25 great cycle routes for 2025

It’s time to start looking for new routes to ride in 2025. Whether you’re looking for shorter, traffic-free rides that are suitable for kids or less experienced riders or multi-day tours, we’ve got a great selection of 25 cycle rides to get you started.

Family-friendly rides

These are shorter rides on flat surfaces and mostly traffic free. They’re ideal for families, younger or less experienced riders. We’ve also looked for ones without physical barriers and wider paths and roads to make them more accessible to those on non-standard cycles.

1. Leeds and Liverpool Canal cycle route

Length: 15km/9.3 miles
Difficulty: easy
Type of bike: any
Access: start and finish at Reedley Marina, Burnley. The nearest train station is at Briarfield
More information: Canal and River Trust

This there-and-back-again route wends its way along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. It starts at Reedley Marina, going through Briarfield and Nelson to the halfway point at Pendle Heritage Centre.

It’s an easy 15km on flat, mainly tarmacked towpath and cycle paths that are suitable for all cycles. Along the way you’ll discover much of the area’s industrial history as well as plenty of wildlife.

The centre has a museum where you can learn about the infamous Pendle witches, gardens and a tearoom where you can stop for lunch before turning round and cycling back to the marina.

2. Wicken Fen to Anglesey Abbey

Length: 26km/16 miles
Difficulty: easy to moderate
Type of bike: hybrid, mountain bike or gravel bike
Access: start and finish at Wicken Fen; for a shorter ride you can end at Anglesey Abbey but the closest train stations are some 10km/6 miles away. There’s parking at Wicken Fen and the closest train station is at Soham, 5km/3 miles away
More information: Wicken Fen National Trust

This longer route is suitable for older children and those with stronger cycling legs. It’s all off road, but much of it is unsurfaced, on gravel tracks, so won’t be suitable for all cycles.

It starts at the National Trust nature reserve Wicken Fen, which has a café and is a great place to spot wildlife. You follow National Cycle Network route 11 though the fens to another National Trust property, Anglesey Abbey, where you’ll find a restaurant where you can refuel for the ride back.

Both National Trust sites have accessible parking, toilets and trails.

3. Richmond to Hampton Court Palace

Length: 12km/7 miles
Difficulty: easy, but there is some riding on quiet roads
Type of bike: any
Access: start at Richmond station and end at Hampton Court Palace, close to Hampton Wick station
More information: All Trails

Start at Richmond train station and ride on quiet roads to Richmond Green and then on to the Thames towpath. The route then takes you along the River Thames on flat, wide, tarmacked paths, some of which are separated from pedestrians, while other sections are shared use.

You’ll go through parks and nature reserves including Ham Lands, home to the National Trust’s Ham House, where there’s a café if you need to stop and fuel up.

The towpath is popular with walkers and cyclists so be prepared for encountering lots of other people, especially in summer.

End at Hampton Court Palace, where you’ll find extensive gardens and parkland to explore as well as cafés and kiosks where you can buy food and drink. Hampton Wick train station is close by, or you could cycle back to Richmond for a longer ride.

4. The Peregrine Path

Length: 12km/7.5 miles
Difficulty: easy
Type of bike: most, but be aware that some of the path is on hard-packed unsurfaced trails and a very short section is on unsealed loose tracks
Access: start at Monmouth and finish at Symonds Yat. Unfortunately there are no train stations close by
More information: Sustrans

This family-friendly, short and mainly traffic-free ride straddles the border between England and Wales, winding its way along the River Wye. It’s a gentle ride through the steeply wooded Wye Valley, bookended by the famous viewpoints of Symonds Yat Rock and the Kymin.

The latter offers panoramic views across Wales, while you might spot nesting Peregrine Falcons at Symonds Yat.

5. Florence Court House, Enniskillen

Length: various
Difficulty: easy/moderate
Type of bike: any
Access: 8 miles south-west of Enniskillen; parking available including accessible. The nearest bus stop is a 2-mile walk. The site is on NCN route 91
More information: National Trust

There are miles of family-friendly trails to explore so you can find something to suit the ability of your group. The Blue Trail is a very gentle and suitable for all riders. The Red Trail is more challenging, with a steep climb rewarding you with views Fermanagh’s mountains and lakes. There are also some fun downhill stretches.

