Cambridgeshire Cycle Routes
Cambridgeshire has a selection of well signed cycle routes many of which are off road and very flat. This makes it an ideal county for family cycling. There's plenty to see including the famous university town of Cambridge (pictured) which is well served by bike routes, including a lovely waterside ride along the River Cam (below).
Use the links to view full route information including elevation profiles, interactive maps and GPS downloads.
You can also view an overview map of all the routes in the using the Cambridgeshire Cycle Map>>
There are several National Cycle Networksigned routes in the county many of which have been mapped and can be viewed and downloaded below.
For more information on cycle routes in Cambridgeshire including tips, advice and free cycle maps please click here
| Route Name | Photo | Distance | Description |
| Cambridge to Ely | 26.1 miles (42 km) | This route follows National Cycle Route 11 and 51 through Cambridgeshire. The route starts on the River Cam in Cambridge and heads along the river and National Cycle route 11 before joining National Cycle Route 51 near Fen Ditton. A series of quiet country roads and off road paths take you to Burwell where you join National Cycle route 11 turning North West. Country roads then take you to a pleasant stretch through Wicken Fen and then onto another off road section along the River Ouse before reaching the finish point by the Cathedral in Ely. View Full Details>> | |
| Cambridge to Huntingdon | 23.6 miles (38 km) | This route follows National Cycle routes 11 and 51 through Cambridgeshire from Cambridge to Huntingdon. View Full Details>> | |
| Cambridge to Newmarket | 20.5 miles (33 km) | This route follows National Cycle routes 11 and 51 through Cambridgeshire to Suffolk. The route starts on the River Cam in Cambridge and heads along the river and National Cycle Route 11 before joining National Cycle Route 51 near Fen Ditton. A series of quiet country roads and off road paths take you to Burwell before an off road stretch takes you into Newmarket, home of the famous racecourse. View Full Details>> | |
| Cambridge to St Ives along the Busway | 12.4 miles (20 km) | Enjoy a walk or cycle along this disused railway line which now forms part of National Cycle Network Route 51. It's now a great traffic free tarmac path following the route of the new Cambridgeshire Guided Busway which connects Cambridge, Huntingdon and St Ives. It runs just alongside the busway starting near the Cambridge Science Park just north of the city centre. You then head west passing Histon and the lovely Fen Drayton Lakes. View Full Details>> | |
| Cambridge to Stansted Mountfitchet | 31.1 miles (50 km) | Travel from Cambridgeshire to Essex along National Cycle Route 11. The route starts in the centre of Cambridge and heads south to Stansted Mountfitchet on a series of country roads and off road tracks. View Full Details>> | |
| Cambridge to Waterbeach | 7.5 miles (12 km) | Follow the River Cam and National Cycle Route 11 on this lovely easy ride. The ride starts in the centre of Cambridge taking you past some of the famous colleges in this lovely university town. View Full Details>> | |
| Ely to Downham Market | 23.6 miles (38 km) | This easy route follows National Cycle Route 11 from Cambridgeshire to Norfolk. View Full Details>> | |
| Fen Drayton Lakes | 3.4 miles (5.5 km) | This large RSPB nature reserve near St Ives has some nice walking trails and a cycle path running through it. The reserve consists of a series of lakes, ponds and lagoons with the River Great Ouse running through the northern section. There's lots of well laid out trails taking you around and between the lakes with National Cycle Route 51 running through the central section along the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway. The reserve is a haven for water loving wildlife with huge numbers of ducks, swans and geese on the lakes in winter. Also look out for terns, hobbies, lapwings, coots and a variety of dragonflies. You can extend your walk by picking up the Ouse Valley Way which runs through the reserve. If you head west it will take you into St Ives and then onto the lovely Houghton Mill which is well worth a visit. Heading north along the waymarked trail takes you along the river to Earith. There's also another public footpath running along the Ouse into nearby Hemingford Grey. Cyclists can continue along the Cambridge to St Ives busway cycle path. It's a great traffic free route running along a disused railway line. View Full Details>> | |
| Ferry Meadows Country Park | 5 miles (8 km) | This super country park in Peterborough has several pretty lakes with cycling and walking trails running alongside the water's edge. View Full Details>> | |
| Grafham Water Circular Ride | 11.2 miles (18 km) | A cycle and walking route around the beautiful Grafham Water in Cambridgeshire. The route passes through woodland and the villages of Grafton and West Perry. There is also a nature reserve at the western end of the lake where you will see a variety of birdlife. Sailboats are also common during the warmer months of the year. Cycle hire is available at the start of the route at the eastern end of the reservoir. It's possible to create a longer circular walk around the lake using The Three Shires Way long distance trail. The waymarked footpath runs towards Great Staughton on the southern side of the reservoir. It will take you through some nice countryside before returning to the lakeside. To extend your walking in the area you could visit the nearby Brampton Wood. View Full Details>> | |
| Grantchester Cycle Path | 1.9 miles (3 km) | This largley traffic free path runs from Cambridge to the nearby village of Grantchester. It passes the lovely Grantchester Meadows, an idyllic spot next to the River Cam. Most of the route takes place on a flat surfaced path, ideal for families or anyone looking for a safe, easy ride. The route starts in Cambridge city centre and heads south through Sheep's Green and Lammas Land. The area around Sheep's Green is a nature reserve with cows and sheep grazing next to the meandering river. The route continues south past Skater's Meadow before coming to Grantchester village. Here you can enjoy a cream tea at the delightful Orchard Tea Room. It's an idyllic setting with outdoor seating amongst the fruit trees. View Full Details>> | |
| Hinchingbrooke Country Park | 3.1 miles (5 km) | Explore 170 acres of open grasslands, meadows, woodlands and lakes in this fine country park in Huntingdon. There are a number of pleasant woodland and lakeside paths to enjoy.
