The best cycling routes around the the River Severn

Embark on an easy touring bicycle ride along the Shrewsbury Canal & River Severn loop from Shrewsbury, a route that combines peaceful riverside and canal paths with rural landscapes. You'll cycle on mostly paved surfaces, with some fine gravel sections, enjoying scenic views of the River Severn and passing through the beautiful Quarry Park in Shrewsbury. This accessible 15.2-mile (24.5 km) loop involves a gentle 349 feet (106 metres) of elevation gain, making it an easy ride that typically takes around 1 hour and 26 minutes to complete. Keep an eye out for wildlife like kingfishers and otters as you pedal through varied scenery.

This route is highly accessible and suitable for all skill and fitness levels, making it a popular choice for family-friendly cycling adventures. Its easy rating means you can enjoy a relaxed pace, and much of the route is traffic-free, particularly the section from Shrewsbury to Uffington, which enhances safety and enjoyment. The combination of tarmac and gravel paths makes it suitable for a variety of touring bikes. You can start this loop directly from Shrewsbury, a historic market town, and enjoy a largely traffic-free experience for a significant portion of your ride.

Discover the rich history woven into this trail, which follows the path of the old Shrewsbury Canal, an engineering marvel built by Thomas Telford between 1792 and 1796. This canal notably featured the world's first iron aqueduct and innovative lock gates. A significant portion of the route is also part of National Cycle Network Route 81. As you follow the River Severn, you will pass under several historic bridges and near the Shrewsbury weir, all while enjoying the backdrop of Shrewsbury's largely unaltered medieval street plan and timber-framed buildings.

Embark on a moderate touring cycling adventure around Bredon Hill from Tewkesbury, a route that spans 24.3 miles (39.0 km) with an elevation gain of 630 feet (192 metres). You can expect to complete this journey in about 2 hours and 22 minutes. As you cycle, you will experience diverse scenery, passing through the Bredon Hill National Nature Reserve, which is known for its rich flora and fauna. The trail offers picturesque landscapes, including woodlands and charming villages, with the historic Bredon Barn standing out as a notable landmark along the way.

To begin your ride, Tewkesbury serves as a convenient starting point, offering ample parking and good connections to national cycle networks. The area around Bredon Hill provides various cycling options, so you can choose between gentler road rides or more challenging ascents depending on your preference. While there are no specific warnings about snow conditions or road closures for this particular route, some tracks on Bredon Hill are well-maintained by the Overbury Estate, ensuring a pleasant ride.

This route is particularly notable for the panoramic views you can enjoy from the summit of Bredon Hill. From this vantage point, you will see sweeping vistas across the Cotswold escarpment, the Vale of Evesham, the Malvern Hills, and the Severn Valley. The trail combines quiet country roads with some more demanding sections, offering a varied and engaging experience for touring cyclists. It's a great way to explore the beautiful Worcestershire countryside and its natural and historical highlights.

Embark on the Mercian Way, a moderate touring bicycle route that guides you through the picturesque Cotswolds National Landscape. This 30.3-mile (48.8 km) journey, with an elevation gain of 1113 feet (339 metres), offers a diverse cycling experience, taking approximately 3 hours and 12 minutes to complete. You will pedal along tranquil canal towpaths, former railway paths, and quiet country lanes, enjoying glimpses of the River Severn. Expect a mix of paved roads and some dirt or gravel sections, winding through ancient woodlands and historic towns. Make sure to take in the expansive views from Haresfield Beacon, a notable landmark along the way.

Before you set out on the Mercian Way, consider that the route features about 74% paved roads and 10% dirt or gravel tracks. Some of these unpaved sections can become rough and muddy, especially after rainfall, so a hybrid, adventure, or hardtail mountain bike is recommended over a standard road bike for comfort and capability. General parking is available in Gloucester, which serves as a convenient starting point for your ride. Plan your visit to allow ample time to enjoy the varied scenery and historic points of interest.

