Author: Jeff

You’ve got your bike and the drive to start a journey, but you may be wondering ‘where are the 5 best cycling routes in Liverpool?’ Cycling tracks and corridors in Liverpool can offer an exciting selection of routes ranging from easy to demanding. With a cross-section of skill levels for all bike lovers, all you need is to know where to find them.

In this article, we explore five of the best cycle routes and paths in Liverpool to help you get the most out of your journeys.  Whether it’s just yourself or the whole family, Warrington Cycle Campaign helps you understand in advance what you can expect from bike routes in Liverpool.

We also look at the best places to get yourself ready for your ride. What sort of bike is the best for your skill and fitness level? Should you try a mountain bike or an electric? Can a cycling route app really help? What can you really expect from cycling routes near me? Let’s find out!

Contents

1. Liverpool Loop Line (Easy)
2. Liverpool-Leeds Canal And Pier Head Loop (Intermediate)
3. Southport Beach And Liverpool Loop Line Combined (Intermediate)
4. Pier Head  to Crosby Beach Loop (Difficult)
5. Pier Head To Thornton Hough Loop (Difficult)
6. Cycling Shops In Liverpool
7. How To Find Cycling Routes Near Me
8. Discover More Cycling Routes In Liverpool

Liverpool Loop Line (Easy)

An ideal cycle route for the family, the Liverpool Loop line offers an entirely flat and most traffic-free stretch of uninterrupted path that forms part of the award-winning Trans Pennine Trail.

With easy access to several train stations such as Hunts Cross, Broad Green, Halewood, Rice Lane, and Walton, it’s perfect for those wanting a cycle route that can be easily accessed from anywhere in the city.

Essentially a stretch of woodland, this route gives the sensation of being on a country ride despite the fact that it doesn’t take you far from the city. You can coast happily along whilst enjoying the abundance of nature or the spectacle of the rocky tunnels you’ll occasionally pass through. You’ll see some really impressive city views up there, too.

At 10.8 miles (17.4km) the route takes approximately an hour, making it the perfect afternoon activity for young cyclists without being demanding. Great fun for all the family.

Liverpool-Leeds Canal And Pier Head Loop (Intermediate)

This cycle route along the Liverpool – Leeds canal requires a good degree of fitness but is suitable for all skill levels.

The starting point is accessible with public transport; the nearest train station to the beginning of the route is Aigburth Station, L17 6AQ. The route does include a three-quarter-mile stretch where you must dismount and bikes must be carried. There’s also a moveable bridge, so check ahead for seasonal opening times to avoid disruption to your ride.

At 27.5 miles, this cycle route takes just under 3 hours, but it’s worth every minute. Culminating with the stunning grandeur of Liverpool’s pier head architecture, you’re guaranteed a truly memorable ride.

Southport Beach And Liverpool Loop Line Combined (Intermediate)

Where else can you experience beaches, an abundance of wildlife, contemporary art and breathe the fresh Irish sea air all in one journey? This 35-mile renowned cycling route in Liverpool offers all this and more to riders of intermediate fitness and skill levels. Suited best to mountain bikes or hybrids, the majority of the road surface is loose gravel.

Starting out at Bootle Leisure Centre, L20 5JJ, you’ll pass the solemn Gormley statues staring out to sea. Head on through the Ainsdale sand dunes with its National Nature Reserve and savour the feeling of remote calmness. It’s alive with wildlife, so prepare to be distracted.

Continuing on this cycle route from Liverpool to Southport, you’ll eventually arrive in the seaside town itself, which offers plenty of options for refreshment. Also, there’s an art gallery, and a fantastic antique market if you’re up to cycling back with a Chippendale chair!

Pier Head to Crosby Beach Loop 

Undoubtedly an expert Liverpool cycle route, this nearly 5.5-hour long ride takes in some serious mileage – almost 55.9 to be exact. There’s a moveable bridge to factor in again and half a mile where you need to dismount and push, but there’s a good chance you’ll be glad of the rest.

Sefton Park, The Liver Buildings, and Crosby beach all await and you might even see the odd red squirrel cheering you along the Altcar training camp path. Undoubtedly long and demanding, this Liverpool cycle route clings assuredly to the coastline meaning that on the right day, a sparkling expanse of sea is always visible.

The ride is very flat, so there’s plenty of opportunities to simply coast by and enjoy the view. This is cycle route is a commitment you’ll be happy you made but if it’s too much, pick up public transport to get home. The route can be easily accessed from West Allerton train station, Booker Avenue, L18 4RD.

Pier Head To Thornton Hough Loop (Difficult)

This is another route that is definitely suitable for the more experienced and expert cyclist.

Predominantly on paved surfaces with a starting point accessible by public transport again, the full tour takes 5 hours and traverses just over 52 miles.

This Liverpool cycle route includes a trip on the Ferry. So, you can get to enjoy the splendid waterfront skyline from arguably its best angle. There are also some segments where you may need to carry your bike. But with highlights such as Raby Mere and the Boathouse Pub to enjoy along the way, the time will fly by.

