Beginner-friendly cycling routes

Looking for a range of entry-level cycling routes suitable for families or new cyclists? We are exploring the lengths of breadths of the country to bring you our favourite locations when it comes to safe, traffic-free cycling routes suitable for beginners.

Leeds Urban Bike Park

Leeds Urban Bike Park Cycling Review For Families

Route at a glance Total distanceFlexible loops: Green trail ~1.4 mi; family loop ~3.6 mi; full network ~7 mi DifficultyAll grades on site — stick to Green/Blue with kids Top things to see Hub: pump track, BMX track, café & bike shop Flowy woodland singletrack & skills areas (observe signage) Easy link into Middleton Park … Read more
Anglers Country Park

Anglers Country Park cycling for families

Route at a glance Total distance~2 miles / ~3.2 km loop DifficultyEasy (flat, traffic-free once parked) Top things to see Room on the Broom adventure trail Bird hides & lakeside wildlife Play park by the visitor centre Wide paths perfect for little legs Anglers Country Park is an award-winning Green Flag destination where you can … Read more
Rother Valley Country Park Cycling

Rother Valley Country Park Cycling Review For Families

Rother Valley Country Park is located near Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK, just off the M1 at Junction 31, only a short drive away from the popular Gulliver’s Valley theme park. The park spans 750 acres, offering a mix of lakes, woodlands, and trails perfect for a family cycling day out. Last Updated on April 28, … Read more
Sherwood Pines Cycling

Sherwood Pines Cycling Review For Families

Sherwood Pines is nestled in the heart of Sherwood Forest, near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The forest spans over 3000 acres, offering a vast, traffic-free space for outdoor adventures. It is an absolute haven for cycle trails across all abilities, as well as multiple playgrounds and outdoor activities like Go-Ape. There is also an excellent on-site campsite … Read more
The Monsal Trail Cycling For Families

The Monsal Trail cycling for families

Route at a glance Total distance~8.5 miles / ~13.7 km DifficultyEasy (wide path, well-lit tunnels) Top things to see Headstone Viaduct & Monsal Dale Four re-opened rail tunnels Old stations (Hassop, Monsal Head, Millers Dale) Riverside limestone scenery The Monsal Trail is located in the heart of the Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, England. This … Read more

How we use our bikes as a family

Making the transition to riding your bike as a family can be daunting to some. It’s easy to jump in the car and drive to your destination irrespective of how close it is. As a country, we have become heavily dependent upon cars with over 40 million in circulation. Even journeys under 1 mile are … Read more
Trans Pennine Trail Cycling To Hornsea Beach

Skirlaugh to Hornsea Cycling for families (Trans Pennine Trail)

Route at a glance Total distance~16 miles / ~26 km round trip (≈8 mi each way) DifficultyBeginner (mostly flat tarmac/gravel) Top things to see Old railway platforms & houses Wildflower-lined rural trail Hornsea beach & seafront treats Bike parking at Hornsea Hub Skirlaugh is a village and civil parish in the East Riding of Yorkshire, … Read more

Greenwich Meridian Trail Cycling For Families: Fitties Beach to Cleethorpes

Route at a glance Total distance~3 miles / ~4.8 km (one way) DifficultyEasy (flat seafront path) Top things to see Humberston Fitties chalets Wide sea views & beach stops Cafés & facilities in Cleethorpes Traffic-free family seafront We recently had the pleasure of visiting the East Lincolnshire coast for a half-term trip to our family … Read more
Sutton Bank Cycling For Families

Sutton Bank Cycling for families

Introduction: Sutton Bank, located in the beautiful North York Moors National Park, offers a variety of cycling routes suitable for families of all ages and abilities. With stunning views, well-maintained trails, and easy access, it’s no wonder that Sutton Bank has become a popular destination for family cycling adventures. In this blog post, we’ll explore … Read more

Dalby Forest Cycling for families

Route at a glance Total distanceEllerburn 1.7–2.8 miles · Adderstone 8 or 12 miles DifficultyEasy (Ellerburn) → Moderate (Adderstone) Top things to see Family-friendly skills area & waymarked trails Riverside Ellerburn Beck section Play park & big visitor hub Deep forest scenery, traffic-free once parked Dalby Forest, in the heart of the North York Moors … Read more
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What are beginner-friendly cycling routes?

Beginner-friendly cycling routes are typically flat, have low traffic volume, and are easy to navigate. Here are some examples of beginner-friendly cycling routes:

Rail Trails: Many former railway lines have been converted into cycle paths, providing flat, straight routes that are perfect for beginner cyclists. Examples include the Nidderdale Greenway, The Trans Pennine trail (in parts) and the Tarka Trail in Devon, England.

Parks and Gardens: Urban parks and gardens often have dedicated cycle paths that are traffic-free and great for families with young children.

Coastal Paths: Coastal paths are often flat and provide scenic routes along the ocean.

Canal Towpaths: Many canals have towpaths alongside them that make for ideal cycling routes. These paths are mostly flat and often follow the water, providing scenic views. Examples include the Leeds-Liverpool Canal Towpath & Calder & Hebble Navigation.

Greenbelts: Many cities have greenbelts, which are parks or protected areas surrounding the city that provide excellent cycling routes. Examples include the Capital Ring in London.

Beginner-friendly routes can vary in terms of difficulty and distance which is why here at family cycling we are visiting hundreds of cycle-friendly routes around the UK and beyond to help you and your kids enjoy the world of cycling.