Balance bikes are available for free for the youngest riders. Adults and older kids can hire bikes. The Stables Tearoom is ideal for a light lunch or snack. Take some time to visit the gardens and house.

Long-distance routes

These are more challenging, multiday rides ideal for touring or bikepacking. They’re usually a mix of both road and off-road riding. You can choose to ride the whole route or part, as leisurely or as fast as you want.

6. Pennine Bridleway

Length: 330km/205 miles
Difficulty: challenging
Type of bike: mountain bike
Access: starts at Middleton Top, Derbyshire, and ends at Ravenstonedale, Cumbria. Nearest train stations are Cromford and Kirby Stephen, respectively, but you’ll need transport to and from these
More information: National Trail

This long-distance National Trail runs through the spectacular scenery – and steep climbs! – of the Pennines from Derbyshire to Cumbria. It follows ancient drovers’ roads and packhorse trails and have been in use for centuries as well as newly created tracks.

The route is largely off road, with a mix of surfaces some of which can be challenging, especially in inclement weather. Be prepared for steep climbs and tricky downhills. There are plenty of eating places, hotels and camping sites along the way, but some sections further north are remote so make sure you have everything you need with you.

If you don’t fancy the whole thing, the Mary Towneley Loop, at 76km/47 miles, and Settle Loop, at 16km/10 miles, offer shorter options.

7. Marcher Castles Way

Length: 290km/181 miles
Difficulty: challenging
Type of bike: mountain bike
Access: starts and ends at Shewsbury, where there’s a train station
More information: Cycling UK

Cycling UK’s newest route was partly funded by members and the wider public – thank you to everyone who donated, we couldn’t have created this route without you.

The ride crosses the England/Wales border eight times, and while it’s shorter than our other long-distance routes, it shouldn’t be underestimated. It includes around 5,000m (16,500ft) of climbing! But those ascents are rewarded with some of the most spectacular views that England and Wales can offer.

You’ll ride through historic towns, the area’s industrial heritage, quiet countryside and beautiful scenery. The 96km/60-mile taster loop provides an excellent introduction to the full route.

8. Kingfisher Trail

Length: 238km/148 miles
Difficulty: intermediate to challenging
Type of bike: road, tourer, hybrid
Access: start and finish at Enniskillen Visitor Centre
More information: Sustrans

Ireland’s first long-distance cycle trail follows minor country roads through the border counties of Fermanagh, Leitrim, Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan. The route forms a rough figure of eight, so you could choose to ride just one loop.

It mostly sticks to quiet country roads and is mostly flat, with a few undulating climbs. You’ll ride through some of Northern Ireland’s and the republic’s most beautiful countryside, with stunning loughs, ancient castles and even cave along the way.

9. Wolf Way

Length: 400km/248 miles
Difficulty: challenging
Type of bike: gravel or adventure bike
Access: start and finish at Bury St Edmunds, where there is a train station and plenty of places to stay, restaurants, pubs and cafés
More information: Cycling UK

This mostly off-road route was created by Chris Bower and Sharon Calton, having been inspired by Cycling UK’s own Rebellion Way. They wanted to show off the spectacular riding in their home county, the way Rebellion Way does for Norfolk, and with advice and support from Cycling UK and Suffolk County Council, Wolf Way was born.

The route is designed to be accessible to riders of all levels. It takes you through beautiful heathland rich with wildlife, like the stone-curlews at Cavenham Heath, wading birds at Minsmere, and Exmoor ponies helping to re-wild Knettishall Heath. Suffolk has 142 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and you’ll pass close to many of these.

10. The John Muir Way

Length: 216km/134 miles
Difficulty: challenging
Type of bike: mountain or sturdy hybrid, gravel bike or tourer
Access: starts at Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute, and ends at Dunbar, East Lothian. There are train stations at both points
More information: The John Muir Way

This coast-to-coast route crosses central Scotland, linking Helensburgh on the west coast with Dunbar, birthplace of John Muir, on the east. Muir is known as America’s ‘father of national parks’ and this ride goes through Scotland’s own first national park, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs.

It takes in woodland, beaches, canals and rivers, urban parks and even Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh. You’ll discover ancient history, World Heritage sites, industrial landscapes and stunning views.