The Mercian Way is notable for its journey through a landscape rich in history and natural beauty, connecting you with the region's past. You will traverse paths that once served as vital transport links, such as the Stroud Canal Towpath, offering a unique perspective on the area's industrial heritage. The route provides an excellent opportunity to explore the diverse ecosystems of the Cotswolds, from riverside habitats to ancient woodlands. This trail stands out as a comprehensive way to experience the varied character of the National Landscape on two wheels.

Embark on the Severn Valley & Ironbridge loop from Bridgnorth, a moderate touring cycling route that spans 21.1 miles (34.0 km) with an elevation gain of 1337 feet (407 metres). You can expect to complete this journey in about 2 hours and 28 minutes. The trail offers picturesque views as you cycle along the scenic Severn Valley, through attractive woodlands, and past the historic Ironbridge Gorge, where you will see the iconic Iron Bridge.

For this ride, a mountain, hybrid, or gravel bike is recommended over a road bike, as some sections feature unpaved surfaces, chunky gravel, and potential mud, especially during winter. While much of the route follows a disused railway line offering a relatively flat gradient, other parts may be more demanding, and you might even need to walk your bike through certain segments. You will find various spots for refreshments and rest in places like Coalport, the Jackfield Tile Museum, and Ironbridge itself.

This loop is one of the most popular touring cycling routes in the Bridgnorth area, forming a significant part of National Cycle Route 45, also known as the Mercian Way. The trail connects the unique town of Bridgnorth with the Ironbridge Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its pivotal industrial archaeology. Immerse yourself in history as you pass by sites such as Coalport and the Jackfield Tile Museum, experiencing the rich heritage of the early industrial revolution.

Embark on the Nesscliffe loop from Shrewsbury, a moderate touring cycling route covering 34.3 miles (55.2 km) with an elevation gain of 1242 feet (379 metres), typically completed in 3 hours and 21 minutes. You will experience a diverse mix of paved and unpaved terrain, winding through woodland trails and heather-covered hills. Expect expansive views over the Shropshire countryside, stretching towards the Welsh hills, with Oliver's Point offering particularly captivating panoramas across the middle Severn Valley.

While the route is generally suitable for touring bikes, be prepared for some unpaved segments, especially on bridleways through the heathland. The research suggests that some parts might even include short, steep, rocky descents, which could require dismounting and walking if you are not on a mountain bike. The area is accessible for cycling, but specific trailhead access or parking details are not provided in the research; plan your start from Shrewsbury accordingly.

This area is rich in history and natural beauty, making your ride more than just a physical challenge. You can explore Nesscliffe Hill Country Park, home to an Iron Age hill fort dating back to 500 BCE, with visible earthworks and stone-lined guard chambers. Look out for Kynaston's Cave, a man-made sandstone hideout linked to the medieval outlaw Humphrey Kynaston. For a historical refreshment stop, The Old 3 Pigeons Pub, with its history from 1405, is conveniently located on the western side of the park.

Embark on a difficult touring bicycle journey through the heart of Wales with the Llyn Clywedog & Hafren Forest loop from Llanidloes. This challenging route spans 17.7 miles (28.5 km) and involves a significant climb of 1744 feet (532 metres), typically taking about 2 hours and 1 minute to complete. As you pedal, you will navigate through dense woodlands of Hafren Forest, offering a deep immersion into diverse Welsh landscapes. The trail also skirts the expansive Llyn Clywedog reservoir, where you can enjoy panoramic views across the water. Look out for the impressive Severn Break-its-Neck waterfall, a natural highlight along your ride.

Planning your visit is straightforward, as the route is known for its relatively traffic-free roads, providing a peaceful cycling experience. You will find several opportunities to pause and rest, such as at the Afon Biga picnic area or a scenic viewpoint situated above the Clywedog dam. The path is predominantly paved, ensuring a smooth ride for most of its duration, with only short unpaved sections to navigate. Consider starting your ride early to make the most of the tranquil conditions.