There is also a bridleway/cycle path running through the park while National Cycle Route 51 runs past the perimeter. For mountain bikers there is a specially designed course with mounds of various sizes. The park has excellent facilities with a visitor centre and cafe. View Full Details>> | |
| Huntingdon to Peterborough | 26.7 miles (43 km) | Follow National Cycle Route 12 through the Cambridgeshire countryside on this pleasant route. View Full Details>> | |
| Huntingdon to St Neots | 15.5 miles (25 km) | This ride follows National Cycle Route 51 through Cambridgeshire. The route starts outside the tourist information centre in Huntingdon and heads to Brampton passing Hinchingbrooke Country Park. You then continue past Brampton Wood to Grafham Water where a pleasant off road stretch takes you along the water and onto the The Three Shires Way. Country roads then take you onto St Neots where you will cross the bridge over the River Ouse before finishing near the tourist information centre in the town. View Full Details>> | |
| King's Lynn to Wisbech | 19.9 miles (32 km) | This very flat ride takes you from Norfolk into Cambridgeshire through the Fenlands and along National Cycle route 1. The route starts on the banks of the River Ouse in King's Lynn then follows a series of quiet country roads to Wisbech situated by the River Nene. View Full Details>> | |
| Lodes Way | 18 miles (29 km) | This circular cycling trail runs through the Cambridgeshire Lodes on National Cycle Route 11 from the Wicken Fen Nature Reserve to Bottisham. View Full Details>> | |
| London to Cambridge | 80.8 miles (130 km) | This long distance cycle ride takes you from the Thames in London, through Essex and Cambridgeshire, to the Univeristy city of Cambridge. The route uses a mixture of National Cycle Network Routes and Local Cycle Routes to take you between these two great English cities. There's lots of traffic free sections, particularly at the start as you head through London and Lee Valley Park. The route then follows a mixture of country lanes and minor roads to Waltham Abbey, Harlow and Stansted Mountfitchet, before finishing in Cambridge. The ride starts off at the Cutty Sark on the Thames in Greenwich. You then follow NCN Route 1 north, over the river and through the Isle of Dogs. Nice waterside sections along the Regent's Canal and the Lee Valley Navigation make for an easy, traffic free start to the ride. The next section takes you along Walthamstow Reservoirs and through Lee Valley Park, with more traffic free paths alongside a series of lakes. The route continues north through Waltham Abbey, passing through the pretty River Lee Country Park and Nazeing Meads. Around here you turn east through Harlow, passing Matching Tye before turning north to Matching Green. The route then follows a series of quiet country lanes to Takely, where you pick up a section of the Flitch Way along a dismantled railway line. This takes you west, past Hatfield Forest to Birchanger. View Full Details>> | |
| March to Wisbech | 12.4 miles (20 km) | This easy route follows National Cycle Route 63 through Cambridgeshire. The route starts by the railway station in March and heads north along a mixture of off road paths and country roads finishing by the tourist information centre in Wisbech. Highlights include views of the Twenty Foot River and some lovely rural views. View Full Details>> | |
| Milton Country Park | 1.4 miles (2.3 km) | This lovely park in Cambridge boasts nearly 100 acres of lakes and gardens interlaced with footpaths and cycle trails. The Park includes a Visitor Centre with cafe, play-areas, viewing platforms and a sensory garden. The park can be reached by following the River Cam and the Fen Rivers Way from the centre of Cambridge. This section also makes for a lovely traffic free cycle ride. To extend your walkin in the area you can try our circular Cambridge Backs Walk which takes you on a tour of the famous university colleges. View Full Details>> | |
| National Cycle Route 12 | 110 miles (177 km) | This signed National Cycle Route runs from Enfield in north London to Spalding in Lincolnshire. View Full Details>> | |
| National Cycle Route 53 - Peterborough to Kettering | 31.1 miles (50 km) | This route takes you from Cambridgeshire to Northamptonshire along National Cycle route 53. The route starts by the railway station in Peterborough and begins with a series of off road sections before country roads take you onto Warmington, Brigstock and finally Kettering. This is a pleasant route passing near several wooded areas around Brigstock and Grafton Underwood. View Full Details>> | |
| National Cycle Route 63 | 113.7 miles (183 km) | This signed Sustrans cycle route follows National Cycle Route 63 from Shobnall near Burton on Trent to Wisbech. View Full Details>> | |
| Newmarket to Ely | 20.5 miles (33 km) | This route follows National Cycle Route 51 and National Cycle Route 11 from Suffolk into Cambridgeshire. The route starts near the tourist information centre in Newmarket and follows National Cycle Route 51 to Burwell where you join National Cycle route 11 turning North West. Country roads then take you to a pleasant stretch through Wicken Fen and then onto another off road section along the River Ouse before reaching the finish point by the Cathedral in Ely. View Full Details>> | |
