The best cycling routes around Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester offers a vast network of touring cycling routes, with over 2,100 options available on komoot. These routes cater to all abilities, including over 900 easy routes, 800 moderate routes, and more than 400 challenging options, ensuring there's a path for every cyclist.

The komoot community highly rates touring cycling in Greater Manchester, with an average score of 4.5 stars from over 2,300 reviews. Cyclists frequently praise the region's diverse landscape, which blends urban accessibility with serene countryside, extensive canal networks, and the dramatic moorlands of the nearby Peak District.

Yes, Greater Manchester is well-suited for easy and family-friendly touring. Many routes utilize the region's extensive canal networks, such as the Bridgewater Way and Ashton Canal, which offer largely traffic-free, flat paths. Reclaimed railway lines like the Middlewood Way and Fallowfield Loop also provide gentle, accessible cycling through pleasant woodland and green spaces.

For those seeking longer journeys, Greater Manchester provides access to sections of significant long-distance trails. The Trans Pennine Trail and the Pennine Bridleway traverse the region, offering multi-day touring opportunities through varied countryside. The Manchester and Middlewood Way Cycle Loop is another excellent option, covering 44.7 miles (72.0 km) through varied landscapes.

Yes, many touring routes in Greater Manchester are designed as loops, offering convenient circular journeys. An example is the Salford Quays to Tatton Park loop, which connects urban areas with parkland. Hollingworth Lake also offers a popular circular route with scenic views, forming part of the South Pennine Water Trail.

Touring cyclists in Greater Manchester can enjoy a wide array of scenic views. Routes along canals offer unique perspectives on industrial heritage and vibrant communities, while paths through country parks like Stalybridge Country Park and Etherow Country Park provide tranquil lake and river valley vistas. The western fringes of the Peak District, accessible from Greater Manchester, feature dramatic moorlands, rolling hills, and reservoirs like Dovestone, offering breathtaking natural beauty.

Yes, the region boasts several natural attractions, including waterfalls. You might encounter waterfalls in areas like Healy Dell Nature Reserve, or explore highlights such as Birchen Clough Waterfall or Cheesden Lumb Mill Ruins and Waterfall. For more natural water features, consider visiting Etherow Country Park Lake and Weir.

The spring and summer months (April to September) generally offer the most pleasant conditions for touring cycling in Greater Manchester, with milder weather and longer daylight hours. However, the varied terrain means that many routes, particularly the flatter canal paths and reclaimed railway lines, are accessible year-round, weather permitting. Winter cycling can be enjoyable on well-maintained, traffic-free paths, but be prepared for colder temperatures and potentially wet conditions.

Many touring cycling routes in Greater Manchester are easily accessible by public transport. The region has a comprehensive network of trains, trams (Metrolink), and buses. Key routes like the Bridgewater Way connect urban centers, making it convenient to start and finish rides without a car. Always check the specific public transport operator's policy on carrying bicycles before you travel.

Absolutely. Greater Manchester's routes often connect urban areas with significant green spaces and historical sites. For example, the Old Trafford to WHS Worsley loop offers a journey through varied scenery. The extensive canal network also provides a unique perspective on the region's industrial heritage, passing through vibrant communities and by urban marinas. Additionally, the GM Ringway, a 200-mile trail, explores the green spaces, waterways, and countryside of all ten boroughs, offering numerous points of interest.

Yes, for those seeking a challenge, the eastern parts of Greater Manchester provide access to the western fringes of the Peak District. This area features rolling hills and moorlands, offering routes with significant climbs and breathtaking views. The Manchester loop, for instance, includes over 320 meters of elevation gain, providing a more demanding experience.