Wirral Way overall rating: (Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of) The Wirral Way forms part of the longer Wirral Circular Trail but this is by far the most popular section, being almost completely traffic free. It follows the route of a disused railway, from … Read more
Deerness Valley Railway Path overall cycle route rating: (Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of) The Deerness Valley Railway Path is another old railway line in County Durham that was repurposed as a traffic-free cycling and walking trail, after the railway closed in the mid sixties. … Read more
Formartine and Buchan Way overall cycle route rating: (Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of) The Formartine and Buchan Way follows a disused railway from Dyce (near Aberdeen) to Maud. At Maud, it branches, and you can opt to ride east to Peterhead, or continue … Read more
Alban Way is a six mile long traffic-free cycle route along a disused railway line, linking St Albans with Hatfield. As is usually the case with routes along old railway lines, it’s very flat. The Alban Way cycle route overall rating: (Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to … Read more
Traffic-free gravel routes Lots of people (including me) enjoy gravel routes. Gravel cycling refers to a middle-ground between road cycling and mountain biking, and gravel bikes are generally dropped-bar bikes with chunky tyres. However, for gravel routes, I’m not at all fussed with the type of bike you’ll use to ride the routes. Instead, I’ll … Read more
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 … Read more
Nun’s Cross Trail cycle route overall rating: (Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of) Nun’s Cross Trail runs from Norsworthy Bridge, Burrator to Princetown, 4.5 miles away. It is graded as a Red route, because there is a stretch where you’ll be riding uphill, over … Read more
Princetown Railway cycle route overall rating: (Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of) The Princetown Railway used to run from Plymouth to Princetown. The route that’s described here starts in Princetown and heads to Burrator Reservoir. It is possible to make it an almost entirely … Read more
Saltram Loop Cycle Route Overall Rating: (Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of) The Saltram Loop is a six mile, practically completely traffic-free circular route in Plymouth. It runs right through the Saltram Estate, using part of NCN 27, and is suitable for cycling with … Read more
YOUR help is needed As you may know, I started creating route guides for traffic-free cycling routes in the UK. Though cycling infrastructure in the UK is overall generally quite poor, there are nevertheless some great traffic-free routes. But Sustrans already covers this, don’t they? Many of these traffic-free routes are part of the National … Read more
Waskerley Way Cycle Route Overall Rating: (Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of) The Waskerley Way is a former railway line which was the Stanhope and Tyne railway. It is part of NCN 7 which helps form the long distance Coast 2 Coast route, from … Read more
Bridgwater and Taunton Canal Cycle Route Overall Rating: (Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of) The Bridgwater and Taunton Canal is a 14 mile, mostly traffic-free cycling route. As you’d expect from a canal route, it’s very flat. The route takes you through some stunning … Read more
Whitehaven Rowrah Cycle Trail Overall Rating: (Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of) Built along the route of the Whitehaven, Cleator & Egremont and Rowrah & Kelton Fell Railways, this 11 mile route is traffic-free along most of its length. I started the route as … Read more
St Austell to Mevagissey Cycle Route Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Incorporating part of the Pentewan Valley Trail, and passing right by the Lost Gardens of Heligan, this mostly traffic-free route takes you from St Austell train station to Mevagissey, over a distance of six miles. When starting at the station, there are some on-road sections in … Read more
Camel Trail Cycle Route Overall Rating: (Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of) Camel Trail closure PLEASE NOTE: The Camel Trail is closed between Boscarne and Burlorne for resurfacing, from 02/02/26 to 13/02/26 and again from 23/02/26 to 06/03/26 The Camel Trail in Cornwall, an … Read more