Rutland Water cycle route overall rating:
(Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of)
Rutland Water is an artificial reservoir, created in the 70’s. There is a mostly traffic-free cycle route that circles it, offering stunning views along the way. Though not extremely hilly, the route still contains some hills that will challenge you a bit.
Surface on the Rutland Water cycle route
Once you get close to the Rutland Water cycle trail, the route is mainly self-compacted gravel, with significant stretches or tar, and is rideable all year round. There are short stretches on (normally) quiet lanes, and the route from Oakham train station is either on-road, or on a segregated, tarred cycle trail alongside a major A-road.
Bikes
Road bikes will struggle, and you’ll be better off on something with chunkier tyres.
Trikes, bikes with trailers and most cargo bikes will struggle, and tandems will struggle with at least one chicane.
Toilets
There are toilets at the train station at Oakham, at Barnsdale Woods (4 miles in, slightly off-trail), at the Aqua Park, by the Funky Fox café, at the Crazy Fox café, and at the Horse and Jockey pub.
Refreshments
You have multiple options for refreshment stops, mainly listed under Toilets.
Hilliness
This route is mostly flat, but does include a 7% climb.
Points of Interest
You’ll want to stop at Normanton church, and there are plenty of views, at various points along the route.
Routes in Rutland
Barriers
There at least one tight chicane barrier along the route, as well as several spring-latched gates. People who cannot dismount may find it impossible to open the gates.
Child friendliness
While some sections of the route certainly are suitable for even young kids, overall, this route is better suited for older kids.
Social safety
Some parts of the route can be somewhat isolated.
Safety from traffic
As shown on the map, the route starts and ends at Oakham train station, and therefore includes some on-road sections, as well as sections on shared paths, alongside roads that can get busy.
Ratings
Forecast for the Rutland Water cycle route
What the Rutland Water cycle route looks like
Getting to the Rutland Water cycle route
The route as shown on the map below starts at Oakham station, so you can easily get to the start car-free, by taking your bike on the train. As ever, read my Bikes On Trains guide for useful and helpful tips for taking your bike on the train.
More Routes
To find more routes, click this link.
DayCycle
DayCycle routes are routes can can easily be cycled by most people in a day, or part of a day. Do have a look at all the other DayCycle routes available on WillCycle.
Interactive map for the Rutland Water cycle route
And finally…
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