13 of the best traffic-free cycle rides in UK cities and towns

By Rebecca Armstrong
Three people are standing astride their bikes next to the River Tyne. The BALTIC and Sage and the Tyne bridges can be seen in the background
Traffic-free cycling in Newcastle upon Tyne. Photo: Stewart Prince
Traffic-free riding in cities? Yes, it is possible, and it can be great fun – with plenty of sights to see and cake to be eaten. Content officer Rebecca Armstrong found 13 routes across the UK for you to try out

The UK’s congested cities might not be obvious places to go for a traffic-free cycle ride, but you might be surprised. Our cities and towns have parks, towpaths, former railways and in some cases even forests where cycling is permitted and very enjoyable.

These are all ‘day-out’ rides rather than the kind of segregated cycle lanes we want for cycling to work. They’re suitable for cyclists of all abilities and many are family friendly. So if you live in or near one of these cities or towns, or you’re visiting one soon, why not get out on your bike?

1. Great Stour Way, Canterbury

Start/finish: Canterbury/Chartham
Length: 5km
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Further info

This short route starts at the medieval cathedral city of Canterbury close to the train station. It follows the River Stour to Chartham, a village on the outskirts of the city which is in the North Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

You’ll ride through marshes and meadows on a flat, well-surfaced path, with lovely river views and the chance of wildlife such as kingfishers. There are pubs at Chartham and plenty of eateries in Canterbury.

Cattle are present along the route, so there are cattle grids and wooden kissing gates along the path. The kissing gates have been designed for large mobility vehicles.

2. Tamsin Trail, Richmond Park, London

Start/finish: Sheen Gate
Length: 12km
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Richmond Park is very popular with London and Surrey cyclists. There’s a network of cycle paths and roads you can explore. The Tamsin Trail is an outer circuit of the park; it’s around 12km. It’s a mix of gravel and tarmac terrain and there are a couple of steep climbs. Keep in mind, too, that it’s a shared path with runners and walkers.

At 1,000 hectares, Richmond is the biggest of London’s Royal Parks. It’s home to a host of wildlife, including herds of deer, and there are some spectacular views across London from the hilltops. Colicci at Roehampton Gate is popular with cyclists looking for breakfast, lunch or just coffee and cake.

Make sure you stick to the designated paths. There’s a £60 fine if you’re found cycling where you shouldn’t.

A cyclist is riding along a paved path in a park with trees lining the path. There are two pedestrians in the background walking on the same path
Richmond Park is popular with London’s cyclists

3. London Docklands and Lea Valley

Start/finish: Greenwich/Lea Valley Country Park
Length: 33km
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This ride starts in Maritime Greenwich, next to the Cutty Sark and the Old Royal Naval College. Go under the Thames via the foot tunnel – there are lifts at both ends, but make sure you walk your bike.

You’ll cycle across the Isle of Dogs to the Regent’s Canal, through Mile End and Victoria Parks to the River Lea. Ride up the towpath to Lea Valley Country Park. Head into Cheshunt for a train back to London or for lunch There are pubs and cafés at Greenwich. The Pavilion café in Victoria Park is also a good place to stop.

Victoria Park, with its many paved paths, makes for great accessible and family riding. As well as the Pavilion, there are pubs and the Hub café for refuelling.

4. Birmingham canal paths

Start/finish: Birmingham
Length: 50km in total
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Further info

The city is well known for its extensive network of canals, and has worked with the Canal and River Trust to provide more than 50km of well-surfaced and accessible towpaths. The council is also working to improve access points and lighting and remove any remaining barriers.

You can work out your own route based on what you want to see and how far you want to cycle, or use one of the six downloadable maps provided by the council. These traffic-free paths are a great way to experience nature in the heart of the city, and you’ll never be too far from somewhere to stop for a coffee, lunch or refreshing lemonade.

5. Chester Millennium Greenway

Start/finish: Mickle Trafford/Connah’s Quay
Length: 12km
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This traffic-free route follows the disused railway line from Mickle Trafford to the wharf at Connah’s Quay. Starting in the north-east suburbs of Chester, it heads through the historic city centre to the old wharf on the River Dee. A short detour off the route will take you to Chester’s 13th-century cathedral and the ruins of a Roman amphitheatre.

This is a fairly flat, well-surfaced path with no barriers, making it an accessible route for most cyclists. There are cafés and toilets at both ends of the route.

Two people are sitting on a bench next to a river with two bikes leaning on a lamppost next to them. There's what appears to be the corner of a bandstand in the background
See Chester by bike on the Millennium Greenway. Photo: Sustrans

6. Newcastle upon Tyne to Tynemouth

Start/finish: Newcastle/Tynemouth
Length: 17km
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Part of the long-distance Hadrian’s Cycleway, this route goes through industrial Newcastle and along the River Tyne, with views of the city’s iconic bridges. There’s a great riverside cycle hub with café and repair shop in Newcastle.

