24 cycle routes for 2024

New year, new routes! Start compiling your 2024 to-do list now by browsing our 24 routes to ride this year. From the longer bikepacking challenges to family-friendly rides, we’ve got something for all abilities and tastes.

Some of these routes have been developed by the team here at Cycling UK, which is only possible with the support of our members.

Sign up for membership for the New Year and help us continue to create cycling routes around the UK. You’ll also receive great discounts at cycling and outdoors retailers, third-party insurance, and year-round advice and articles!

Bikepacking routes

1 Rebellion Way, Norfolk

Length: 232 miles/373km
Difficulty: Regular
Type of bike: Gravel, hybrid or a touring bike with larger tyres
Access: Park up in Norwich, or take a train to either Norwich or King’s Lynn

If hills aren’t your thing, the gentle slopes of this route will be highly rewarding. There are options to make it into smaller loops, as well as a linear version, so this is a truly adaptable cycle despite the longer distance for the whole route.

2 King Alfred’s Way, South Downs

Length: 220 miles/354km
Difficulty: Experienced
Type of bike: Gravel bike, potentially touring bikes or hybrids with wide tyres
Access: If you’re starting and finishing in Winchester, the easiest option is to arrive by train. Parking in the city can be tricky, so plan ahead if that’s your preferred option

Although aimed at experienced riders, this isn’t a gruelling route. Mostly encompassing gravel tracks, woods, bridleways and some heathland, it’s a great option if you’re building your riding stamina.

There is history in abundance along the way so if you’d rather take your time, you can split the loop up into sections to tackle as day trips.

3 West Kernow Way, Cornwall

Length: 140 miles/230km
Difficulty: Experienced
Type of bike: MTB
Access: The route starts in Penzance so you’ll either need to get a train, ensuring you’ve made a reservation for your bike in advance, or plan your car parking, especially if you’re taking your trip during the peak tourist season

This route offers some of Cornwall’s most beautiful scenery, ranging from dazzling seaside trails to traditional busy hedgerows, and you even get to tackle the dramatic moorland. Take your time over a few days and enjoy the less touristy areas of the Cornish countryside to take the sting out of the 4,200 metres of climbing!

4 North Yorkshire Moors Ramble

Length: 199 miles/320km
Difficulty: Experienced
Type of bike: Hardtail MTB
Access: Starting and finishing from Whitby train station makes travelling by rail the top choice

This route is ideal for a long weekend taking in the best of the Yorkshire Moors. Along with the famous moorland views, you’ll get to experience singletrack, historic flagstone paths, forest trails, and gravel roads as you make your way around this stunning loop.

Bike centres

Whether you’re cycling as part of a group containing mixed abilities, or you just love the variety of trails, bike centres are a great way to get out to different parts of the country and ride new routes.

5 Glentress Mountain Bike Trails, Borders

Length: Trails start from 2.25 miles/3.5 km
Difficulty: For everyone
Access: Travelling by car is recommended as the nearest train station is Stow, a half-hour drive from the centre

Glentress is one of the 7stanes mountain bike venues. World-class facilities accompany great trail options, with enough variation to suit beginners and experts. Do check trail conditions and availability in advance, especially during the winter when weather conditions can affect them.

6 Okeford Hill Bike Park, Dorset

Length: Trails vary in length and difficulty
Difficulty: This bike park is aimed at intermediate and experienced riders
Access: Travelling by car is recommended. The nearest train stations are Dorchester and Sherbourne, but they remain a distance from the park

If you love your bike parks with variety, this is the one for you. A mixture of ground types – earth, chalk and flint – make for varied trails. Once you’ve added in a slew of man-made features including table-top jumps, rock gardens, and drop-offs, you’ll fall in love with these more technical trails.

7 Forest of Dean Mountain Bike Trails, Gloucestershire

Length: Multiple distances available
Difficulty: Something for everyone
Access: Car is recommended and there is on-site parking. Otherwise, it is accessed by bus from Coleford, Lydney or Cinderford.

If your cycling group or family contains multiple skill levels, this is a great option to keep everyone happy. From short and fast downhill trails covering different terrains, to longer cross-country trails, there is a range of difficulties to ensure everyone has the best day out. For families, there’s the easy-going Colliers Trail.

Sea-to-sea

There’s something satisfying about starting at one side of the country and ending up at another, so it’s no wonder that many sea-to-sea (or C2C as they’re known) routes are a popular choice. We’ve put together a few of our favourites to tackle in 2024, but you can also check out our suggestions for C2C alternatives.