| Peterborough Green Wheel | 19.9 miles (32 km) | This circular cycle route explores the area around the Cambridgeshire city of Peterborough. View Full Details>> | |
| Peterborough to March | 19.9 miles (32 km) | Follow National Cycle Route 63 from Peterborough to March on this easy route. The start of the route follows the River Nene out of Peterborough to Whittlesey before a series of off road tracks and quiet country lanes take you into March finishing at the train station. View Full Details>> | |
| Peterborough to Spalding | 31.1 miles (50 km) | This lovely flat route follows National Cycle routes 63 and 12 passing through Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire. The route starts in Peterborough first following the River Nene out of the town centre to the lovely Ferry Meadows Country Park. Much of the route is off road with pleasant stretches along various waterways including the River Welland. The route finishes in Spalding near the train station. View Full Details>> | |
| Peterborough to Stamford | 16.8 miles (27 km) | Follow National Cycle Route 63 through Cambridgeshire and onto Lincolnshire. You start by the railway station in Peterborough and soon join a lovely off road section that runs along the River Nene and through Ferry Meadows Country Park. You then continue on road through Castor and Ailsworth before passing the lovely Castor Hanglands. The ride then progresses onto Stamford via Barnack, crossing the River Welland before finishing by the tourist information centre in Stamford. View Full Details>> | |
| Peterborough To Whittlesey | 5.6 miles (9 km) | This ride follows National Cycle Route 63 from Peterborough To Whittlesey. View Full Details>> | |
| The Three Shires Way | 37.3 miles (60 km) | The Three Shires Way is a long distance bridleway which runs between Tathall End in north-east Buckinghamshire and Grafham Water in Cambridgeshire. The shared cycling and walking route traces the outline of ancient trackways and passes through a beautiful rural landscape. Along the way it skirts several small, historic villages, meanders through remnants of ancient woodland, and has many spectacular views. The route is (sometimes) signposted with the Three Shires Way logo and officially runs for 37 miles, though it's nearer 39 miles long if starting/finishing at the Grafham Water Car Park. I'd recommend cycling north to south (unless faced by a strong south or south-west wind), hence : Start at Grafham Water Car Park, Cambs : TL166680 Finish at Tathall End, Milton Keynes : SP820468 A circular route around Grafham Water is also available, which extends the total distance to almost 47 miles. It passes through Easton, Spaldwick, Covington, Shelton, Yielden, Knotting, Lavendon and Emberton before arriving at Tathall End. It is generally a quiet rural route, much of it on clay and very muddy at certain times of the year. Some parts are classified as a 'Byway Open to All Traffic' or a 'Road Used as a Public Path' (generally open April to October), and are therefore legally accessible by motor vehicles. These tracks can be very rutted indeed; a notable example is Forty Foot Lane. Beware! Note : Mapped on the 1:25,000 series Submitted by:Mark Worthington November 2008 View Full Details>> | |
| Wicken Fen | 8.7 miles (14 km) | Enjoy a walk or cycle through the beautiful Wicken Fen Nature Reserve in Cambridgeshire. National Cycle Route 11 runs right through Wicken Fen and there are some peaceful country lanes around the reserve. Bike hire is available from just £5. The route below starts at the pretty village of Wicken before passing through the reserve and into the surrounding countryside. You follow quiet lanes to Upware, located on the River Cam, before returning to Wicken Village. In the reserve you will find flowering meadows, reedbeds and waterways where you can see a variety of wildlife such as hen harriers, water voles and bitterns. In the Baker's Fen area you can also see konik ponies, highland cattle, lapwings and barn owls. If you're on foot you can follow the Boardwalk Trail or the longer Nature Trail while stopping off at one of the many bird hides. In the summer months you can also enjoy a 50 minute boat trip along the waterways of Wicken Fen. A number of options are available if you would like to continue your outing. If you're on foot you could follow the Fen Rivers Way along the River Great Ouse to Ely. For cyclists National Route 11 runs along quiet roads and the River Great Ouse to Ely. Or you can head east towards Newmarket via Burwell. View Full Details>> | |
| Wisbech to Boston | 38.5 miles (62 km) | Travel from Cambridgeshire to Lincolnshire along National Cycle route 1 on this very flat route. The route starts near the tourist information centre in Wisbech heading north through the countryside on a series of quiet roads before finishing in the centre of Boston. View Full Details>> |
