Perfect UK cycling holidays

The Great British public cycles more than five billion miles every year. With hundreds of cycling routes just waiting to be explored across the UK, we’ve put together a collection of popular routes, so you can put your best pedal forward. Make your next cycling holiday a staycation to remember!

Want to find a holiday park nearby to rest your legs? Use our handy guides here.

Applecross Loop, Scotland
Distance: 70km
Known for: the steepest ascent of any road in the UK.

If you’re after coastal views, highland landscapes, and a mammoth challenge, the Applecross Loop is perfect. Not for the faint-hearted, you’ll travel part of the North Coast 500 (the UK’s answer to Route 66) and scale Bealach na Bá. This epic 9km climb offers outstanding views that you’ll be hard pushed to find anywhere else in the UK.

Caledonia Way, Scotland
Distance: 380km (shorter routes available)
Known for: being the trip of a lifetime.

Make the most of time on your bike on the Caledonia Way which is perfect for a week-long staycation. Meandering through the Highlands, you’ll be spoilt with iconic Scottish scenery from lochs to castles, from mountains to heather strewn moorland. And if you fancy yourself as a birdwatcher, keep your eyes on the skies (while stationary of course!) and you might just spot a Golden Eagle.

Berwick to Lindisfarne, Northumberland
Distance: 24km
Known for: magnificent views of Lindisfarne Castle.

Northumberland is a staycation favourite for a reason - and this cycle route will show you why. Taking you off the beaten track across wild landscapes, gold sandy beaches, breath-taking clifftops, and quaint harbour towns of Northumberland, you’ll want to keep riding for miles. With Lindisfarne taking centre stage as the final stop, there’s plenty to see and do on this moderate and varied ride.

Pennine Cycleway, Peak District
Distance: 572km (shorter routes available)
Known for: being one of England’s toughest rides.

Snaking through three national parks, this mammoth ride boasts glorious scenery. If you’re only stopping for a night, the Peak District section of the ride is perfect for you. It’s just over 120km and takes you over hills and through dales while still allowing you to clock up a decent BPM. Take in market towns and charming café pitstops, ending up in Holmfirth, the home of Last of the Summer Wine.

Yorkshire Dales Cycleway, Yorkshire
Distance: 209km
Known for: being part of the Tour De Yorkshire route.

Take in this route at a leisurely pace across a week or dip in and out along the route. However, you choose to ride it, you’ll be rewarded with waterfalls, iconic Yorkshire landscapes, traditional village pubs, and challenging hill climbs. Starting in Skipton, you can whet your whistle in the highest pub in Britain – the Tan Hill Inn - or take in the magnificent scale of the Ribblehead Viaduct.

Bristol/Bath Railway Path, Somerset
Distance: 21km
Known for: being a smooth, easy ride through stunning surroundings.

Bristol and Bath are both bursting with culture and history. So, this route is perfect if you want to experience the best of Britain alongside some serene countryside landscapes. The man-made route was created over 40 years ago to link up the two cities. It takes you through lush green landscapes and vibrant cities. In between, you can spot sculptures, steam trains, and a unique signal box café.

South Downs Way
Distance: 155km
Known for: being the only route set entirely within a national park.

Pack your mountain bike, choose your favourite snacks, and head to Sussex. The South Downs Way is a treasure trove of history, including Iron Age forts, abandoned villages, and Bronze Age burial grounds. As the landscape rises and falls beneath you, you’ll be wracking up the miles in no time. All while taking in spectacular views of the white cliffs of Beachy Head, bustling Winchester, and the glorious English Channel.  

Camel Trail, Cornwall
Distance: 20km
Known for: being a family-friendly route.

With very little traffic and very few hills, this is a great route to spend the day with your family. See Cornwall as you’ve never seen it before and travel along a disused railway line, beginning in Padstow towards Bodmin. Picture: coastal views for miles, delicious fish restaurants along the way, and refreshing sea air. Take a break on the banks of the Camel Estuary and see if you can spot some wildlife in the mudflats and salt marshes.

Elan Valley, Wales
Distance: 27km (shorter routes available)
Known for: being one of the best spots for mountain biking in Wales.

If you want a challenge but fancy a shorter route, the Elan Valley is the perfect place. Known as ‘the Lake District of Wales’, you’ll find lots of hills while riding along remote trails and past reservoirs and old railways. And if you want that perfect Instagram shot, you’ll find it as you ride through the Cambrian mountains, remote hamlets, and Claerwen reservoir. If you want something a bit easier but don’t want to miss out on the scenery, there are plenty of other trails to pick from like the 9km Ant Hills route.

Lakeland Loop, Lake District 
Distance: 65km
Known for: being voted Britain’s best bike ride.

Unsurprisingly, this route has a reputation for being one of the most beautiful in the UK. But don’t be fooled – with beauty comes tricky terrain, unpredictable weather, and jaw-dropping gradients. But you’ll reap the rewards of a 1,700m climb. Taking in spectacular lakeside views, peaceful roads and the heart stopping Wrynose Pass, it’s guaranteed to be the ride of a lifetime. 

Here at Victory, we’re always looking for our next adventure and we’d love to hear about your cycling adventures. Found a route you’d love to tell others about? Head over to our Instagram page to let us know.