8 Walney to Wear and Whitby

Length: 248.5 miles/399.9 km
Difficulty: Experienced
Type of bike: Touring, trekking or hybrid bike
Access: Train is recommended, and the start point of Walney Island is not far from Barrow train station

If you’re after an alternative C2C route this option allows you to experience some of Cumbria’s finest scenery as well as historic cities such as Durham. Although decent terrain under wheel, with more than 91% asphalt, there are enough hills to ensure it’s not just the distance making it a challenge.

9 Reivers Route: Whitehaven to Tynemouth

Length: 170 miles/274 km
Difficulty: Experienced
Type of bike: Gravel, MTB or tourer.
Access: Northern Rail services Whitehaven train station. Either arrive by train and depart from Tynemouth or take the train back to Whitehaven to collect your car

Challenge-seekers opt for this tough northern C2C option where you get to explore spectacular scenery through fells, forest and moorland. Depending on how many miles you want to get through a day, it could be done over two days, but we’d recommend stretching the journey over three or four days to make the most of the wild countryside. The route takes a more northerly path before heading down into Tynemouth.

10 C2C: Whitehaven to Sunderland

Length: 137.5 miles/221.3km
Difficulty: Experienced/intermediate depending on distance per day
Type of bike: All bikes are suitable
Access: As above

We couldn’t include a sea-to-sea category without mentioning the C2C, now, could we? This traditional route strikes a more direct path towards Tynemouth, and is the most well known of the options. It’s still a long journey, but more achievable over two days if it’s a requirement to complete it in a weekend.

11 Mineral Tramways, Cornwall

Length: 11 miles/17.7km
Difficulty: Easy
Type of bike: Any
Access: Car is preferred. The nearest mainline station is Redruth, but you’d have to get local trains and public transport to get to Portreath

A more family-friendly alternative to the gruelling C2Cs mentioned above, this route straddles one of the narrower parts of Cornwall. Starting at Portreath, you cycle through hugely important mining buildings and features before ending up in the gorgeous Devoran on the south coast.

Climbs

If you’re a big fan of screaming calves and beautiful vistas, hunt down these epic climbs to tick both boxes. If you’re newer to the hillier routes, check out our top 10 hill climbing tips to give you a head-start!

12 Oxnop Scar, Yorkshire Dales

Length: 29.7 miles/47.8km
Difficulty: Experienced
Type of bike: Road
Access: Starting from Hawes, it’s probably best to drive to this one as the nearest train station is Northallerton, a good hour away

It’s no surprise that the Yorkshire Dales provides some of the scenery for the Tour of Britain, with its sweeping roads and dramatic views. If you’re keen to see it for yourself, but with an added challenge, this is the perfect choice. You’ll face steep climbs to both Buttertubs and Oxnop Scar, so it’s not one for the faint-hearted.

13 Bwlch Penbarras, Denbighshire

Length: 26.1 miles/42km
Difficulty: Intermediate
Type of bike: Road
Access: Travelling by car is recommended as the nearest stations of Wrexham and Rhyl require additional public transport to transfer.

Another route with not so challenging numbers on the milometer but calf-straining figures on the climbs. This route traverses the Clwydian Range, a series of peaks in north-west Wales, with hill gradients of 25%, but the views are worth it.

14 Traws Eryri, North Wales

Length: 124 miles/200km
Difficulty: Experienced
Type of bike: Hardtail MTB
Access: Getting a train is recommended due to the linear nature of this route, and there are stations at either end. If you are driving, there are some car parks offering multi-day tickets in Machynlleth and Conwy

This is the one for you if you’re after a route that ticks a whole bunch of boxes along the way. The 4,000 metres of climbing provides a technical challenge that can’t be ignored, but the rewards include long-ranging views of the stunning Welsh scenery and the joy of being so far from the chaos of everyday life.

One-day to overnight options

These routes can be tailored to your ability. If you fancy a challenge, you could achieve them in a day, but if not there’s the option to make a weekend of it.

15 South Downs Overnighter

Length: 110 miles/177km
Difficulty: Regular
Type of bike: Gravel bike
Access: Head to Guildford by either car or train

The South Downs offer spectacular views and wide-ranging trails. This route takes in a variety of terrain, keeping things interesting for the whole trip. By connecting several well-known routes, you end up with the perfect loop through ancient woodland, chalky track and the typical sweeping Downs.

16 Dartmoor Loop, Devon

Length: 46.6 miles/75km
Difficulty: Experienced
Type of bike: Road
Access: With the start point in Exeter, getting the train is ideal. However if you are driving, there is a selection of car parks in the city

It could be easy to dismiss this route’s shorter distance for those used to longer rides, but it’s well worth consideration for the range of difficult climbs on offer. You’ll get to experience some of the very best of Devon: picturesque villages such as Widecombe-in-the-Moor, the iconic Haytor, and sweeping views of stunning, rugged Dartmoor.

