East Devon trail

bikepacking.com/routes/east-devon-trail/

The East Devon Trail is a 113-mile bikepacking route through East Devon, a rural and coastal landscape between the county’s capital of Exeter and neighboring counties of Dorset and Somerset. This often-overlooked region will astound you with the sheer variety of habitats, from freshwater marshes to lowland heath, green agricultural field networks to steep cliffs, pebbled beaches and sleepy woodland, and the wonderful wildlife that calls these wild places home...

While bikepackers visiting Devon may immediately think of the Dartmoor and Exmoor national parks, quietly tucked away in the rolling hills to the east of the Exe Estuary lies an extensive network of blissful gravel trails, spicy singletrack and quiet lanes with expansive views across heathland and a patchwork of fields, out towards the Jurassic Coast and the English Channel.

The rewards are countless, but you just need to know where to look. Marrying up a deep admiration of this gorgeous part of the South West with the many creatures that seek refuge here, the East Devon Trail visits numerous nature reserves along its 115-mile length.

Look out for migratory birds on the move and foraging waders at RSPB Bowling Green and Goosemoor just a short ride out of the county’s capital, rare nightjars, Dartford Warblers, basking common lizards and adders across the rare lowland heath network of the Pebblebed Heaths, Trinity Hill and Fire Beacon Hill. And visit the Island Hide at Seaton Marshes with a near-360 degree view over the wetlands, where you can often see oystercatchers, black-tailed godwits and ringed plovers. If you’re really lucky and spend the time on the River Otter, you might even spy a beaver; part of the Devon Wildlife Trust’s pioneering reintroduction programme, which has paved the way for their wider reintroduction across the UK.

West Kernow Way

www.cyclinguk.org/west-kernow-way

West Kernow Way – a 230km circular bikepacking route

The West Kernow Way takes in many of the highlights of the western half of the Cornish peninsula, including the Botallack tin mines, the Bronze Age monument Mên-an-Tol, Land’s End, St Michael’s Mount and Lizard Point. Expect spectacular coastal scenery, hedgerows bursting with wildflowers and ancient tracks across isolated moorland.

There’s no denying it will be a challenge, with more than 4,200m of climbing – but all that exertion provides a worthy excuse to sample the excellent Cornish cuisine. Designed to be ridden over three to four days, the route links together bridleways, byways, lost ways and quiet lanes to escape the tourist hotspots and discover hidden treasures which reveal the history and culture of the region.

South downs way

southdownsway.org/activities/cycling/

Yorkshire dales cycleway

cyclethedales.org.uk/route/yorkshire_dales_cycleway/

The Yorkshire Dales Cycleway is a stunning circular tour of the National Park taking in most of the main Dales and many that are rarely visited. It is a tougher proposition than something like the C2C route with a number of challenging climbs, but the stunning scenery and warm welcome make up for this. The route is all on road and is signed with the logo of the National Park – a sheep’s head.

You pass through a string of charming villages and so it is easy to plan overnight stops and find plenty of café breaks. The route takes you through the lovely limestone areas in the south of the National Park including famous sights such as Malham Cove and Tarn. You visit lesser known Kingsdale which is riddled with cave systems and climb over a gated road into Dentdale. You can then either follow the extended route taking in the Westmorland Dales or head to Hawes – home of Wensleydale Cheese. The two routes reunite in Swaledale with its fabulous barns and walls scenery.

You will then be heading for the lesser known Coverdale which links back to the Wharfedale valley at Kettlewell. It is then back down the valley for a well deserved finish.

GB divide

bikepacking.com/routes/gb-divide/

www.gbdivide.net/

The GB DIVIDE route runs the length of Britain, linking its wild places with its rich industrial past. Riders will experience a diverse range of geographies and micro cultures to give them a unique perspective of the rich history that has shaped the British Isles. Bursting with climbs and technical descents, this route will reward those with versatile ‘all-road’ setups and attitudes… expect road, gravel, singletrack, and everything in between.

We sought to utilise the versatility of ‘all-road’ bikes by designing a route that links GB’s most remote off-road riding via small roads, following the most direct natural line possible. The route passes through several National Parks (NP), areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), and other mountain ranges including Exmoor NP, Quantock Hills AONB, Mendip Hills AONB, Brecon Beacons NP, Cambrian Mountains (aka the Desert of Wales), Snowdonia NP, Yorkshire Dales NP, North Pennines AONB, Kielder Forest Park, Scottish Borders, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs NP, Cairngorm NP, and the Scottish Highlands. With ~30,000m of climbing packed into the ~2,000km route, this is one for the mountain lovers.

The route also pays homage to Britain’s past, passing sights such as Bristol’s Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Falkirk Wheel, as well as providing a glimpse into vibrant city life by passing through Manchester city centre. It will also give riders an insight into the similarities and differences of the three countries that make up Great Britain (England, Wales, and Scotland). It is also full of contrasts; from the buzz of city life to the remoteness of Wales and the Highlands; from remnants of dark satanic mills to state-of-the-art wind farms; from fast road/gravel sections to singletrack and the odd hike-a-bike.