GUC Paddington Branch Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Originally built to link Paddington with the Grand Union Canal, the Paddington Branch is 13.5 miles long, and offers surprisingly serene cycling in the heart of London. It can get very busy at times, and further along can get rather narrow. Of course, when the Paddington Branch meets the … Read more
The 16.6 mile long Tissington Trail is a disused railway in Derbyshire, and is now a traffic-free cycle path. It follows the route of the old Buxton to Ashbourne railway line, which opened in 1899. Stretching from Ashbourne to Pomeroy, the route offers Victorian railway heritage in abundance. From tunnels to bridges, and spectacular views … Read more
High Peak Trail cycle route overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐ The High Peak Trail is an 18 mile traffic-free cycling route that follows the course of the old Cromford and High Peak Railway. Normally, trails along disused railway lines have gentle gradients, and most of the High Peak Trail is either flat, or has a very gentle … Read more
Peak Forest & Ashton Canals Overall Rating: ⭐⭐ Stretching for 14 miles from Marple into the centre of Manchester, the Peak Forest Canal and Ashton Canal combine to form a delightful traffic-free route. As you’d expect from a canal towpath route, it’s mainly flat, but do take care at several of the bridges where you … Read more
Cinder Track Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ The Cinder Track runs for 21 miles, from Scarborough to Whitby, along a disused railway line. As with most disused railway lines, it’s quite flat. The Cinder Track got its name because the track ballast was made from cinders, rather than the usual crushed stone. The start and end of … Read more
Basingstoke Canal Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ The Saturn Trail is a 9 mile trail along the Basingstoke Canal towpath, in Woking, Surrey.It’s a largely a straight line trail, and as you’d expect from a canal towpath, flat but with gentle increase in height east to west. It is secluded and peaceful, passing houseboats, locks and wildlife. … Read more
The Bowes line is an old railway, which like many others in north East England was built by George Stephenson. It originally ran to carry coal from collieries around Dipton in County Durham down to ships moored on the Tyne in Jarrow. Most of it is now a 10.8 mile walking and cycling route which … Read more
Port Talbot to Kidwelly Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Part of the Celtic Trail, the 34 miles of mostly traffic-free cycling between Port Talbot and Kidwelly is cycling bliss. Just be aware from the outset that it isn’t a continuous traffic-free ride – there are segments on shared pavements, short sections on quieter urban roads, and some … Read more
Prestatyn to Rhos-on-Sea Cycle Route Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ This stunning and mainly flat route of 15.2 miles winds its way from Prestatyn to Rhos-on-Sea, almost entirely traffic-free. I started the route on the map at Prestatyn train station, and ended it just past the Colwyn Bay station. That allows you the option of cycling it … Read more
Marriott’s Way is a shared path of 26 miles, linking Norwich with Aylsham via a circuitous route. As you’d expect from a trail on a disused railway in Norfolk, it’s very flat. There are sculptures or benches at every mile marker, and a bike shop inside the old signal box at the Whitwell and Reepham … Read more
Middlewood Way Cycle Route Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ The Middlewood Way is a disused railway line, running for 10.4 miles between Macclesfield and Marple. As is the case whenever possible, the route starts right by Macclesfield train station, and ends at Marple station. Do note that to catch a train from one station to the other … Read more
Bristol & Bath Railway Path Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Bristol and Bath Railway Path (BBRP for short) was Sustrans’ very first shared path in the UK. It runs – unsurprisingly – between Bristol and Bath and is 16 miles long. Though most of it is entirely traffic-free, the route shown on the map below starts … Read more
Cloud Trail Cycle Route Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ The Cloud Trail runs from the close to the Derby town centre, and runs for 13 miles to Worthington. It starts off following the river Derwent, then follows the Derby Canal Path, before joining a disused railway path. I started this route right from Derby train station, meaning … Read more
Gloucester Canal Path Cycle Route Overall Rating: ⭐⭐ The Gloucester Canal Path is a 16 mile canal path along the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal in Gloucestershire. It is a shared path and popular with walkers and people fishing. It runs from Gloucester to Sharpness. As is expected from a route along a canal, it’s very … Read more
Two Tunnels Greenway Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ The Two Tunnels Greenway got it’s name because (you guessed it!) the route runs through two tunnels. One of those, the Combe Down Tunnel, is just over a mile long, and is the longest tunnel on a traffic-free cycling route in the UK. For the purposes of this guide, … Read more