The best traffic-free bike rides around Sherwood Forest

There are over 130 dedicated no-traffic touring cycling routes in Sherwood Forest, offering a wide range of options for all skill levels. You'll find 66 easy routes, 49 moderate, and 18 more challenging options.

The routes primarily traverse ancient woodlands, heathland, and low, rolling hills. You'll encounter a mix of paved and unpaved surfaces, including well-maintained bridleways and dedicated cycle paths. The sandy soil in areas like Sherwood Pines ensures trails hold up well even in various weather conditions.

Yes, Sherwood Forest is excellent for family cycling. At Sherwood Pines, you can find routes like the 'Family Cycle Trail' (4.8 km) and the 'Maid Marion Trail' (6.4 km), both green-graded, relatively flat, and perfect for beginners and families. These routes combine quiet forest roads with off-road trails.

Sherwood Forest is a great year-round destination for no-traffic cycling due to its well-draining sandy soil. Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures and beautiful scenery, while weekdays generally see fewer visitors than weekends, especially during peak seasons. Even in winter, many trails remain accessible.

You can explore several iconic natural features. Don't miss the legendary The Major Oak, famously associated with Robin Hood. Other notable sights include the Medusa Oak and the English Longhorn Cattle on Budby Heath. Many routes also pass through diverse broadleaved and coniferous woodlands.

Yes, many of the no-traffic routes in Sherwood Forest are circular, allowing you to start and end at the same point. For example, the moderate Budby Waterworks Reservoir – Hazel Gap Sculpture loop offers a 41 km ride, and the easy Clumber Lake – Dirt Track Across Open Fields loop is a shorter 13.5 km option.

The komoot community highly rates the touring cycling experience in Sherwood Forest, with an average score of 4.75 stars from over 300 ratings. Reviewers often praise the tranquil, traffic-free environment, the beauty of the ancient woodlands, and the variety of well-maintained trails suitable for different abilities.

Yes, you can cycle past the famous Major Oak. The moderate Clumber Lake – The Major Oak loop is a great option, offering a 39 km ride that includes this iconic landmark within the Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve.

Sherwood Pines is a central hub for activities and offers excellent visitor facilities. Here you can find bike hire, a café, and play areas, making it a convenient starting point for many of the no-traffic routes. You can also find routes like the Sherwood Pines Visitor Centre – Sherwood Pines Café loop that start and end at these facilities.

Yes, Sustrans Route 6, which connects London to the Lake District, runs along the western edge of the Sherwood Forest reserve. This provides an excellent opportunity for touring cyclists to integrate the forest's no-traffic routes into a longer journey.

Absolutely. While focusing on touring, some no-traffic routes offer a taste of off-road. The 'Adventure Trail' (Blue grade) at Sherwood Pines is a 9.7 km loop designed for cyclists to experience off-road trails and develop skills. There's also a 'Pedal and Play' area at Sherwood Pines specifically for newer mountain bikers to build skills before progressing to blue-graded trails.