The route mostly follows off-road paths and quiet lanes, although some sections are busier. Some parts are very steep with rough and challenging surfaces.

Road rides and events

Hit the tarmac with these road-based rides, some of which are organised events such as sportives or audaxes. The events take place on specific dates and require registration, but there’s nothing stopping you riding the route on any other day.

11. London to Cambridge

Length: 107km/66 miles
Difficulty: intermediate
Type of bike: road, any
Access: start at Victoria Park in London and end at Cambridge station to get the train back to the capital
More information: routes.cc

London to Cambridge is one of the most popular routes for those wanting a moderately challenging road ride. It’s mostly flat and on quiet country roads through pretty towns and villages where you can stop for coffee and cake or lunch.

There are several routes you can follow. This one starts at Victoria Park in London’s east end, where you can treat yourself to breakfast at Pavilion Café before setting out. There are plenty of pub stops along the way, but please note that Bicicletta in Saffron Walden is now Waffle + Coffee.

There are plenty of eating places at Cambridge station where you can refuel before taking the train back to London. Unless you fancy heading back by bike – if you take the Liverpool Street line, I’ve got off at Roydon in the past to add a bit of extra riding.

12. Three classic climbs loop: the Struggle, Honister and Wrynose

Length: 139km/86 miles
Difficulty: challenging
Type of bike: road
Access: start and finish at Waterhead, Cumbria, where there are B&Bs and hotels. Unfortunately, public transport is thin on the ground in the Lake District and the closest train station is at Windermere
More information: Komoot

This challenging road ride takes in three of the UK’s 100 greatest climbs: the Struggle, Honister Pass and Wrynose Pass. There’s a total of 2,440m of climbing, as well as a distance of 139km. You might want to split this over two or three days!

You will be rewarded with dramatic mountain views, gorgeous Lakeland landscapes and pretty villages via quiet, single-lane roads. The steep climbs are offset by fun descents, some of which are quite technical. There are pubs and cafés in many of the villages, but some of the route is quite remote.

13. Wild Wales Challenge

Length: 153km/95 miles or 105km/65 miles
Difficulty: challenging
Type of bike: road, any, low gears are advised
Access: starts and ends at Bala rugby club
More information: Merseyside CTC

Organised on behalf of Merseyside CTC, 2025 marks the 41st edition of this classic sportive. The route varies each year, but it always takes in a lot of climbing along with plenty of glorious Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park countryside.

The sportive takes place on 24 August and registration costs £45. This includes lunch and food at various locations on the route. Please note, the roads aren’t closed so take care along the way. The route takes in some of the highest and wildest parts of North Wales.

There are two routes to choose from; the longer one has 3,353m of climbing, the shorter, 2,134m. One Cycling UK member rode the challenge in 2023 with his family.

14. Etape Loch Ness 2025

Length: 106km/66 miles
Difficulty: intermediate
Type of bike: road
Access: starts and finishes at Inverness, where there is a train station and plenty of places to stay, restaurants, pubs and cafés
More information: sportive.com

Scotland’s biggest closed-road sportive takes place on 27 April this year. Entry to the 106km ride is £77 and registration is open now.

You’ll ride with thousands of other cyclists on closed roads around Loch Ness, taking in spectacular scenery and, of course, keeping an eye out for the monster. The route goes through the villages of Drumnadrochit and Invermoriston to Fort Augustus, where it crosses the historic Caledonian Canal and heads back to Inverness.

15. Glenariff Forest loop from Ballymena-Antrim Coast & Hills AONB

Length: 73km/45 miles
Difficulty: intermediate
Type of bike: road
Access: starts and ends close to Ballymena train station. There a plenty of places to stay and food and drink
More information: Komoot

This shorter ride follows quiet, mainly well-surfaced roads through the stunning scenery of Glenariff Forest to the Antrim coast. The coastline and glens are an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty so you can expect some amazing views and dramatic ruined castles and churches, as well as the opportunity to spot wildlife.

There are only 690m of climbing, but there are still some fun, flowing descents through Glenariff. Waterfoot is a good place to stop for food and a rest, while taking in the sea air.

Mountain bike trails and centres

Trail centres are a dedicated single-site location with a visitor centre and facilities, often including bike hire, with several waymarked trails of varying difficulty. The trails are graded by colour so you’ll know which are suitable for you.

