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Derbyshire
Longdendale Trail
The Longdendale Trail runs for around 6.5 miles, from just
beyond Hadfield Station to the entrance to the Woodhead
Tunnel. Following the Trans-Pennine railway closed in 1981.
This is an excellent trail, especially for families and
beginners. The surface is of smooth sand, which can make the
going quite difficult when it is wet. This is not really a
trail to try in bad weather, as it is very open to the
elements. It is advisable therefore to choose your direction
of travel according to the wind direction.
Sett Valley Trail
The Sett Valley Trail runs 2.5 miles. It runs from Hayfield
Station to New Mills.
The Sett Valley Trail is at first hard work with many gates
and obstructions to negotiate. However, from Hayfield
onwards it is quite very pleasant. Hayfield village is well
worth a visit and if you want to see some of the unspoilt
countryside, then walk from the car park near Bowden Bridge
towards Kinderlow Edge past Tunstead Clough Farm.
Middlewood Way
The Middlewood Way runs for a total of 11 miles, from Marple
to Macclesfield.
The Middlewood Way is provides the ideal opportunity for a
quiet and enjoyable family outing. Picnic sites are situated
at various points along the trail. The Middlewood Way also
offers walkers a number of alternative routes and circular
walks via the nearby Macclesfield Canal and Ladybrook
Valley.
Monsal Trail
The Monsal Trail runs for 8.5 miles between Blackwell and
Monsal Head
The Monsal Trail follows the deep limestone valley of the
River Wye with crags towering 100 metres above, a river that
changes from a fast flowing torrent to a serene lakeland
paradise, and spanned by the Monsal Viaduct. This trail is
among the very best that you'll find in the Peak National
Park.
High Peak Trail
The High Peak Trail joins up with the Tissington Trail at
Parsley Hay. It is 17.5 miles long and follows the old
Cromford Railway, starting at Cromford and finishing at
Dowlow, south of Buxton.
This is perhaps the most interesting of the trails because
this old railway line is much less straight than other
railways, with sharp curves which seem to give frequent
changes of view. For a railway line it is, in fact, not
level and has several fairly steep inclines, which now
provide variety for the cyclist.
N.B. The steep inclines may seem fun, however cyclists are
not advised to ride on them.
Tissington Trail
Together with The High Peak Trail, this is the oldest of the
Peak District Trails. It runs 13 miles from what was
Ashbourne Station to join The High Peak Trail at Parsley
Hay.
This is a very pleasant ride, the surface is limestone so
will be good in all weathers. The northern half runs over
the limestone uplands, the remainder being the through
softer lines of the lower valleys where the trail is largely
wooded, giving occasional glimpses of the landscape. This
trail is uphill all the way North, so it is a good idea to
head North first.
Manifold
Track
The Manifold Track, located entirely within Staffordshire,
runs for a total of 9 miles. It meanders through two river
valleys; the Manifold and the Hamps.
The section of the Manifold Valley through which this track
runs is quite a good example of the deep limestone valleys
of the White Peak. It is quite wooded so the views are not
as spectacular as other trails. The most notable feature is
Thor's Cave.
N.B. The section between Wettonmill and Swainsley is open to
vehicles, so you will need to keep close to children.
Lancashire
Lancaster – Morecambe
3 miles
Starting from the city's
Millennium Bridge, the cycle path is a direct route to
the seaside resort of Morecambe.
Lancaster – Caton
5 miles
From the Millennium Bridge, head out to the Lune Valley
along this riverside cycle path. There are stunning view
from the Crook O' Lune
Lancaster – Glasson
5 miles
Ride down the Lune Estuary to the historic dock at
Glasson, where you can see boats unloading
Lancaster – Snatchems
2 miles
Cycle along the north side of the river to Snatchems,
where the press gang operated.
Lancaster Canal (Lancaster – Carnforth
6 miles
You can cycle along the way as the canal from Lancaster
to Carnforth. Bring some bread to feed the ducks.
Blackpool
North Shore Cycle Route
4 miles
Cycle down the Prom from Cleveleys to North Pier in the
heart of Blackpool
Stanley Park – Staining
2 miles
Combine a visit to the zoo with a cycle ride from
Stanley Park to the nearby village of Staining on an off
road path
Wyre
Wyre Estuary Country Park
1½ miles
Cycle alongside the Wyre Estuary
from Stannah.
Ribble
Valley
Dunsop Bridge
2 miles
The bridleway up the valley from Dunsop Bridge is tarmac
and a good place to take kids.
