Traffic-Free Cycling Routes

Discover Traffic-Free Cycle Trails Near You

We’ve created a county-by-county guide to the best family-friendly cycling routes in the UK. Whether you’re looking for a weekend ride or planning a holiday, it’s a great place to start.

Each listing includes the trail name, location, distance, and how much of it is traffic-free.

Browse Trails by County

Read our reviews of (mostly) Traffic-free cycling routes in and around our local area. A fantastic (usually free) way for families to enjoy the beautiful countryside and scenery while in safety away from other road users. Featuring the Trans Pennine Trail, The Tissington Trail & the Monsal Trail.

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

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

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

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

Ripley – Hampsthwaite Cycle Route For Families

Route at a glance Total distance≈5–6 miles / 8–10 km out & back DifficultyIntermediate for kids · steep return climb from Hampsthwaite; otherwise quiet lanes/paths Top things to see Spring bluebells through the woods Sophie’s Café on the village square Ripley Castle village & play park for picnics Since we bought a bike rack we … 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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Traffic-free cycling routes & reviews across the UK.

Traffic-free cycling refers to cycling on routes that are completely separate from motor vehicle traffic. These routes provide a safer and more enjoyable environment for cyclists of all ages and abilities, making them especially popular for families, beginners, and those looking for a stress-free ride.

We love traffic-free cycling routes both as adults and for our children as they are safe, enjoyable places to cycle. Our favourites include the wonderful Monsal Trail and multiple Trans Pennine Trail routes across the North of England.