The best cycling routes in Leicestershire

Leicestershire offers a wide variety of touring cycling routes, with over 1,500 options recorded on komoot. These routes cater to all skill levels, including approximately 500 easy routes, 889 moderate routes, and 160 more challenging trails.

Yes, Leicestershire is well-suited for easy and family-friendly cycling. Many routes follow disused railway lines or dedicated cycle paths, offering traffic-free and gentle terrain. A great example is The Great Oxendon Tunnel loop from Market Harborough, which is an easy ride through a historic tunnel. The National Forest also features dedicated cycle paths, such as the Hicks Lodge Trail – Willesley Wood loop from Oakthorpe and Donisthorpe, which is mostly paved and suitable for all skill levels.

Leicestershire's touring cycling routes offer diverse terrain. You'll find gentle country lanes, dedicated cycle paths through ancient woodlands like the National Forest and Charnwood Forest, and routes along tranquil waterways. For those seeking more challenge, areas around Charnwood Forest and Burrough Hill, sometimes referred to as the 'Leicestershire Alps', provide routes with significant elevation changes and rugged sections.

While many routes are designed for day trips, some can be combined or are longer in nature. For example, the Ivanhoe Way to Thornton Reservoir from Ashby-de-la-Zouch covers over 60 km, offering a substantial ride through varied countryside. The National Cycle Network also passes through Leicestershire, providing options for extended journeys.

Leicestershire boasts several scenic spots accessible by bike. You can cycle to Beacon Hill Summit in Charnwood Forest for panoramic views, or explore the historic Old John Tower and Ruins of Bradgate House within Bradgate Park. Watermead Country Park offers peaceful lakeside views, and the Swithland Reservoir loop from Melton Mowbray provides beautiful waterside cycling.

Yes, Leicestershire has excellent touring cycling routes that utilize disused railway lines, offering flat and traffic-free paths. The Great Oxendon Tunnel loop from Market Harborough is a prime example, passing through the historic tunnel. The Brampton Valley Way is another popular route built on a former railway line, which can be incorporated into longer rides like the Great Oxendon Tunnel – Brampton Valley Way loop from Market Harborough.

Many of Leicestershire's touring cycling routes are designed as circular loops, making them convenient for day trips. Examples include the Bosworth Battlefield loop via Ashby Canal, the loop from Market Harborough to The Source of the River Avon, and the loop from Market Harborough to Foxton Locks.

The touring cycling routes in Leicestershire are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.6 stars from over 800 reviews. Cyclists often praise the region's diverse landscapes, from ancient woodlands and tranquil waterways to historic sites. The extensive network of trails, including dedicated cycle paths and disused railway lines, is frequently highlighted for its accessibility and scenic beauty.

Yes, Leicestershire's waterways offer picturesque cycling opportunities. The Bosworth Battlefield loop via Ashby Canal follows sections of the scenic Ashby Canal. You can also find routes near the Grand Union Canal at Foxton Locks, a notable landmark with its impressive staircase of locks, such as the loop from Market Harborough to Foxton Locks.

For more challenging rides, explore the areas with greater elevation changes, particularly within Charnwood Forest. Routes like the Ivanhoe Way to Thornton Reservoir from Ashby-de-la-Zouch offer significant climbs and descents. The region around Burrough Hill also provides routes with notable elevation, often referred to as the 'Leicestershire Alps' for their demanding terrain and far-reaching views.

Leicestershire is rich in history, with several sites accessible by bike. The Bosworth Battlefield loop via Ashby Canal takes you through the historic Bosworth Battlefield area. You can also visit the ruins of Bradgate House and Old John Tower in Bradgate Park, or see the Moira Furnace and Canal, a preserved 19th-century blast furnace.

The National Forest offers excellent touring cycling routes through its expansive woodlands. Hicks Lodge, a cycling hub within the forest, provides traffic-free trails. A good option is the Hicks Lodge Trail – Willesley Wood loop from Oakthorpe and Donisthorpe, which is an easy ride. For more information on cycling in the National Forest, you can visit visitleicester.info.