Northamptonshire Cycle Routes
There is much to enjoy for the cyclist in Northamptonshire with National Cycle Network Route 6 and the Great Central Cycle Ride passing through the county.
Also of interest is the lovely traffic free Brampton Valley Way which is covered below in the Northampton to Market Harborough route.
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 Northamptonshire 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 Northamptonshire including tips, advice and free cycle maps please click here
| Route Name | Photo | Distance | Description |
| Brampton Valley Way | 14.3 miles (23 km) | This walk and cycle trail runs from the outskirts of Northampton to Market Harborough along the trackbed of a disused railway line and National Cycle Route 6. The route passes Brixworth, Maidwell and Great Oxendon with the popular Brixworth Country Park just off the route. This is well worth a small detour as you will find the lovely Pitsford Reservoir which has a fine waterside cycling and walking trail to try. Cycles can also be hired here at the Brixworth visitor centre. As well as the beautiful rural scenery you will also pass Northampton & Lamport Railway with its old steam railway on this pleasant trail. View Full Details>> | |
| Brixworth Country Park | 11.2 miles (18 km) | A circular cycle or walk around the expansive Brixworth Country Park in Northamptonshire. Pitsford Reservoir is the main feature of the park. It is the 34th largest body of water in England and Wales and has a fabulous cycle and walking path running around the perimeter and a Nature Reserve at the northern end. There is also a sensory garden and a sculpture trail. The route below visits the pretty villages surrounding the reservoir including Brixworth, Walgrave and Scaldwell. Cycle hire is available at the western end of the park and there is also a cafe for refreshments. View Full Details>> | |
| Buckingham to Banbury | 26.1 miles (42 km) | This route follows The Great Central Cycle Ride and the Oxfordshire cycleway from Buckingham to Banbury. The route follows a series of quiet roads through the countryside of Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire and takes you through some pretty villages and lovely scenery. Highlights on the route include the lovely Stow Avenue at the start of the ride and the attractive Biddlesden park (below) View Full Details>> | |
| Buckingham to Daventry | 24.9 miles (40 km) | Follow the Great Central Cycle ride from Buckingham to Daventry. This is a fairly challenging ride taking place mainly on country lanes. Highlights on the route include the lovely Stow Avenue at the start of the ride and the attractive Biddlesden park (below). You will also pass through the pretty villages of Canons Ashby with its manor house and Preston Capes. View Full Details>> | |
| Daventry Country Park | 2.2 miles (3.5 km) | Enjoy woodland, meadows and the lovely Daventry Reservoir on this waterside route in Northamptonshire. The southern part of the reservoir is a designated nature reserve with bird hides. There is also a delightful nature trail through the sensory garden to the pond, with useful information boards along the way. The park has a Visitor Centre, fitness equipment and a cafe. It is located just north of Daventry town centre. View Full Details>> | |
| Daventry to Rugby | 18.6 miles (30 km) | This route starts near Daneholme park in Daventry Country Park and follows The Great Central Cycle Ride to Rugby in Warwickshire. The route largely takes place on quiet country roads and passes through the villages of Ashby St Ledgers and Crick. There are also pleasant views of the Grand Union Canal along the way. The ride finishes near the train station in Rugby. View Full Details>> | |
| Fermyn Woods | 1.6 miles (2.5 km) | This country park and forest has a number of walking trails and two bridleways for cyclists. Formerly known as Brigstock Country Park, it is located a few miles north east of Kettering. For walkers there are three waymarked trails to enjoy: The Skylark Nature trail is an all abilities trail on good surfaced paths. It takes you around the ponds and woods located next to the car park. The Woodland walk is about a mile long and takes you a little further into the woods on good footpaths. The Fermyn Forest Walk is just over two miles taking you deep into the woodland on a mixture of hard and soft tracks. In the park you will find semi-natural oak and ash woodland, ponds, a visitor centre and cafe. It's a splendid area for wildlife watching - look out for Red kites, bullfinch, hawfinch, nightingales, skylark and green woodpeckers. You may also see badgers, fallow deer and Purple emperor butterflies. View Full Details>> | |
