In recent years cycling has become a popular leisure activity in Bath and North East Somerset. Cycling round Bath and North East Somerset is a great way to see the region at your own pace and many cycle routes have been designed to pass famous locations without being too strenuous. The city itself is cross-sectioned by Route Four of the Cycle Network, with the surrounding countryside containing many scenic cycle routes; The Two Tunnels, which forms the longest cycling tunnel in the UK; the Bristol to Bath Cycle Path; and the Kennet and Avon Canal path.
With many cycle routes offering stunning views of Bath and North East Somerset’s famous landmarks, cycling can be a great way to explore and keep active while you’re away on holiday. If you don’t want to bring your own bikes with you, cycle hire is available at a range of shops across the county. Here you will be provided with a range of bikes to hire, from kids bikes to trial and mountain bikes, as well as providing helmets, tools and maps to help rookie cyclists in the region. In addition many cycle shops offer coaching, training courses and guided tours for the inexperienced cyclists who still want to enjoy riding in Bath and North East Somerset.
There are a range of great cycle routes, with some of our favourites being:
The Pedal around Porlock is a six mile ride taking you on a tour of the countryside around this pretty Somerset village. The route follows a series of quiet, leafy, country lanes passing through Allerford and Luccombe on the way. There are splendid views across the moors, woodlands and coast of Exmoor to enjoy on this varied ride.
The Glastonbury to Cheddar route starts in Glastonbury and follows NCN route 3 to Cheddar via the cathedral city of Wells. Route highlights include the cathedral at Wells, the show caves and paper mill at Wookey Hole and the magnificent views as you cross Cheddar Gorge, voted the second greatest natural wonder in Britain.
The Strawberry Line walk and cycle path runs along a former railway line that used to transport strawberries from Cheddar. You start by Yatton railway station and head south passing Congresbury and Axbridge, before finishing in Cheddar. The route passes apple orchards, open fields and the River Yeo, while there are also pleasant woodland sections at King’s Wood and Rose Wood.
For more information on what there is to explore when cycling in Bath and North East Somerset, check out our Things to Do page.
Photo by James Shaw on Unsplash