Also, Thornton Hough is a charming neo-Tudor hamlet that serves as a great place to prop the bike for a bit before setting off again to complete this tour of the Wirral.

Cycling Shops In Liverpool

Being ready for Liverpool cycling routes is a vital component for getting the most out of your ride. Before you set out, it’s essential that you and your bike are prepared for the road ahead. This is more than just lights, helmet and tyre pressure; you may need help ensuring everything is tip-top.

To ensure that you’ve got the right bicycle accessories for the cycling routes planned, there are plenty of retailers who are experts in this field and can really help. Whether it’s the pros and cons of a gravel bike versus a hybrid or what cycle helmet is the safest for your children, the outlets listed below really know their stuff when it comes to being ready for all the Liverpool cycle routes can throw at you.

Bike Shops

• Giant Store – 29 Parliament St, Liverpool L8 5RN (10am – 6pm, closed Sun and Mon, Sat – 9am – 5pm)
• Quinn Cycles – 379, 385 Edge Ln, Fairfield, Liverpool L7 9LQ (9 am – 5.30 pm closed Sun and Wed)
• Picton Cycles – 11-13 High St, Wavertree, Liverpool L15 8HE (9.30 am – 5.30 pm closed Sun and Mon)
• Hobson Cycles – 62 Walton Vale, Walton, Liverpool L9 2BU (11 am – 5 pm closed Sun and Wed)
• Bikeology – 319 Smithdown Rd, Liverpool L15 0EB (Tues – Sat 10am – 5pm)
• Pure Electric Liverpool – 17-19 Bold St, Liverpool L1 4DN (9am – 6pm Mon-Sat, 10am – 5pm Sun)
• Bernard Bicycles Ltd –  260 Smithdown Rd, Liverpool L15 5AH (ring on the day)
• Ten Street Cycles – Unit 1, Make North Docks, 34 Regent St, Liverpool L3 7BN (10 am – 5 pm Mon – Fri)
• Coast Cycles – 338 St Mary’s Rd, Liverpool L19 0NQ (10 am – 5.30 pm, closed Wed and Sun)
• Bike King – 277 E Prescot Rd., Liverpool L14 2DB (9 am – 2 pm, closes at 12 noon on Sundays and all day Mon)
• B-Spoke Cycles – A Space, 9 Dunnings Bridge Rd, Liverpool, Bootle L30 6UU (8 am – 6 pm, all week, 10 am – 4 pm Sun)

You can run both your bike and your accessories through a quick check-up before setting off.  Are those cycling shorts really fit for purpose? Will the bike chain or bike pedal hold up on a steady incline? Find out in advance to prevent your ride from being disrupted.

How To Find Cycling Routes Near Me

Finding Liverpool cycling routes near you is easy with the right know-how. At Warrington Cycle Campaign we simplify the process by showing you the best short-cuts to excellent cycling advice.

When searching for the best cycling routes in Liverpool, a good cycling app can be the perfect place to start. Also, with a thriving online community of cyclists who regularly update news and views about Liverpool cycle routes, you can be sure to access the most up-to-date information about the journey you plan to take that day.

Google searches can also offer a wealth of information and cycling social media groups are always happy to welcome new members. The reviews are honest, impartial and don’t sugar-coat the truth. If a Liverpool cycle route is too gruelling – they tell you so. Likewise, areas that may not be suitable or are just a bit dull also get a frank appraisal. Check out Cycling in Merseyside to start.

Discover More Cycling Routes In Liverpool

Cycling routes in Liverpool offer the adventurous riders everything they could want from their journey – an abundance of nature, scenic grandeur and surprising vistas along the way. In addition to this, they also offer a welcoming fraternity of other enthusiastic and committed cyclists at all levels of skill and experience.

Liverpool cycle routes weave across the Wirral, Cheshire, and North Wales in abundance. So why not get your bike ready, join a group and experience some of the most stunning countryside in Britain? After tackling the routes above, perhaps you feel inspired to try some others. Other cycling routes in Liverpool include:

• Loopline Bridge – Liverpool Loop from Orrell Park
• Halebank Park Loop from St Michaels
• Southport Beach – Loopline Bridge Loop from Broad Green
• Sefton boating lake – Sefton Park Loop from St Michaels
• West Bank Bridge View – Delamere Forest Loop from West Allerton
• Spike Island – West Bank Bridge View Loop from West Allerton
• Widnes– The Dream Loop from Liverpool South Parkway
• Liverpool – Childwall Abbey Loop from Broad Green

Merseyrail provides a really helpful map that you can pick up at stations. You can also get more safety tips for the best cycling experience from the government website Think! You can also access more information about cycling routes in Liverpool from the Local Authority website. Enjoy the ride!

Discovering the 5 best cycling routes in Warrington can be challenging yet fun. Cycling is a healthy and environmentally positive activity for the whole family.

As a result, cycling routes are flourishing all across the country, with plans for a £2 billion government package to increase the number of routes that cyclists can enjoy.

You may be a seasoned cyclist who knows the main routes in Warrington and Cheshire and recognise the cycling route map in this area well.  Or perhaps you’re an enthusiastic novice looking for an exciting start?