| Fineshade Woods | 5 miles (8 km) | Top Lodge in Fineshade Woods has several waymarked cycling and walking trails. For cyclists there is a green graded easy route running through the main woodland block. It is a gentle ride perfect for families on largely flat paths. Running alongside the green route are 7 alternative blue grade sections. These are great for mountain bikers looking for more of a challenge. Walkers can enjoy three colour coded, waymarked trails of varying difficulty. The Smelters' Walk is an easy trail for abilities. It runs for 2 miles on flat well surfaced paths. The moderate Dales Wood Trail visits the Wildlife Hide where can you look out for birds on the feeders and deer in the woodland. There is also a short climb to a viewpoint with great views over Rockingham Forest. For a more challenging walk you can try the Mill Wood Trail which involves a few harder climbs. Along the way you can look out for lots of wildlife including red kite, nightingale, nightjar, woodcock, grasshopper warbler, tree pipit, marsh and willow tits. View Full Details>> | |
| Harrold Odell Country Park | 3.1 miles (5 km) | This park has two pretty lakes set in 144 acres of country park. It is located between Bedford and Northampton on the River Great Ouse near the villages of Harrold and Odell in Bedfordshire. You will find river meadows, a nature reserve, two picturesque lakes and a range of managed habitats. There is also free parking and refreshments in the Tea-Zels Cafe. There are a number of well maintained walking paths around the lakes and through the nature reserve while cycling is permitted along the lakeside bridleway. The North Bedfordshire Heritage Trail also runs through the park so there is scope for continuing your walk if you have time. View Full Details>> | |
| Irchester Country Park | 2.2 miles (3.5 km) | Enjoy numerous walking and cycling trails in this splendid country park in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. The park has peaceuful woodland paths, open meadows and the interesting Irchester Narrow Gauge Railway Museum. There is also plenty of wildlife with Muntjac Deer, hedgehogs, stoats and squirrels. The Nene Way walking trail also runs through the park so you can continue your walk to the River Nene if you have time. Follow it east and you can visit the lovely Rushden Lakes and Stanwick Lakes where there's huge variety of wildlife to look out for on the water. View Full Details>> | |
| Milton Keynes to Northampton | 20.5 miles (33 km) | Follow National Cycle Route 6 and the River Ouse from Milton Keynes to Northampton. The route follows many off road paths including the Midshires Way, Swan's Way and the River Ouse path as you make your way from Buckinghamshire into Northamptonshire. Further highlights on the route are a spell through Salcey Forest and views of the Grand Union Canal. 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>> | |
| Northampton to Market Harborough | 19.9 miles (32 km) | This ride passes from Northamptonshire into Leicestershire along National Cycle Route 6. You start near the tourist information centre in Northampton and soon join the lovely Brampton Valley Way - a 14 mile cycle path following the track bed of a disused railway line. This takes you all the way to the finish point at Market Harborough train station. View Full Details>> | |
| Salcey Forest | 4.3 miles (7 km) | Enjoy peaceful cycling and walking trails in this popular forest in Northamptonshire. For cyclists there is a lovely, family cycle trail starting at the car park. It's a gentle circuit of the forest on surfaced paths but with a couple of road crossings to look out for. Walkers can enjoy three waymarked routes of varying lengths. The easy Elephant walk takes you past Elephant pond. For a longer walk you could try the 10km (6 mile) Woodpecker trail where you can look out for all three British species of woodpecker - the lesser spotted, greater spotted, and green. The forest has good facilities with parking spaces and a very good cafe. It is located about 7 miles south of Northampton. Several long distance cycling and walking trails run through or past the forest so it's easy to continue your exercise in the area. You could pick up the Hanslope Circular Ride, The Swan's Way or the Midshires Way to extend your outing. View Full Details>> | |
| Stanwick Lakes | 3.4 miles (5.5 km) | Explore 750 acres of parkland and nature reserve in the heart of Northamptonshire's beautiful Nene Valley. The park has a lovely cycle and walking track passing between the many lakes. In addition to the circular cycle routes around the lakes there is a four mile linear route running from Irthlingborough towards Thrapston, along a former railway line. Cycle hire is available within the park and there is an excellent visitor centre with interactive displays. The Nene Way walking route passes through the park so you could continue your walk along the River Nene to the nearby town of Wellingborough and the lovely Irchester Country Park. Just to the west you'll find the adjacent Rushden Lakes. View Full Details>> | |
| Wakerley Woods | 3.1 miles (5 km) | Enjoy several cycling and walking trails in this forest near Corby and Peterborough. View Full Details>> | |
| Westbury Circular Ride | 11.8 miles (19 km) | This is a circular walk or cycle ride around Westbury in Buckinghamshire. View Full Details>> |
Your Submitted Routes
| Route Name | Distance | Difficulty |
| The Swan's Way | 65 miles (105 km) | *** |