When you think of the best road cycling routes, your mind probably wanders to epic Alpine passes or the smooth tarmac of the Canary Islands.
Bring your mind closer to home and you’ll find equally stunning routes here in the UK. Take a look at these road bike routes and plan your next UK-based cycling adventure.
Scotland
Shetland Islands
With over 1000 miles of quiet roads, the Shetland Islands are a haven for cycling . For those looking to plan a cycling holiday, the UK’s northern-most point is definitely worth the journey.
Perfect for riders of all abilities, you’ll get to explore rugged landscapes shaped by the North Sea, a rich history or simply challenge yourself on the undulating roads. The Shetlands is also home to the northern-most part of the National Cycling Network which is only 400 miles south of the Artic circle.
Picking one route is difficult so we’d suggest checking out Visit Shetland who have route suggestions for riders of all abilities, but some of our favourites for long distance cycling are listed below.
Lerwick – Brae
- Length: 33.9 miles
- Route Type: Linear
- Difficulty: Hard
A rewarding but demanding ride from Lerwick to Brae, this route mixes steady climbs, fast descents, and stunning coastal views. You’ll tackle some busier sections on the A970 alongside quieter, more scenic roads, with highlights including wide-open moorland and sweeping sea views. This is a great choice for confident road cyclists looking for a challenge with plenty of scenery along the way.
Baltasound – Muness Castle
- Length: 15.5 miles
- Route Type: Circular
- Difficulty: Hard
A scenic and relaxed detour around Unst, this route takes in quiet single-track roads, coastal views, and unique historical landmarks. Highlights include the impressive Bordastubble Standing Stone, the harbour village of Uyeasound, and the remote ruins of Muness Castle. This route a great optional loop for road cyclists looking to add a bit of distance while enjoying peaceful roads and coastal scenery.
North Coast 500
The North Coast 500 is one of the UK’s most iconic long-distance rides, looping through the Scottish Highlands from Inverness along dramatic coastal roads and back again. At around 500 miles, it can be tackled as a full multi-day challenge or broken into shorter sections to suit different abilities.
The entire route offers outstanding scenery, but standout highlights include the legendary Bealach na Bà climb—an alpine-style ascent averaging 7% over 9km that’s a must for experienced riders.
The North Cost 500 runs through the following popular areas in Scotland:
- Inverness
- Applecross
- Durness
- John o’ Groats
- Wick
Wales
Ffordd Brailsford Way – Snowdonia
Home to the hardest cycling sportive in the UK (the infamous Dragon Ride), it’s no surprise that Wales is full of bucket-list routes. At the top of our list is Snowdonia.
Wales’ largest National Park is a popular choice for cyclists thanks to its challenging terrain. However, it also has 200 miles of coastline and 35 beaches, making it a great option for those wanting an easier, steady road ride too.
If you need route inspiration, check out the Ffordd Brailsford Way. Created in tribute to the local cycling legend David Brailsford, there are two routes to choose from depending on how far you’re willing to go:
- Ffordd Brailsford Way – 50 miles
- Fford Brailsford Way – 75 miles
Celtic Trail
The Celtic Trail is a National Cycling Route that takes in the most beautiful countryside south Wales has to offer. Starting at the Severn Bridge on the English border, it winds itself through to the Pembrokeshire coast.
National Cycle Network routes don’t stick to roads, so it’s best to use the route as inspiration and plan a fully road-based route around it. But it’s definitely worth the effort and you’ll be rewarded with unforgettable riding. Below we’ve listed our favourite on-road parts of this route built for road cyclists.
Three Parks Trail
- Length: 13 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Route Type: Linear
Part of the Celtic Trail, the ‘Three Parks Trail’is a scenic ride through the Welsh valleys, perfect for mixed ability road cycling. This route links Sirhowy Valley Country Park, Parc Penallta, and Parc Taff Bargoed, offering traffic-free paths with quiet roads, passing landmarks like the Hengoed Viaduct and the striking ‘Wheel of Drams’ sculpture, with great valley views along the way too.
A great option for a relaxed ride with plenty of points of interest, or a longer day out if you continue on to the Taff Trail.
Swiss Valley
- Length: 11 miles
- Difficulty: Easy-Medium
- Route Type: Linear
A scenic section of the Celtic Trail, this ride starts at Sandy Water Park and follows a mix of traffic-free paved paths and quiet roads through valleys, and former industrial landscapes. Key highlights include views around Parc Howard, climbing sections near Tumble with wide valley views, and passing through Mynydd Mawr Woodland Park before finishing at Cross Hands.
For those wanting to extend the ride, there’s an optional continuation to the National Botanic Garden of Wales, adding a rewarding final stretch through quieter countryside roads.
England
North York Moors – Yorkshire
Go back ten years and Yorkshire wasn’t regularly associated with cycling. That all changed when the world’s largest cycling race visited in 2014. Now, it’s recognised as one of the best places to ride, not just in the UK, but anywhere in Europe.
Riding through the North York Moors sometimes has an out-of-this-world feeling with the colours constantly changing and the landscape dipping up and down. This is what makes it the perfect cycling location, with undulating roads that present a challenge and stunning views for those who prefer a leisurely ride. Just as importantly, every ride needs a café stop and Yorkshire is famous for its tea rooms.
Below, we’ve listed some of our favourite road cycling routes in the Yorkshire Moors below.
Helmsley – Osmotherley
- Length: 35.6 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Route Type: Linear
A scenic and challenging ride in the North York Moors National Park, this route starts in Helmsley and passes historic landmarks including Nunnington Hall, Ampleforth Abbey, and Byland Abbey.
The main highlight is the tough climb up to Sutton Bank, known for one of the most famous views in England. From there, the route continues across open moorland and deep valleys before finishing near Osmotherley on the edge of the Cleveland Hills.
Pickering to Scarborough
- Length: 22.6 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Route Type: Linear
A scenic ride in the North York National Park, this route starts in Pickering and follows quiet paths to Thornton-le-Dale before entering Dalby Forest, known locally as ‘The Great Yorkshire Forest’. From there, it rolls through peaceful valleys with a gradual descent toward the coast, finishing at Scarborough with its dramatic cliffs and classic seaside views.
Lake District
We couldn’t complete this list without the Lake District. A paradise for road cyclists, there are tough climbs, flowing descents and fast valley roads.
It’s also home to a number of sportives which is a great opportunity to test yourself. If you don’t fancy taking part in an event, use their routes for inspiration as they’ll be a good test of your endurance.
As it’s a popular destination, the roads can get busy in peak seasons. However, with good route planning, you can avoid the busier roads for the majority of your ride.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland may be smaller than its counterparts, but it doesn’t lack epic cycling routes.
Causeway Coast Route
- Length: 22.9 miles
- Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
- Route Type: Circular
There are few better places to visit on a ride than the Giant’s Causeway. It’s one of the UK’s most famous destinations, so we think it’s worth planning a ride around.
Located on the north coast, there are lots of picturesque towns and villages along the coastline and you can plan a route linking them all together. There’s also a National Cycling Route you can follow. Expect stunning views out to sea and an undulating ride along rugged coastline.
Professional FREE 25-Point Bike Check
Before heading out on your next road bike adventure, book a FREE 25-Point Bike Safety Check at your local Halfords store today. Our experts will inspect all key components including the frame, wheels and braking system to ensure your bike is safe and ready to ride.
Before heading out and experiencing these epic rides, make sure you have all the accessories and clothing you need over at Halfords.com.
