Shrewsbury Canal & River Severn loop from Shrewsbury

Embark on an easy touring bicycle ride along the Shrewsbury Canal & River Severn loop from Shrewsbury, a route that combines peaceful riverside and canal paths with rural landscapes. You'll cycle on mostly paved surfaces, with some fine gravel sections, enjoying scenic views of the River Severn and passing through the beautiful Quarry Park in Shrewsbury. This accessible 15.2-mile (24.5 km) loop involves a gentle 349 feet (106 metres) of elevation gain, making it an easy ride that typically takes around 1 hour and 26 minutes to complete. Keep an eye out for wildlife like kingfishers and otters as you pedal through varied scenery.

This route is highly accessible and suitable for all skill and fitness levels, making it a popular choice for family-friendly cycling adventures. Its easy rating means you can enjoy a relaxed pace, and much of the route is traffic-free, particularly the section from Shrewsbury to Uffington, which enhances safety and enjoyment. The combination of tarmac and gravel paths makes it suitable for a variety of touring bikes. You can start this loop directly from Shrewsbury, a historic market town, and enjoy a largely traffic-free experience for a significant portion of your ride.

Discover the rich history woven into this trail, which follows the path of the old Shrewsbury Canal, an engineering marvel built by Thomas Telford between 1792 and 1796. This canal notably featured the world's first iron aqueduct and innovative lock gates. A significant portion of the route is also part of National Cycle Network Route 81. As you follow the River Severn, you will pass under several historic bridges and near the Shrewsbury weir, all while enjoying the backdrop of Shrewsbury's largely unaltered medieval street plan and timber-framed buildings.