Our selection of featured cycle routes in Warrington can offer both.

Why Cycle In Warrington?

Leisure cycling has never been so popular and during 2018/19, statistics showed that nearly 1 million people in the UK used their bikes at least five times a week. An impressive 2.7 million ride at least once a week.

With that level of interest, it can be easy to run out of new cycling routes to explore that are accessible from Warrington.

So with this in mind, below we look at some less well-known traffic-free cycle paths and cycle routes in Warrington that may be new to you and your family or cycling friends.

If you accept the challenge to try one, why not leave a review for other cyclists to get the most out of their experience too? Safety gear on? Let’s get cycling in Warrington!

The Lymm Old Railway Line

The Lymm Old Railway line closed to passengers in 1962. Now the track serves as an excellent path for intermediate cyclists with a good level of fitness.

The route starts at Warrington Central train station on Winwick Street, WA2 7TT.  The whole family can enjoy a day of riding, picnicking and exploring this beautiful cycle track.

The delightfully picturesque Lymm village is close by, offering a perfect place to stop, rest and enjoy some refreshments. This part of the Cheshire countryside is stunning all year round.

It’s important to note that there are 4 moveable bridges on this route. For this reason, we’d recommend checking the opening times before you set off.

Carr Mill Dam

Just north of St Helen’s town centre, Carr Mill Dam is the county’s largest body of inland water and is a venue for national competitive powerboating and angling events.

This route is steady and flat, meaning that it’s great for riders of all fitness levels. What’s more, because of the fact that the route is mostly paved, it’s just as appropriate for beginners as for more seasoned riders.

The route begins at Barmouth Close bus station at Callands, Warrington WA5 9RU.  You’ll be able to enjoy some of the wonderful views near Sankey Brook.

Before returning to the Barmouth Close bus station, you’ll be greeted by the Grade I listed Nine Arches Viaduct. This sandstone and red brick structure is thought to be the earliest major railway viaduct in the world.

Dakota Park Loop

A relaxing ‘easy’ ride from Sankey to Penketh, the Dakota Park Loop is a visual treat. The mostly paved surfaces mean that it’s a smooth experience and great for any fitness or skill level.

At approximately 14 miles in length, the ride takes about 1.5 hours. This affords the opportunity to soak up the dazzling natural scenery that rolls past at every point in this loop. Autumn on this route is breathtaking.

You’ll start and end your route at Sankey for Penketh train station, Great Sankey, Warrington WA5 1RQ. The route will take you through Mary Ann Meadows.

The Dakota Park loop does include a couple of brief interruptions when your bike will need to be carried. This does not detract from the serenity and visual highlights along the way such as the Nine Arches Viaduct, a Grade 1 listed and iconic landmark in this area.

Tatton Park – Dunham Massey Park Loop

Beginning at Warrington Bank Quay train station, this loop takes you through the magnificent view of Tatton Park stately home and the glittering expanses of water that dot this area.

You’ll travel through the charming village of Lymm, where there are several pubs and places for refreshment. There are some movable bridges; for this reason, we recommend that you check the opening times before you begin this route. 

This cycle route is 250ft at its highest and only a mere 25ft at the lowest points. Watch out for mixed road surfaces but on the whole a pleasant and untaxing route.

How To Find Cycling Routes Near Me

Thanks to the internet, finding new and interesting cycle routes has never been easier. A simple Google search for ‘cycle routes near me’ can generate a wealth of helpful results and reviews to inspire you. As well as this, you can download cycle route apps to your phone or tablet to make your cycle tour of Warrington the best yet.

There are designated cycling websites that you can join and receive updates from. Sites like Komoot.com and Letsride.co.uk offer easy to follow Warrington cycle routes maps plus real-time alerts about weather issues, traffic or other potential issues its useful to know in advance.

Another great way to get the most out of your cycling is to join groups. The sense of community in cycling circles is really life-affirming and groups such as the Warrington Cycling Club are always happy to welcome new members.

Solitary cycling can be deeply relaxing and unarguably provides precious ‘me time’. But occasionally, it’s nice to meet new people with a shared interest. So why not consider joining a cycling club in Warrington and enjoy the camaraderie of getting there and back as a group? Clubs like the Warrington CTC Cycle club mean that you can enjoy sociable cycling on quiet roads.

Discover More Cycling Routes In Warrington

Cheshire is a beautiful county. Cycle routes in Warrington can offer some of the most uplifting scenery in the UK. Seeing it by bike means that you can experience the elements in a truly memorable and invigorating way with excellent health benefits and minimum environmental impact.

Whether you’re halfway along the Carr Mill Dam loop or admiring the emerald vistas across Latchford locks, the cycle routes in Warrington won’t disappoint. With the right bike and a tried and tested route that enjoys great reviews from other cyclists, you can enjoy hours of two-wheeled relaxation.

Get in touch to find out the best routes for cycling in Warrington. Our advice resource can offer suggestions and insights that can really enhance your cycling experience. With helpful links to associated groups and agencies and legal guidance from the Highway Code, at Warrington Cycle Campaign, we aim to keep cycling fun and enjoyable for everyone.