If World Bicycle Day this week (June 3) inspired you to jump on your bike, here are the some of the best routes around Wiltshire.
Bike Week is taking place between May 30 and June 5, and this year’s theme centres on health and wellbeing.
Cycling not only provides a boost to your physical and mental health, but also lets you experience the history and landscape of Wiltshire from a new point of view.
1. Kennet & Avon Canal
The historic canal meanders through spectacular scenery from Bath to Reading.
The entire route is 82-miles, and takes in limestone aqueducts, Claverton Pumping Station and the dramatic Caen Hill Locks.
Popular with cyclists wary of sharing the road with cars, the section between Bath and Devizes is 22 miles in total - 21 of which are traffic-free.
From the canal, you can also reach Bristol on the 13-mile Bristol and Bath Railway Path.
2. Swindon to Marlborough Railway Path
Another relatively traffic-free route connects Swindon and Marlborough. The 13-mile stretch, which takes little over an hour, is part of the National Cycle Network.
Signposted from Swindon station, designated cycle paths and a couple of short links on minor roads also direct cyclists to the popular Coate Water Park.
3. Salisbury to Stonehenge
A particularly pretty route starts off at Salisbury Cathedral and towards the River Avon.
The route then passes the ancient settlement of Old Sarum before rejoining the river to West Amesbury via Woodford Bridge. A short on road stretch then takes you to Stonehenge, part of the National Trust's Stonehenge Landscape.
By cycling up Woodford Valley to Stonehenge, you can also make a stop at Amesbury along the way.
4. Wiltshire Cycleway
A real feat. This route stretches 160 miles through the countryside and towns of Wiltshire.
The circular cycle route is described as "a great challenge for those looking to push themselves."
The Wiltshire Cycleway can be split into shorter sections or attempted in stages, with plenty of pubs and other places to stay along the route.
5. Route 25
National Route 25 of the National Cycle Network links with National Route 24 at Longleat stately home to the south of Frome. It runs south through Gillingham and Poole to Bournemouth on the Dorset coast.
The cycle takes four hours, with more information available on the Sustrans website.
6. The Ridgeway
Starting off near Marlborough, signposts lead you up the road to the Rideway national trail.
With heavy terrain, it is an option for mountain bikers to explore beautiful views of the surrounding area, and perhaps make a detour to Avebury stone circle.
7. Route 403
A six-mile path between Calne and Chippenham is a peaceful and tranquil (off road and traffic free) part of the 41 miles of the Sustrans National Cycle Route 403, which crosses the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Savernake Forest, linking Marlborough, Avebury, Lacock and Melksham to the Kennet & Avon Canal at Semington.
The cycle path, which is very flat, runs along the old railway line.
Other routes to consider:
8. Salisbury’s Golden Way
Within Salisbury, The Golden Way is a circular route linking off-road cycle paths as well as taking in sections along the River Avon.
9. The Chalke and Wylye Valleys
Travel through the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on your bike passing through pretty villages, along winding lanes and for some spectacular views.
10. The Tidworth Freeride Bike Park
The site is run by the Ministry of Defence and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) in partnership with CTC and Tidworth Freeride. CTC membership is required. The closest rail stations are Grately or Andover.
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