Granite Way, Devon
The Granite Way is a particularly family friendly section of the Devon coast-to-coast route, which runs between Ilfracombe and Plymouth (National Route 27). The 11-mile section of cycle and walkway runs between the lovely villages of Okehampton and Lydford, along the north western edge of Dartmoor. The first 6 miles from Oakhampton to Lake Viaduct is totally traffic free as it follows the course of the former Southern Region railway line, making a great 12 mile return ride on its own. You can extend this a little further by continuing onto the Southerly Hault picnic site, a great spot to refuel the little ones.The following section is along a quiet road, albeit with a crossing of the A386, before re-joining the old railway line towards Lydford. On route there are plenty of drink/pub stops to keep everyone happy, and even the odd loo too. The ruined castle at Okehampton, as well as the castle and church at Lydford will keep any young knight entertained, while the spring time bluebells and far reaching granite landscape of Dartmoor will live long in the memory, and excite any keen amateur geologist!
Granite Way
Camel Trail, Cornwall
The Camel Trail is an 18 mile, largely traffic-free, surfaced and virtually level multi-use trail which passes through some of the most spectacular countryside in the south west. It’s one of the most popular recreational routes in the country, so don’t expect to have it to yourself, but that shouldn’t stop you as it really is perfect for a family cycle ride. It goes from the charming estuary village of Padstow to Poley's Bridge, via Wadebridge and Bodmin.The trail snakes its way through the wooded countryside of the upper Camel Valley and alongside the picturesque Camel Estuary - a paradise for birdwatchers. The route passes through both a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation, and there’s even a nearby vineyard for those who like a tipple. A brilliant thing to do with the kids is take a slight detour and ride to Boscarne Junction station in Bodmin, 13 miles from Padstow, then relax while taking the fantastic Bodmin and Wenford steam railway on its 11 mile loop.
Map
destinationcornwall.co.uk
bodminrailway.co.uk
Lochwinnoch Loop Line, Scotland
West of Glasgow, the Lochwinnoch Loop is a 14 mile footpath and cycleway which forms part of the Lochs and Glens Cycle Route along a dismantled railway line running west from Johnstone. There are several train stations along this route, making it easy to shorten the route or simply bail out if the weather or the kids give up on you – which is very handy, as don’t be fooled into thinking the Lochwinnoch Loop is a circular bike ride. It’s not!The first part is mostly traffic free to Johnstone, apart from at Elderslie, which is famed for being the birthplace of William Wallace – ‘the scourge of the English’ – where there’s a short road section. The railway path then continues on to Castle Semple Loch, a renowned site for wild birds and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Castle Semple is also a great place to start a shorter ride, as the Castle Semple Country Park has many cycle routes within it and also has bike rental from the visitor centre. A great excursion from the route is the Lochwinnoch RSPB Reserve where there are viewing hides, nature trails and a café for the kids to get a hot chocolate from – be aware that you do have to cycle a very short section of the A760.
Lochs and Glens Sustrans Official Guidebook RB28 £6.99 sustransshop.co.uk
Handy links
clydemuirshiel.co.uk
Lochwinnoch RSPB Reserve
rspb.org.uk
Cuckoo Trail Sussex
Named after the tradition that the first cuckoo in spring was heard at the Heathfield Fair, this old railway line in now an 11 mile, mostly traffic-free, tree-shaded ride. It runs between Polegate and Heathfield, but can be extended on to Eastbourne by road. The southern end of the ride is easily reached by train, with Polegate, Eastbourne and Hampden Park all having stations on the Brighton/Lewes line, so after the ride you can treat the kids to chips on the beach or even some fun on the pier in Brighton.The ride is virtually flat other than a few very slight inclines if heading north, and a small climb up to Heathfield. It does cross a few roads, but any main ones have pelican crossings. Passing through woodland and fields on a flat well-surfaced track, the Cuckoo Cycle Trail is just perfect for young children who are setting out solo, and great if using a tow-bar for when they tire, and for the short road sections. There’s even a trailside pub around the 6 mile stage which has a playground. The shade of the trees is helpful on a hot day, as are the many picnic table sites. It might not be the most breathtakingly beautiful of rides, but it is a great family one.
Sussex and South Surrey Cycle Map
sustransshop.co.uk
eastsussex.gov.uk
Forest of Dean, Family Cycle Trail
The Family Trail, from the Cannop Cycle Centre within the Forest of Dean, along the old Severn and Wye railway, offers up traffic-free cycling at its best. In the summer you’ll ride past patches of foxgloves and be joined by fluttering butterflies as you meander through the trees. If you have older or more daring kids with you that want to get a little air, then the skills area at the start/finish of the trail will keep them happy, as will the six fun features along the trail, which are all great to help encourage them to keep pedalling to find the next one.The route also has many sub spurs, leading to picnic sites and villages, enabling you to stretch out the 11-mile circular route into a full day’s trip if you want. Route maps can be picked up from ‘Pedal a Bike Away’ centre, from which you can rent family bikes, tandems, trailers and child seats through to full suspension downhill mountain bikes.
