycle Trail

Description: The Forest of Dean Family Cycle Trail is an 11-mile loop through one of England's most ancient and atmospheric woodlands. The traffic-free route follows former railway lines and forest roads beneath towering oak, beech, and pine trees, with plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities.
Location: Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
Popularity: One of the most popular family cycling destinations in England, drawing visitors from across the Midlands, South Wales, and the South West.
Special Features: The Pedalabikeaway cycle centre offers bike hire for all ages and abilities, including tag-alongs and child seats. The forest is also home to wild boar, deer, and the famous Sculpture Trail featuring large-scale artworks.
Link: Forest of Dean Cycling

20. The Deeside Way

Description: The Deeside Way follows the line of the former Royal Deeside railway for 41 miles from Aberdeen to Ballater in the heart of Royal Deeside. The route passes through the beautiful Dee Valley with views of the Cairngorms, passing through historic towns and near Balmoral Castle, the Scottish royal residence.
Location: Aberdeen to Ballater, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Popularity: A well-loved route in north-east Scotland that combines easy cycling with royal heritage and stunning mountain scenery in the Cairngorms National Park.
Special Features: Passes close to Balmoral Castle and Crathes Castle. The route is largely flat and traffic-free, making it suitable for families. The town of Ballater offers excellent cafes and restaurants for a well-earned finish.
Link: The Deeside Way

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