Old
Tramway Cycle Route Preston – Bamber Bridge
3 miles
Following an old tramway, this route links Avenham Park
on the banks of the River Ribble with Bamber Bridge
River
Ribble Cycle
Path 3 miles
You can cycle alongside the River Ribble from The
Tickled Trout by the motorway junction to Penwortham
Bridge, past riverside meadows, woods and parks. Take
care when crossing the busy London Road
Chorley Area
Cuerden Valley Park, Chorley
3 miles
You can cycle for three miles through this attractive
park, north of Chorley.
Astley
Park
1 mile
Cycle through the park to historic Astley Hall. Look at
the hens and ducks on the way.
Rivington Country Park
2 miles plus
Cycle down to the lake for a short ride. Longer rides
can also be made in the park.
West
Lancashire
Cheshire Lines
4 miles
Following an old railway this path takes you from
Ainsdale, near Southport to Lydiate, through the West
Lancashire countryside. It links with the cycle path on
the front at Southport
Hyndburn
Woodnook Greenway Accrington – Baxenden
2½ miles
A delightful path along an old
railway through a wooded valley.
Burnley
Padiham – Ightenhill
2 miles
A delightful route along the peaceful Calder Valley to
Ightenhill Bridge. There is a steep path up from the
bridge to Ightenhill.
Pendle
Canal Towpath
7 miles
Take the kids on the canal towpath. You can cycle all
the way from Burnley to Barnoldswick and there are
places to stop on the way.
Lincolnshire
Mablethorpe to Anderby Creek, including '2000
Cycleway' (Mablethorpe to Sutton-on-Sea)
6 miles
Cyclists share this route with pedestrians and the
occasional council vehicle, but there is plenty of
room for all. From Mablethorpe to Moggs Eye, it is
promenade, with a track from Moggs Eye to Anderby
Creek. The sea-views to the east are wonderful.
Please note, there may be sand on the prom. in
places and it is advisable to dismount and push your
bike through these areas. You could start this ride
in the centre of Mablethorpe by the fun-fair, but as
there are usually a lot a pedestrians around here,
it is better to start a little further South on the
promenade just in front of Queens Park. There is a
pay-and-display car-park here at the Eastern end of
Seaholme Road. From Mablethorpe to Sutton-on-Sea
(2000 Cycleway), the prom. is lined with static
caravans and beach huts. At the small resort of
Sutton-on-Sea, some of the usual sea-side amenities
are to be found. There is a pub on the prom. here
with secure cycle parking. After leaving
Sutton-on-Sea and passing Sandilands there is a
large golf course directly behind the sea-wall so
there are open countryside views inland if you ever
tire of looking out to sea. You will then pass
through Huttoft Bank sea-view car-park, so care must
be taken as you share a very short section with
motorists. An attendant collects parking fees here
only at busy periods. This may be as far as you wish
to proceed especially if accompanied by young
children, as unfortunately, from Huttoft Bank to
Moggs Eye the promenade appears to be always well
covered with sand, so a good deal of 'push-biking'
is necessary, but it is worth it to continue the
journey to Anderby Creek. When you reach Moggs Eye,
you will need to push your cycles over the sand
dunes to get to the free car-park and picnic area
from where you can follow a track (part grass, part
gravel) into the car-park at Anderby Creek where
there is a licensed cafe with a garden.
Submitted by MissElaineouse
Devon
Tarka Trail
Thirty two miles of the Tarka Trail are a
cycle/walkway, following the old railway line from
Braunton on the north Devon coast, to Petrockstow
deep in the heart of Tarka Country. This part of the
Trail offers easy, flat, traffic-free cycling
suitable for all the family around the wide expanse
of the Taw/Torridge Estuary, before following the
River Torridge inland.
Cornwall
The Camel Trail
The Camel Trail winds through some of Cornwall's
most beautiful and little known countryside. There
are many visitors to the Trail each year; some use
it daily for jogging or bird watching, others for an
occasional day out walking or cycling.
Being on an old railway track the Trail is virtually
level all the way. The surface is mainly smooth and
so ideal for wheelchair users, pram and buggy
pushers.
Pentewan Valley Trail
Pentewan near Mevagissey.
A shorter version of the Camel Trail, traffic free
and level, hence particularly suitable for families.
Nearly 3 miles long, past the sluice ponds, through
ancient oak woodland and alongside the River. Car
parking at both ends. Cycle hire available. Pentewan
used to be an important Port. Though the Harbour
entrance is now blocked by sand, the Harbour Basin
with its wooden sluice gates, like the sleepy
village itself is a delight to explore. The beach is
broad and sandy, popular with sailors, home to a
thriving local sailing club. From the end of the
Trail Heligan Gardens is only a short cycle ride
away. Happily (some may say) the Pentewan Trail is
far less popular than Camel Trail.
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