16. Haldon Forest Park

Length: 22.6km/14.4 miles waymarked trails
Difficulty: easy to difficult
Type of bike: mountain bike
Access: located about 10 miles south of Exeter, there is parking at the centre, but it isn’t served by public transport
More information: Forestry England

Open all year round, this forest mountain bike centre in Devon offers great scenery and dense forest on a variety of trails. There are several waymarked trails, from green (easy) to black (severe), so there’s something for all abilities. The pump track and skills area mean you can practice your off-road riding.

You can hire bikes from Forest Cycle Hire; this includes e-bikes and non-standard cycles. The shop also run guided mountain bike tours; this must be pre-arranged. The Ridge Café offers breakfasts, lunches, cakes and snacks.

17. Afan Forest Park

Length: 222km/138 miles waymarked trails
Difficulty: easy to difficult
Type of bike: mountain bike
Access: Port Talbot is about 6 miles away; there’s a train station and places to stay. There’s parking at the nearby village of Pontrhydyfen
More information: Afan Forest Park

The Rookie trail (green) is ideal for beginners, while Blue Scar (blue) is for those who are ready to progress their skills. However, this South Wales-based centre is best for more advanced riders, with many kilometres of red trails, with steep rocky climbs, flowing singletrack descents, stunning forest roads and more. There’s also W2 – 44km of black trails for those really looking for a challenge.

There’s also bike hire, a café, a visitor centre and a bike park where you can practice your mountain biking skills.

18. Sherwood Pines

Length: 31km/19 miles waymarked trails
Difficulty: easy to difficult
Type of bike: mountain bike
Access: Mansfield, where there’s a train station, is about 6 miles away. There’s parking on site; charges apply
More information: Forestry England

Located in the heart of Sherwood Forest, this centre has three well-maintained trails. The green-graded Maid Marion is 6.4km/4 miles ideal for families and beginner mountain bikers.

The red-graded Outlaw trail is 13km/8 miles of singletrack through woodland, heathland and clear fell sites. This technical trail flows with berms and rollers with a nice mix of rocks and roots. The Skills Loop is a safe, easy and traffic-free place to start your mountain biking journey, or you can show off your skills at the Dirt Jump and Downhill Zones.

Light lunches and snacks are available from the café. There’s also a bike hire centre.

19. Glenlivet Trail Centre

Length: 42km/26 miles waymarked trails
Difficulty: easy to difficult
Type of bike: mountain bike
Access: the closest town is Tomintoul, where there are places to stay as well as restaurants and pubs. There’s no public transport but parking is available; charges apply
More information: Bike Glenlivet

Nestled within Scotland’s beautiful Cairngorms National Park, and part of the Glenlivet Estate, this trail centre offers flowing singletrack, fun descents and climbs through spectacular scenery and stunning views.

The blue trails are ideal for families and less experienced riders, while the red trail offers a much more challenging ride up to the heights of Carn Daimh. The orange trails will appeal to more experienced riders with technical ability.

There’s also a café, bike hire and a zip wire if you want a shot of adrenaline off the bike.

20. Castlewellan Mountain Bike Trails

Length: 26.5km/16.5 miles
Difficulty: easy to difficult
Type of bike: mountain bike
Access: located in Castlewellan, Co Down, where there are hotels, pubs, cafés and restaurants. There’s parking at the centre
More information: MountainBikeNI

Part of Castlewellan Forest Park, the mix of trails here take in views of the forest, Castlewellan Lake and a Victorian castle. The green trail hugs the lake shoreline and passes under the shadow of Castlewellan Castle. It’s a gentle ride on wide tracks.

For the more adventurous, there’s 15km/9.3 miles of red trails, with two optional black routes. These offer a more technical ride rewarded with incredible views of the Mourne Mountains.

Bike hire is available. There’s no café but you are just a few minutes from the centre of Castlewellan.

From the forum

If you’re looking for great routes, who better to ask than the people who ride them? We asked members of the Cycling UK Forum to share some of their favourite routes and here’s a small selection of the best.

