The 3 Best Cycle Routes In Bristol
Bristol and Bath Railway Path
Bristol to Portishead
This is one of the most popular routes in Bristol for cyclists and walkers alike. It was originally a railway in the 1960s, before Sustrans converted it into a cycle path between 1979 and 1986. In the process, it became the first of Sustrans’ many cycleways.
Beginning at Queen Square, you ride directly south to the wharf, crossing the small Prince Street bridge before taking a right and cutting through Museum Street to meet the River Avon.
The Bristol and Bath Railway Path is a pointto-point route and can be ridden in either direction. You can set off in Bristol on the corner of Trinity Street and St. Philips Road, or in Bath from the old railway bridge before Windsor Bridge Road. The riverside path continues into the centre of Bath, so why not carry on and explore this beautiful town if you have the time? You won’t have to contend with any cars on this route either. It’s entirely traffic-free and lined with lush greenery, so you’ll feel nestled into the countryside. There are some interesting features along the way as well, namely the Staple Hill tunnel and the traditional Bitton train station serving refreshments, cakes and sandwiches. Distance: 13.9 miles Elevation: 266m Map: Download here
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From here, you ride along the River Avon’s banks as it winds down the striking Avon Gorge, past Leigh Woods and underneath the towering Clifton Suspension Bridge. The dirt path is smooth and the sharpest hill is only a 30m incline over 1.5 miles on the approach to Ham Green, so this ride is well suited to cruising. At the halfway point, you’ll arrive at the quaint boating village of Pill. Here, you can stop for lunch or a quick coffee before pressing onto Portishead. The last quarter of the journey hops back onto the road, but you’ll still ride along tree-lined lanes between farmland for the most part. Once you reach Portishead, you can continue northwest and finally rest at the shoreline overlooking Wales across the Bristol Channel. Distance: 11.2 miles Elevation: 329m Map: Download here