This area is rich in both natural beauty and historical intrigue. Beyond the stunning reservoir and forest, you might spot local wildlife, including majestic red kites and buzzards soaring overhead. The route also passes the historic abandoned Bryntail mine buildings, offering a glimpse into the region's industrial past. This combination of natural and historical elements makes the Llyn Clywedog & Hafren Forest loop a distinctive and rewarding touring bicycle adventure in Mid Wales.

Embark on the Montgomery Canal & Dolforwyn Castle loop from Newtown, an easy touring bicycle ride covering 10.7 miles (17.2 km) with 470 feet (143 metres) of elevation gain. This route offers a varied experience, blending tranquil canal paths with countryside climbs. You will cycle along picturesque canal-side paths, often compacted gravel or paved, enjoying views of the River Severn and the surrounding rural landscape. A highlight is the atmospheric ruins of Dolforwyn Castle, perched on a hillside overlooking the valley, providing expansive vistas.

This loop is designed for touring cyclists and takes approximately 1 hour and 5 minutes to complete. While the canal towpath sections are largely flat and easy, the wider loop incorporating Dolforwyn Castle introduces rolling hills and some unpaved segments, requiring at least a moderate level of fitness. The trail is suitable for families on the canal sections, but be prepared for more varied terrain as you venture towards the castle.

The Montgomery Canal is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation, known for its unique aquatic plant diversity and wildlife like otters and water voles. The route also passes the historic Brynderwen Iron Bridge, built in 1852. This trail offers a blend of historical significance and natural beauty, providing a comprehensive experience of the region's environment and heritage.

Embark on a challenging touring bicycle adventure through the western Cotswolds, starting and ending in Gloucester. This difficult 42.8-mile (68.8 km) loop will test your endurance with 1654 feet (504 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 4 hours and 15 minutes to complete. You will pedal through classic English countryside, encountering rolling hills, picturesque villages, and charming stone farms.

As you plan your ride, be prepared for varied terrain that includes both well-paved roads and potentially unpaved segments or gravel tracks. A good level of fitness and a suitable touring bicycle are highly recommended to comfortably tackle the route's demands. While some sections might be traffic-free, expect to share the road with vehicles on other parts of the journey.

This route offers a rewarding exploration of the Cotswolds, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. From elevated viewpoints like Cleeve Hill, you can enjoy expansive vistas across the Severn Valley, the Malvern Hills, and even glimpse towards Wales. The journey provides a diverse experience, showcasing quaint cottages and flower-filled gardens that define the region's unique charm.

Embark on a challenging touring bicycle ride around the Llyn Clywedog loop, starting from Llanidloes. This route covers 19.7 miles (31.7 km) and features a significant elevation gain of 1681 feet (512 metres), making it a difficult journey that takes approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes to complete. As you pedal, you will experience the varied contours of the Welsh hills, cycling closely alongside the striking Llyn Clywedog reservoir. Keep an eye out for the Hafren Forest Waterfall as you pass through the expansive Hafren Forest, enjoying panoramic views of the Upper Severn Valley from higher elevations. The atmosphere is one of serene natural beauty, with rolling hills stretching into the distance.

Your touring bicycle adventure begins and ends in Llanidloes, a welcoming town known for its distinctive Old Market Hall. Parking is generally available in Llanidloes, making it a convenient spot to start your ride. The roads along this loop are typically traffic-free, which contributes to a more pleasant cycling experience. Plan your visit to allow ample time to enjoy the scenery without feeling rushed.

This route offers a unique opportunity to explore the engineering marvel of the Llyn Clywedog reservoir, which was created by damming the Clywedog river. The reservoir is a central feature of the landscape, providing ever-changing views as you cycle its perimeter. Beyond the reservoir, the trail showcases the broader natural beauty of the region, from the dense Hafren Forest to the sweeping vistas of the Upper Severn Valley. It is a journey through both natural and man-made landscapes.