It starts near the main train station and Norman castle. There is some on-road riding, but mostly the route follows dedicated cycle lanes through the city and along the river. You’ll go via the Segedunum Roman Fort at Wallsend and the old Swan Hunter shipyard, ending at Tynemouth for fish and chips looking over the North Sea.

7. Cardiff to Castell Coch

Start/finish: Cardiff/Castell Coch
Length: 10km
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This traffic-free route starts at Bute Park in the centre of Cardiff, close to Cardiff Castle and Cathays train station. Follow tarmac paths along the River Taff through the heart of the city to Castell Coch (Red Castle), a 19th-century castle set in ancient beech woodland.

There is a short, but quiet, road section and a steep climb up to the castle. But otherwise this is an easy ride for most cyclists. There are cafés in Bute Park to fuel up before the ride – or afterwards if you decide to come back the same way.

8. Swansea Bike Path

Start/finish: Swansea
Length: 9km
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This family-friendly route follows the sweep of Swansea Bay’s Promenade. It starts at the observatory at the Maritime Quarter and hugs the coastline to Mumbles, where you’ll find plenty of restaurants and cafés and wonderful views of Mumbles Head.

It’s a gentle, flat, traffic-free ride and there’s plenty to keep the kids occupied along the Prom, including a skate park, lido, boating lake and miniature train.

Two people are riding along a path in a park. It's spring and there are lots of daffodils in the foreground
Glasgow’s Pollok Park is on NCN 7 and 75. It’s also home to several mountain bike trails. Photo: Ronnie Paton

9. Pollok Park mountain bike trails, Glasgow

Start/finish: Glasgow
Length: various
GPX: none available
Further info

Pollok Park is Glasgow’s biggest park and the only Country Park in the city. It features a range of mountain biking and mixed-use trails – there’s sure to be something for everyone. The Green Circuit is an ideal introduction to off-road cycling. The red-rated Pollok DH is a more challenging downhill trail with technical elements.

There’s a restaurant at the Burrell Collection, a museum and art gallery. There are also walking trails, an orienteering course, gardens and a play park for when you’re done cycling.

10. Edinburgh city centre to the shore

Start/finish: Edinburgh
Length: 3km
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This short ride starts at Scotland Street in the heart of Edinburgh. It follows an off-road cycle path through the city to the shore at Leith. There are plenty of cafés and restaurants in Leith, as well as the Royal Yacht Britannia, which has a tearoom.

Edinburgh has a wider network of traffic-free cycle lanes. Use the map to combine several into a longer ride if you want something more challenging.

11. Duthie Park to Newton Dee, Aberdeen

Start/finish: Aberdeen
Length: 7km
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Starting at the Polmuir Road entrance to Duthie Park, this easy family-friendly ride marks the start of the Deeside Way, a 66km trail through rural Aberdeenshire to Ballater in the Cairngorms National Park.

This short section is traffic free, well surfaced and flat, making it ideal for younger or beginner cyclists. There are plenty of eating places along the way, with cafés at both ends of the route.

Two people are riding mountain bikes on an off-road track through a forest
The trail centre at Barnett Demesne has tracks suitable for beginner to more advanced mountain bikers

12. Barnett Demesne Trails, Belfast

Start/finish: Belfast
Length: various
GPX: see links below to access GPX files for individual trails
Further info

Set in the heart of Lagan Valley Park, just south of central Belfast, the centre has a total 9km of trails. The 1.7km linear green trail runs parallel to the River Lagan. This wide path with gentle inclines is ideal for families or those new to mountain biking.

The 4km blue trail is a tight, winding singletrack ideal for those with a bit more confidence, while the 2km red trail offers more technical features such as elevated boardwalk, log rides, berms, rock gardens, rollers and drops.

The centre also boasts Ireland’s first official purpose-built jumps park, with six lines of table-tops, doubles and hip jumps.

13. Londonderry greenways

Start/finish: Londonderry
Length: various
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Part of the larger North West Greenway Network, which aims to create 46.5km of cross-border cycle routes connecting counties in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, Londonderry’s greenways provide traffic-free cycling throughout the city.

The greenways pass through green space, often running along old railways, canal towpaths, riverbanks and forest paths. Cycle along the 2.7km Strathfoyle Greenway, which links with Waterside Greenway for a scenic ride along the River Foyle. Alternatively, use the map to create your own route.

Cycling routes Hobby or leisure

Further reading