forestry.gov.uk
pedalabikeaway.co.uk
Lon Las Ogwen, Wales
One for the older kids, as this excellent cycle ride does involve some uphill (1000ft/305m in total) and a longish road section. Starting by the sea in Bangor, and easily reached from Bangor train station, the Lon Las Ogwen trail climbs up an old railway path inland through woods, following the Cegin River, to the village of Tregarth – an initial climb of 300ft/90m. Those with young children in the saddle should turn back here.From Tregarth the Lon Las Ogwen continues on a well-made path through an old slate quarry, with fantastic views towards Snowdonia National Park. The path here was originally built for a narrow gauge railway, constructed to transport slate down the valley.
The route then utilises a quiet road, which runs alongside the busy A5, climbing steadily to the café at the lakeside of Llyn Ogwen, where you’re rewarded with the sight of the towering mountains of Snowdonia all around you.
The ride back is great fun as you speed back downhill towards the coast, and only takes a fraction of the time of outward journey. The route is 11 miles each way.
Lagan and Lough Cycle Way, Northern Ireland
This route is a long but easy 21 miles of traffic-free cycling and is perfect for little ones, as there’s so much to see, especially along the Belfast seafront and docks section. The Lagan and Lough ride begins in the waterside Loughshore Park and follows the estuary towards Belfast’s docks, past Whitabbey, Macedon Point and Hazelbank Park with views across Belfast Lough.Once in the city proper you’ll join the excellent path, which winds its way alongside the River Lagan though the Belfast Hills. Once out of the city again the Lagan path offers tons of resting or picnic options from public parks to the meadows and woodlands of the National Trust property at Minnowburn.
This traffic-free route, which only has the occasional road crossing, then continues through the Lagan Valley Regional Park. The park is a good place to stop if the family pond dip is on, before continuing to the finish at the Union Docks in Lisburn.
cycleni.com
Route 65 and the Solar System Ride, York (June 20th and 21st 2014)
One for the space nut, the Solar System ride is only a once a year event, but it’s so cool we felt we needed to include it in our top ten. Using National route 65 you will cycle a 6.4 mile route along the old East Coast main-line railway, just outside York, a good traffic-free ride at any time of year.Starting at the Sun (where else?), you will ride to the outer reaches of our universe, past scale models of all the planets and Pluto (which as any self-respecting child astronomer will tell you, has lost its planet status).
But that’s not all, as on route you’ll be able to see a rocket launching, construct a telescope and make comets using dry ice. People in white coats from the Department of Physics at the University of York will be on hand along the route to answer any difficult questions from your kids that you don’t have the answers to.
york.ac.uk
Water Rail Way, Lincoln
The Water Rail Way is flat and almost entirely traffic-free for an amazing 33 miles – now that’s long enough to tire out any child! It has numerous access points if you don't want to travel the full distance in one go, or leave a car for a return journey.The former Lincoln to Boston Railway Line starts in Lincoln and follows the River Witham passing the villages of Washingborough, Bardney and Southrey on the way to Kirkstead Bridge. From here there is an opt-out point using roads to the nearby village of Woodhall Spa. For those who still have the energy, the Water Rail Way continues all the way to Boston.
The route, which has you gliding through the vast and open fenlands, has an interesting sculpture trail commissioned by Sustrans – inspired by the poetry of Alfred Lord Tennyson as well as the local environment and animal breeds.
sustrans.org.uk
visitlincoln.com
Derby Canal Path and the Cloud Trail
This very flat, 13 mile, family-friendly trail is mostly on good condition stone paths, with only a few tarmac sections on quiet roads. Starting next to Derby railway station, near the city centre, this 13 mile ride follows the River Derwent before heading south on the Derby Canal Path, to where it meets the Trent and Mersey Canal at Swarkestone. From here you join the Cloud Trail, a disused railway line, where you’ll ride over the Grade II listed Trent Viaduct.The trail then takes you onwards, all the way to the village of Worthington, providing some fantastic views from Cloud Quarry, after which the trail is named. This route is part of the National Route 6, which runs from London to the Lake District.
The only down side to this ride is that there’s no return train to catch, so you either need to return by bike, making it a 26-mile round trip, or to have left a car at the end before you set out. If your children are competent road cyclists you can continue on to Loughborough, a further 10 miles of quiet roads as well as some traffic-free sections, from where it’s possible to catch a train back to Derby.
sustrans.org.uk
Others of interest
Bristol and Bath Path, 13 miles
bristolbathrailwaypath.org.uk
bristolbathrailwaypath.org.uk
Aire Valley Towpath Leeds to Bigley, 17 miles
sustrans.org.uk
Tudor Trail Kent, 6 miles
kent.gov.uk
Tarka Trail Devon, 30 miles
visitengland.com
Crab and Winkle Way, Kent, 7 miles
kent.gov.uk
