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.

Skirlaugh to Sutton Village Cycling for families (Trans Pennine Trail)

Route at a glance Total distanceFlexible out & back (Hull is ~8 mi one way; Sutton is shorter) DifficultyBeginner (very flat, tarmac) Top things to see Quiet rail-trail through fields & hamlets Swine village en route Play park & cafés in Sutton (Church Street Café) Mostly traffic-free once on the TPT Skirlaugh is a village … Read more

Haw Park Wood cycling for families

Route at a glance Total distanceSigned loops: 0.5, 1, or ~2 miles (0.8, 1.6, 3.2 km) DifficultyEasy · wide, mostly flat woodland paths · fully traffic-free inside the wood Top things to see Woodland wildlife & carved waymarkers Link to Anglers Country Park (café, toilets, play) Optional Barnsley Canal/Waterton Park connection Haw Park Wood is … Read more

Pugneys Country Park cycling for families

Route at a glance Total distance1.6-mile / 2.6-km flat lakeside loop (option to climb to Sandal Castle) DifficultyEasy · mostly flat · fully traffic-free around the lake Top things to see Lakeside play areas & “sunken ship” zone Miniature railway & café by the main building Views from Sandal Castle on the optional detour Pugneys … Read more
Walton Colliery Nature Park

Walton Colliery Nature Park cycling for families

Route at a glance Total distance~1.3–1.9 miles (2–3.1 km) loops; longest is the Blue waymarked circuit DifficultyEasy · mostly flat with a few gentle inclines · fully traffic-free inside the park Top things to see Lakes, wildflowers & rewilded colliery landscape Benches/picnic spots; great confidence-builder loops Sits on/near NCN 67 (TPT) for longer rides The … Read more

Knaresborough to Ripley (Nidderdale Greenway) Cycle Route For Families

Route at a glance Total distance~10 miles / 16 km out & back (from Knaresborough) DifficultyBeginner–Intermediate · steady climb leaving Knaresborough, then gentle rail-path Top things to see Beryl Burton Cycleway & big viaduct views Ripley Castle green, play park & ice cream stop Knaresborough riverside & castle at start/finish Where does the ride take … Read more

Sandal to Nostell Priory cycle route

As a family, we always enjoyed spending time outside vs indoors. Over the past two years, this however has been heightened by government lockdowns and the need for micro-adventures on our doorstep. I spend a lot of time on my bike; both with the family and individually. There’s nothing more liberating than exploring your local … Read more
Rabbit Ings Country Park Cycling

Rabbit Ings Country Park Cycling for Families

Route at a glance Total distanceTypical family circuit ~3 miles / 4.9 km (longer options & hilltop spur available) DifficultyEasy–Moderate · entirely traffic-free within the park · a few short climbs Top things to see Panoramic views from the hilltop Wetland & woodland wildlife (bring binoculars) Free parking; quiet, confidence-building trails As a family, we … Read more

Spofforth – Wetherby Railway Path Cycling for Families

Route at a glance Total distance~3 miles / 4.8 km each way (≈6 miles / 9.6 km out & back) DifficultyEasy · flat disused railway path · mostly traffic-free Top things to see Spofforth Castle ruins & nearby play/nature area Quiet tree-lined rail path with farmland views Plenty of food options in Wetherby for a … 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.