With Le Tour de France beginning in little over a fortnight, now seemed the ideal time to celebrate some of the best cycling locations that Britain has to offer. Cycling has only continued to increase in popularity in recent years as a healthy form of exercise and an environmentally friendly mode of transport, even offering adrenaline junkies the buzz that they seek.
For holiday-makers the bicycle is a great means of exploring the vast, reclusive settings that Countrycottagesonline.net has to offer (not to mention the health benefits that come with it!). To celebrate the diverse and unique landscapes that Britain has to offer cyclists, we’ve chosen 5 of its best bicycle trails, giving just a flavour of the options available to holiday-goers. Click on the underlined location of any trail listed below to see what Country Cottages Online has to offer in that area.
Viking Coastal Trail, Kent
Aside from offering a wide range of unique properties, Kent is home to the famed Viking Coastal Trail which takes cyclists down own of the most attractive trails available. It blends rural and coastal perfectly. The trail is suitable for experienced and novice cyclists, offering the option to undertake the full 32 mile round cycle or a shortened 9 mile stretch along the sea wall site-seeing opportunities present throughout the journey: from Monkton Nature Reserve (home to a variety of rare and protected wildlife) to Minster Abbey (one of the oldest known buildings in Britain, dating back to 670AD!).
Lune Valley Trail, Cumbria, Lancashire
This brisk 5 mile trails takes you through the picturesque Lune valley, with renowned spots such as Crook O’ Lune and the Yorkshire Three Peaks making this a truly memorable trail and a must for anyone staying in the Lancashire area. The trail is famous for poet William Wordsworth to produce his famous I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud, subsequently urging travellers to take advantage of this scenic route. The regions of Cumbria and North Yorkshire also border on the English Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales National Park, offering holiday-goers endless adventure and exploration.
Kennet and Avon Canal, Bristol to Reading
Britain’s most popular waterside trail stretches from Bristol to Reading for just under 100 miles. The option to cycle the distance offers experienced cyclists a real challenge; for the more casual cyclist, the 27 mile stretch from Marsh Benham (Newbury) to Reading offers a vast range of stops and pubs to make this a memorable journey and a must for those staying around Reading, Bristol or Newbury.
Elan Valley Trail, Rhayader, Powys, Wales
Taking you round Elan Valleys tranquil reservoirs, this trail is ideal for families looking for a short, rewarding cycle against the stunning back-drops of Rhayader. This small and unique Welsh village (located in Powys) feels frozen in time and is well connected to the surrounding areas. There is also the option to rent a mountain bike and tear up the tougher trails the area has to offer.
Tarka Trail, Devon
Famed for the wildlife the trail offers, Tarka Trail is a 31 mile route along the disused railways of Northern Devon. This unspoiled countryside journey offers the chance for cyclists to encounter and interact with the wildlife found there, with the area been the home to characters like the sea otter. The heritage and history of the surrounding woodlands, valleys, cliffs and much more is brought to life by the audio posts scattered throughout the trail for convenience.
Need more ideas and inspiration? Find out about self-catering cycling holidays on CountryCottagesOnline.Net.
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