Areas with ex-railway cycle tracks

[Feltwell]

Looking at taking my youngest offspring away for 2-3 days cycling in the October half term. Strictly leisure cycling, neither of us are serious cyclists, so we like to go on routes that used to be railways - no traffic, easy inclines. Derbyshire (Peak District) is fantastic with a good number of trails but we've been there a number of times now. Mawddach Trail in mid-Wales is also fantastic but we've also been there a good number of times and the bridge across to Barmouth is closed at the moment. Severn Valley out of Ironbridge is very nice but that is on our doorstep!

Any other suggestions for good, traffic free cycle trails?

 

[haganap]

How about the Whitegate way Winsford? Can add a lot of canals to it and also takes you to the Delamere forest.?

Or you could do the other way if you are a ccc member and stay at the Delamere site..

 

[Brains]

Camel trail
Which is north of the Sahara in north Cornwall,

A 32 mile round trip if you do it all, but if you start at the half way point you can go in one direction or the other or both.

 

[2x2camper]

Looking at taking my youngest offspring away for 2-3 days cycling in the October half term. Strictly leisure cycling, neither of us are serious cyclists, so we like to go on routes that used to be railways - no traffic, easy inclines. Derbyshire (Peak District) is fantastic with a good number of trails but we've been there a number of times now. Mawddach Trail in mid-Wales is also fantastic but we've also been there a good number of times and the bridge across to Barmouth is closed at the moment. Severn Valley out of Ironbridge is very nice but that is on our doorstep!

Any other suggestions for good, traffic free cycle trails?

Brampton Valley Way

The Brampton Valley Way is a 17-mile route on the National Cycle Network, connecting Market Harborough to Northampton.

www.sustrans.org.uk

Water Rail Way

The Water Rail Way is a 15.7-mile route connecting Lincoln to Boston.

www.sustrans.org.uk

 

[U.Toadifact]

The old rail track between Scarborough and Whitby is a spectacular and lovely route. If you aren't regular cyclists you may struggle to do it all but it is well worth doing a bit of research to find the best sections for you.

https://www.discoveryorkshirecoast.com/listing/the-cinder-track-scarborough-to-whitby-(21-miles)/128786101/

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[Janine]

The Wirral has a long ex-railway track from the Country Park along the coast.

 

[OldCodger]

There’s the HS2 line from Birmingham to Manchester

 

[Nanniemate]

Cycle paths wales . Pembrey leading to coastal path which leafs to the cycleroutes on the gower and up to near valley

 

[Lenny HB]

The North Downs link, Guilford to Shoreham by Sea.

 

[Rapido666F]

Marriott Way, Norfolk. Plenty of almost horizontal surfaces even without going on the old railroad!

Gordon

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[Spriddler]

More here, searchable.....

Railway Paths | public routes, roads and paths suitable for cycling, walking, horseriding and wheel-chair use

Railway Paths holds a portfolio of former railway land for the purpose of providing routes, roads and paths suitable for cycling, walking, horseriding and wheel-chair use

www.railwaypaths.org.uk

 

[Feltwell]

Thanks all, some good suggestions there!

 

[Andacami]

North Dorset Trailway.

Home | North Dorset Trailway Network

North Dorset TrailwayFrom rail to trailLinked RoutesLinked RoutesPlaces to visitPlaces to visitSupport usSupport usAbout the charityThe North Dorset Trailway

www.northdorsettrailway.org.uk

 

[CazPaul]

Baxter Wood CL Durham, brilliant for cycling with cycle paths in all directions leading straight from the site, not a road in site
Lanchester Way in one direction and Bishop Auckland Way the other

£7.50 a night best value CL around

 

[Mikey RV]

Tarka trail north Devon, runs alongside the estuary. If you go from Braunton you can stop in Barnstaple for food or go from Barnstaple towards Bideford and stop at fremington quay which was the old station, now a really good cafe.

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[BouncyBoatFolk]

Granite way Okehampton. + Ex loop , Dawlish- Exeter- Exmouth.
Mike.

 

[namwaldog]

Find a route on the National Cycle Network

Browse the hundreds of routes on the National Cycle Network and find the perfect walking and cycling route for you.

www.sustrans.org.uk

 

[Feltwell]

Thank you all, local knowledge always produces some good suggestions!

 

[LittleGreyCat]

Quite a few in Norfolk around Norwich and to the North.

 

[cyberyacht]

Baxter Wood CL Durham, brilliant for cycling with cycle paths in all directions leading straight from the site, not a road in site
Lanchester Way in one direction and Bishop Auckland Way the other

£7.50 a night best value CL around

But uphill in every direction too IIRC.

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[CazPaul]

But uphill in every direction too IIRC.

Certainly not uphill we’ve been loads.

 

[Jake Royd]

Stratford Greenway

The Stratford Greenway is a 5.3-mile route on the National Cycle Network, connecting Stratford-upon-Avon with Long Marston.

www.sustrans.org.uk

Done this one.
Short but enjoyable.
If you stay at Stratford Racecourse you can get directly on to it.
Or you might stay at the Leisure centre

 

[golly]

May be too far North for you, but Co Durham has quite a few railway cycle routes . There is a CL just outside of Consett (Shotley Bridge) which is adjacent to the cycle way.

 

[Nellie123]

On the Derbyshire / Nottinghamshire border are the Five Pits Trail and Silverhill Trail, both with easy riding and M/H accessible parking.
https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/site-...ng/five-pits-trail-map-and-walking-routes.pdf

 

[Abgs]

The Forest of Dean has lots of easy fire-roads and a good few dedicated family trails. The Colliers Trail is an interesting ride following the old railway that connected the various little mines and villages. I particularly like that along side the smooth hard-pack trail there are lots of little interesting banks and berms type loop trails to play on.

The Wye Valley Greenway also looks interesting but have not tried it yet. Nice free pub stop above next to Tintern Abbey also, pay £5 to park then get £5 back on any purchase in the pub.

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[Arnside037]

Middlewood Way - 20 miles, Marple to Macclesfield, and return on the canal towpath (but not with youngsters). Here

or Glasson Dock to Lancaster and then on to Heysham

or Bull Beck (Caton) to Lancaster and then on to Heysham

 

[Hirsch]

Tissington in Derbyshire

The Tissington Trail runs for 13 miles from Ashbourne to Parsley Hay where it is joined by High Peak Junction. The High Peak and Tissington Trails were formerly the Cromford and High Peak and the Ashbourne to Buxton railway lines. You can walk, cycle or ride a horse on the trails all year round.

 

[Arnside037]

Tissington in Derbyshire

The Tissington Trail runs for 13 miles from Ashbourne to Parsley Hay where it is joined by High Peak Junction. The High Peak and Tissington Trails were formerly the Cromford and High Peak and the Ashbourne to Buxton railway lines. You can walk, cycle or ride a horse on the trails all year round.

Brundcliffe Farm CL s a good location for a motorhome base, the High Peak Trail is over the wall that you reverse on to. Its a couple of miles the other way to the the Tissington trail junction.

 

[MalcMc]

Cheddar has one, a bit up hill to start with, the old track takes you to the Thatchers brewer, perfect stop off point