Saltram Loop Cycle Route Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 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 children (provided they can ride that distance). In places you will find it hard to believe … 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: ⭐⭐⭐ 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 Whitehaven in Cumbria to Sunderland. The railway used to be the highest standard gauge railway in … Read more
Taunton & Bridgwater Canal Cycle Route Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ The Taunton & Bridgwater 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 Somerset countryside, with the added idyll of a canal route. If taking children along, do ensure … Read more
Whitehave Rowrah Cycle Trail Overall Rating: ⭐⭐ 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 shown on the map below by the Whitehaven train station and it ends at the café … 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: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Camel Trail in Cornwall, an 18 mile link between Bodmin and Padstow, is possibly the UK’s best-known traffic-free cycling route. Once the route of the London and South West Railway, the route offers flat and very scenic cycling. The Camel Trail route mostly follows the Camel River … Read more
Par Beach Trail Cycle Route Overall Grading: ⭐⭐⭐ The Par Beach Trail is a two-mile, mostly traffic-free cycling route that forms part of the Cornish Clay Trails series of routes. The Clay Trails get their name from china clay mining, which helped shape the landscape through which the trails run. Just be aware that cycling … Read more
Thorpe Thewles to Ryhope Cycle Route Overall Grading: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ There is a traffic free route from Thorpe Thewles north to Ryhope, Sunderland which consists of several linked paths and old railway lines. The southern section is the Castle Eden Walk, and the northern section is the Hawthorn to Ryhope Way. The whole route is signed … Read more
Phoenix Trail Cycle Route Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ The Phoenix Trail is an 8 mile, almost entirely traffic-free cycling route in Oxfordshire, linking Princess Risborough with Thame. With the steepest gradient along the route being less than 2%, we can safely call it very flat (as is often the case with trails built on disused railway … Read more
Interactive Map This is a growing collection of traffic-free cycling routes in the UK. To find a route guide, simply click on the various coloured lines on the interactive map. IMPORTANT: This is VERY far from complete, and your help would be wonderful. If there are any routes I’ve not yet listed, please simply add a comment … Read more
Derwent Walk Cycleway Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ The Derwent Walk cycleway is a linear cycling and walking path which runs from the river Tyne in Gateshead to Consett in County Durham. It is signed as NCN14 for the whole way, and is approximately 12 miles long. The route forms part of the national C2C route for … Read more
Centurion Way traffic-free cycle route overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Centurion Way is a 6 mile, mostly traffic-free cycling route that starts in Chichester and runs to West Dean. The South Downs National Park Authority started work to extend Centurion Way through Singleton station, and on towards the South Downs Way. The first stage of that work … Read more
The Solar System Greenway Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Solar System Greenway started out as the York – Selby Track, and mostly follows a disused railway. It is a very flat, mostly traffic-free route of 15.5 miles. The route as shown on the map starts at York station and ends at Selby station. Along the route … Read more
Deeside Way Cycle Route Overall Rating: ⭐⭐ The Deeside Way runs for 45 miles, mostly traffic-free, from Aberdeen to Ballater, on the edge of the Cairngorm mountains. The route gets its name from the river Dee, and is loosely follows the course of the river for most of the way. It forms part of the … Read more
Silkin Way Cycle Route Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ The Silkin Way is a 14 mile long (mostly) traffic-free route in Shropshire, linking Bratton with Coalport, via Telford. There are several on-road segments, along quiet roads, and in Telford also some shared pavements. If you’re going to do only half of this route, I’d suggest the southern … Read more
Downs Link Cycle Route Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ The Downs Link officially starts in Guildford, and runs for 36 mostly traffic-free miles to Shoreham-on-Sea. Most of the route is on disused railway lines, so no steep hills to contend with. The route shown on the map below starts at Shalford, Surrey, and the reason for that … Read more
North Dorset Trailway Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ The North Dorset Trailway is a 9 mile traffic-fee and stunning cycle route, built mostly on a disused railway. It links Sturminster Newton with Blandford Forum, and mostly follows the route of the old Somerset and Dorset Railway. All photos by TessOfTheVale. Also visit her rather good site. Surface … Read more
Oyster Bay Trail & Northern Seawall Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐Running for 17 miles between Whitstable and Margate, this route is mostly traffic-free, with some sections along (normally) quiet roads. As a coastal route, you’re assured stunning sea views almost throughout. However, there’s a price to pay for all that: the route is very exposed and the … Read more
The Monsal Trail Cycle Route Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Monsal Trail, a traffic-free cycle route, is an idyllic destination for family outings, particularly when cycling with kids! This 9-mile scenic trail follows the course of the historic Midland Railway, offering breathtaking views and a serene cycling experience. With four tunnels along the route, each roughly … Read more