The 30 most beautiful UK cycle routes
Published: 06/06/2010 by Paul Kirkwood
Britain has fallen in love with the bicycle. Cycle ownership has doubled over the past decade and, for most of us, it’s more than just a means of transport — it’s a new way to explore the country.
Our guide to the most scenic rides in the UK have been test-driven by cycling writer Paul Kirkwood, who has been devising cycle routes for 30 years. As a rough guide to the routes, expect to cover 8-10 miles an hour. A full day’s ride with stops for lunch and couple of sights is around 40 miles, about 15-20 miles for a gentle half-day ride. Here’s the key to the difficulty ratings:
Easy No serious climbs and generally smooth riding surface. Suitable for beginners and families.
Moderate Some hills but none too long or punishing. Suitable for those who want a bit of a challenge.
Strenuous Long distance and/or with some substantial climbs or off-road sections. Only really suited to those who have done some cycling before.
30 most beautiful cycle routes
1 Barra and Vatersay, Outer Hebrides
2 Rutland Water, Rutland
3 Peebles, Scottish Borders
4 Ribblesdale, Yorkshire Dales
5 Gower, South Wales
6 Purbeck, Dorset
7 High Peak and Tissington Trails, Derbyshire
8 The Causeway Coast, Co Antrim
9 Barton Broad and Worstead, Norfolk
10 Bushy Park and the Thames towpath, London
11 East Neuk, Fife
12 Lochs Rannoch and Tummel, Perthshire
13 Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear
14 The Isle of Man
15 Guernsey
16 Preston, Hertfordshire
17 Isle of Wight
18 Dumfries
19 Dolgellau, North Wales
20 Reading, Berkshire
Flatter routes
1 Aire Valley, West Yorkshire
2 Rendlesham Forest, Suffolk
3 Kielder Water, Northumberland
4 Sherwood Pines, Nottinghamshire
5 Brampton Valley Way and Pitsford Reservoir, Northampton
6 Camel Trail, Cornwall
7 Ambleside, Lake District
8 Trent Park, Enfield
9 Bath to Bristol cycle path
10 Cuckoo Trail, Sussex
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