21. Wiltshire Cycleway

Suggested by: Carlton green
Length: 255km/160 miles
Difficulty: intermediate/challenging
Type of bike: road, hybrid
Access: suggested start and end point is Bradford-upon-Avon, where there are plenty of places to stay, pubs, cafés and restaurants and a train station
More information: Wiltshire Council and Sustrans

Devised by Wiltshire Council, this route circles the county on lightly trafficked country roads through the historic Wiltshire landscape. You can tackle the whole thing in one go, or try one or more of the 16 sections.

Highlights include Bradford-upon-Avon with its medieval buildings and old stone bridge, Salisbury Cathedral and Malmesbury’s Norman abbey. You’ll also pass within a few miles of Stonehenge if you wanted a detour.

22. Pyrenees Coast-to-Coast

Suggested by: Richard Fairhurst
Length: 650km
Difficulty: challenging
Type of bike: road with wider, hard-wearing tyres or gravel bike
Access: starts at Biarritz and finishes at Le Barcarès. TGV trains run to Biarritz and Perpignan stations
More information: France Velo Tourisme

This long-distance tour goes from Biarritz on the Atlantic coast east to the Mediterranean shores of Barcarès via the Pyrenean foothills. It’s mostly on quiet country roads and there are some traffic-free sections on former railways.

There’s plenty of climbing and you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of the Pyrenees. There are villages along the way where you can stop over night or grab a bite of that famous French cuisine.

Richard Fairhurst said: “A perfect combination of country lanes, rail trails, medieval towns and some really stunning mountain scenery, but the hills were forgiving enough that I could ride it on a folding bike. Deserves to be much better known.”

23. Haltwhistle to Alston Cycle Route

Suggested by: Paulatic
Length: 21km/13 miles
Difficulty: intermediate
Type of bike: gravel or touring bike
Access: start at Haltwhistle, where there’s a train station and places to eat and stay. The route ends at Alton. There’s no train station but you can stay overnight and head back to Haltwhistle the next day
More information: GPS Routes

Part of the South Tyne Trail, this largely traffic-free route follows a disused railway line. It offers views of the River South Tyne and Lambley Viaduct, an impressive Victorian railway bridge. It runs through the North Pennines AONB so be prepared for spectacular views.

Much of the ride is on unsurfaced tracks so can get muddy. Short detours will take in sights such as Featherstone Castle, a Gothic-style country mansion, and Whitley Castle Roman Fort. Check out South Tynedale Railway for a steam train ride and café.

Paulatic commented: “Great views along the way, steam trains and cafe at the Alston station and if you time it right the Wallace Arms is open on the way back.”

24. Monsal Trail

Suggested by: roubaixtuesday
Length: 14.4km/8.9 miles
Difficulty: easy
Type of bike: gravel, hybrid, mountain
Access: starts a few miles outside of Buxton, where there’s a train station, places to stay and eat, and ends just north of Bakewell
More information: Sustrans

This totally traffic-free route follows the former Manchester to London Midland Railway line, which closed in the late 1960s. It’s flat and offers easy access to all kinds of cyclists, including families.

There’s plenty of wildlife to see along the way, as well as traces of the area’s industrial heritage. You’ll go through four railway tunnels. These are lit during daylight hours but it’s a good idea to have lights just in case.

Said roubaixtuesday: “Monsal Trail is excellent: Bakewell to Buxton(ish) featuring tunnels and magnificent views, including Monsal Head from the viaduct.”

25. Hockney Trail: a cyclist’s route

Suggested by: keyboardmonkey
Length: 165km/103 miles
Difficulty: intermediate
Type of bike: road, tourer
Access: start and finish at Bridlington, where there’s a train station and plenty of places to eat and drink or stop for the night
More information: Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route

Named for British artist David Hockney, this route takes you through the beautiful rolling hills and dramatic coast of the Yorkshire Wolds. Using the roads that Hockney himself cycled on, it aims to link together a series of sites immortalised in his paintings.

It follows mostly quiet roads and goes through several towns and villages, taking in grand country houses, nature reserves and historic priories.

keyboardmonkey commented: “This route covers much of the area Hockney cycled as a lad back in the ’50s. A bit hilly, but not exceptionally so. A fair few cafés and accommodation on the route.”

There were many more suggestions from forum users, so do check out the thread for more inspiration. You’re now set for cycling throughout 2025.