Plan the next stage of your tour
Just when we thought cycling couldn’t get any more popular in the UK, a nationwide COVID-19 lockdown came along and inspired even more people to get on their bike.
So, you’ve got your road bike, cycling attire and accessories – where do you go?
Take a look at our favourite UK road cycling routes below. They may vary in difficulty, but they all offer a slice of beautiful scenery for you to enjoy...
Settle Circular
Yorkshire, England
Distance: 62 km
Difficulty: Hard
Route Type: Circuit loop
Start / Finish: Settle, BD24 9EJ
Yorkshire has become a mecca for cycling fanatics since it hosted a stage of the Tour de France back in 2014. The Settle Circular route is for serious cyclists looking to follow in the tracks of cycling’s elite by taking on the rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
There’s no denying that this is a demanding long-distance ride, but the scenery is enough to keep anyone going. As well as passing through quaint rural villages you’ll get to see the magnificent Pen-y-Ghent in all its glory.
There are quite a few sharp hill climbs on this route, but remember, what goes up, must come down!
Box Hill Olympic Circuit
Surrey, England
Distance: 16 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Route Type: Circuit loop
Start / Finish: Dorking, RH5 6BX
The London 2012 Olympics will live long in the memory for many cycling enthusiasts. The Box Hill Circuit gives amateur riders the chance to experience the Olympic course for themselves. The route isn’t in London itself, instead it loops around rural Surrey, taking you uphill to admire beautiful views of the River Mole and surrounding hills.
Although it features a challenging 2.5km climb up Box Hill, this ride is actually very pleasant. However, we don’t recommend trying the 9-lap version completed by Mark Cavendish and co. at the 2012 games!
The Camel Trail
Cornwall, England
Distance: 29 km
Difficulty: Easy
Route Type: Linear
Start / Finish: Padstow, PL28 8DG / Bodmin, PL31 2FQ
The Camel Trail is a beautiful traffic-free cycle path that runs beside the Camel Estuary before carving its way through the valley along a disused railway line.
Starting in the gorgeous town of Padstow, pick up NCN Route 32 to begin your jaunt through the stunning Cornish countryside all the way down to Bodmin. It’s virtually flat and suitable for any rider, regardless of ability.
Six Dams
Elan Valley, Powys, Wales
Distance: 44 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Route Type: Circuit loop
Start / Finish: Rhayadar, LD6 5HP
Explore the lakes and reservoirs of the Elan Valley by gliding around a circuit that links together six different dams with stunning views across forests and farmland.
Start near the Elan Valley Visitor Centre and loop back in just a couple of hours. The majority of the course uses NCN Route 61, so you can easily avoid road traffic and navigate your way around.
Assynt Achiltibuie Circuit
Highlands, Scotland
Distance: 117 km
Difficulty: Hard
Route Type: Circuit loop
Start / Finish: Achiltibuie, IV26 2YG
The Scottish Highlands present a cycling challenge like no other. Witness the natural beauty of the mountains, streams and coastal shores throughout this demanding ride. There are man-made wonders along this route too, including the ancient ruins of Ardvreck Castle.
The Assynt Achiltibuie Circuit mostly involves public roads, although this part of Scotland is particularly desolate and the highways are largely unused, giving you freedom to pedal away in peace.
This course really isn’t one for the faint-hearted. The epic climbs may be gruelling, but all is forgiven when you see the phenomenal hilltop views.
Ballycastle to Giant’s Causeway
County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Distance: 56 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Route Type: Circuit loop
Start / Finish: Ballycastle, BT54 6BN
Ride from the charming seaside resort of Ballycastle to the world-famous Giant’s Causeway and back again on this scenic circuit.
Pedalling along NCN Route 93 and the stunning Causeway Coastal Route, you’ll get to see the breath-taking north coast landscape before returning to Ballycastle via Bushmills on the quiet country roads of North Antrim.
