National Bike Week 2023: The 10 Most Beautiful Cycling Routes in the UK

To celebrate National Bike Week 2023, Park’s saving experts have put together a list of the best and most beautiful UK cycle routes.

Date:

31 May, 2023

What is National Bike Week?

This year, National Bike Week runs from the 5th to the 11th June. It’s a chance to highlight the many health benefits of cycling and this year it marks a century of celebrating cycling in the UK.

If you’re looking for a new, effective way to improve your health, cycling is a great way to do it. According to Healthline, the benefits cycling include:

  • Cycling at a high intensity – this can encourage weight loss, as well as building muscle definition in the lower body. It also helps improve posture, which in turn reduces the chance of injury.
  • Legs will be strengthened as a result of cycling, as areas like our quads, glutes, hamstrings, and calves are targeted.
  • If we’re at the beginning of our fitness journey, cycling is great for building our stamina due to the fact riding a bike is relatively easy for all experience levels.
  • Cardiovascular health is boosted – reducing the likelihood of us suffering from the likes of heart attacks and strokes. Research has also shown our cholesterol levels can be improved by cycling.
  • Our mental health is supported, as cycling has been proven to lessen feelings of stress, depression, and anxiety through the release of endorphins.
  • It’s good for the environment! Statistics show using a bike instead of car to get somewhere can decrease our transportation carbon footprint by 67%.

To coincide with National Bike Week, the team at Park HQ has put together a list of some of the best UK cycle routes. From coastal trails to woodland paths, here are our top choices for getting out on two wheels.

Best cycle routes UK

  • Wales’ Route 42. Part of the National Cycle Network, this route is part of the larger Lon Las Cymru path, which spans 250 miles of the Welsh countryside – cutting through some of the country’s most mountainous terrain. Route 42 can be challenging due to its steep inclines, but the beautiful views and awe-inspiring scenery are more than worth the effort.

  • Northern Ireland's Causeway Coast Cycle Route. Taking around two hours to complete, this route takes riders from Castlerock to the Giant’s Causeway – Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage site. There are several climbs on this path, so please be away this route isn’t accessible for everyone.

  • Scotland's Devilla Forest. This path passes through expansive Scot Pines woodland, home to many different types of wildlife. If we’re lucky, the elusive red squirrel could very make an appearance during our ride, or maybe we’ll spy a majestic red deer stag. Due to this route being mainly off-road, it’s suggested we wear durable clothing. Check out GO Outdoors’ cycling gear range for quality pieces.

  • North Yorkshire’s The Cinder Track. A 21.7 mile cycle path, this trail starts in Scarborough, ending in Whitby town centre. Along the way, we’re treated to idyllic views of the great British countryside. The path can get muddy during bad weather, so it’s best to double check the forecast before heading out.

  • Birmingham’s River Cole Valley. Perfect for beginners, this easy route runs parallel to the River Cole – which is roughly 25 miles long. The path itself is 10 miles, offering scenic views of several Birmingham parks. Nature lovers can enjoy the chance to see a variety of wildlife up close, including waterfowl.

  • Berkshire’s Windsor Great Park. Covering 4,800 acres of land, Windsor Great Park has long been associated myth and legend due to the 1,000 year old story of Herne the Huntsman – a spectral being said to lead a pack of ghostly hounds atop a phantom horse. Let’s hope we don’t bump into Herne while we cycle through the old hunting forest’s grounds…

  • Northumberland’s Hadrian’s Cycleway. The route that has it all, Hadrian’s Cycleway takes us through some of the UK’s wildest landscape – in the shadow of the Northern border of the Roman Empire from which it takes its name. As it’s a mixture of on-road and traffic-free sections, most bike types are suitable.

  • The Lakes’ Ride to Windermere. Set between Kendal and the Lake District National Park Visitor Centre at Brockhole on Windermere, Sustrans (custodian of the National Cycle Network) call this route ‘a must for anyone visiting the North West’. The route shows off the incredible scenery of the Lake District, and on average takes just under an hour to complete.

  • The Cornish Way. Running from Land’s End to Bude, this route offers a longer ride, being  approximately 195 miles. Along the way it treats us to Cornwall’s impressive natural beauty of beaches and coastal villages straight from a postcard.

  • The Tower of London's The Mall loop. An easy bike ride, this route is suitable for cyclists of all levels. It takes us past some of London’s most iconic landmarks, such as the Tower of London, Big Ben, Hyde Park, and the London Eye.

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