17 Norwich Overnighter

Length: 67.7 miles / 109km
Difficulty: Regular
Access: Starting from Norwich again makes this an easily accessible route by train or car.

This route makes a great overnight trip, but it’s also achievable in a day for the more experienced rider. Despite that, you may want to take your time with this one, though, as it makes the most of some of Norfolk’s famous wide open spaces. The terrain varies from lowland singletrack, bridleways and some on-road pedalling.

18 The Great Glen Way, Scotland

Length: 75 miles/120km
Difficulty: Intermediate
Type of bike: Touring, gravel, MTB or cyclo-cross all work, although wider tyres are recommended
Access: There are train stations at both Fort William and Inverness. Domestic flights also arrive at Inverness airport fairly regularly

A popular World Cup location, Fort William is an auspicious starting point for this scenic route along the Great Glen Way. You’ll get a chance to spot Nessie as you cycle alongside Loch Ness, as well as experience the 19th-century Caledonian Canal. With not-too-taxing terrain, it could be achievable in a day for an experienced rider, but we’d recommend stopping somewhere to tackle it over two days.

For Olympics fans

19 London 2012 Olympics Box Hill Route

Length: 79.2 miles/127.5km
Difficulty: Regular
Type of bike: Road
Access: Starting in the heart of London, the easiest train station to depart from is Victoria

If you don’t remember the 2012 Olympics, well, where were you? Now more than 10 years ago, the buzz may have faded, but the fascination with the chosen route for the road race has not. Leaving London and racing through the Surrey Hills, you’ll take on the famous Box Hill climb – making it a must-ride for any road enthusiast. And for the true Olympics fans, the Paris 2024 route has now been released, so if you’re after an excuse to hop on the Eurostar…

Straightforward cycles

A selection of routes that aren’t quite so long or technical for those who are just starting to broaden their cycling horizons. Some of these could be family friendly depending on ability.

20 Downs Link, Guildford to Shoreham

Length: 37 miles/60km
Difficulty: Regular
Type of bike: Any
Access: Another route starting from Guildford, with both parking and a train station for easy arrival

Follow in the now non-existent train tracks of The Downs Link, an old railway line that once carried passengers down to the coast. Today, it is a popular option for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and runners so it truly is a trail for everyone. With a forgiving surface (although it can get muddy in winter) and an achievable distance, this is a great option if you’re just starting out on longer routes.

21 A Dover-Deal Sandwich, Kent

Length: 25 miles/40km
Difficulty: Regular
Type of bike: Gravel, tourer/hybrid or hardtail MTB
Access: Dover is accessible by train or car

The white cliffs of Dover are famous for a reason, but there are other sights to be seen in the area. This route loops out to Deal and back past other important landmarks such as Dover Castle. Both the terrain and distance aren’t too taxing, with most of the route including byways, lanes and surfaced cycle paths.

22 Round the Isle of Wight

Length: 66 miles/106km
Difficulty: Regular
Type of bike: Road
Access: The Isle of Wight is accessed by ferry only, from either Portsmouth (car ferry, foot ferry, and hovercraft), Southampton or Lymington. Bikes are free, but you’ll have to follow the staff’s directions on where to store them for the crossing

The diamond-shaped Isle of Wight is a fabulous destination for an excellent day’s cycling. Within reach of the mainland, its fabulous views are sure to make you feel like you’ve gone abroad. Although much of the ride is straightforward, there are some steep climbs and areas of strong winds.

23 Richmond Park-Windsor Castle loop

Length: 60.2 miles/96.8km
Difficulty: Intermediate
Type of bike: Road
Access: Head to Parson’s Green Station for the start point of this landmark lark

This route is perfect for the cycling enthusiast who’s not had a chance to see some of the classic landmarks in the south of England. Take in famous sights such as the deer in Richmond Park, Henry the VIII’s Hampton Court Palace and the popular Windsor Castle on this road route with a few hills.

24 Bristol to Bath Railway Path

Length: 13 miles/21km
Difficulty: Regular
Type of bike: Any
Access: Travel by train or car to Bristol or Bath depending on which way you’d like to cycle the route (or double the distance by doing it there and back again)

A great option for those gaining confidence or accompanied by family. It’s traffic free and flexible in distance, as you can opt for a train back to the start or go for the out-and-back approach. With only 0.3% of the route being an unsealed surface, it’s straightforward enough with great pubs along the way or at either end.

We’ve tried to include something for everyone in our selection of routes to try out in 2024, but if nothing tickles your fancy or you prefer DIYing it, check out our route planner to sculpt the perfect 2024 ride for you!