Family friendly cycle trails

[CMOTDibbler]

Can anyone recommend any decent length 'not on road' cycle routes? Ds(7) can ride well and far, but my nerves can't deal with a leisure ride on the roads.

We've done Stratford Greenway, and the Stroud Valleys trail, both of which are 10 miles round trips, but they are a bit shorter than we'd like to do.

Herefordshire/ N Gloucestershire/ Worcs/ West Warwickshire / W Midlands in particular, but with the bank holidays in mind, hearing of anywhere would be great.

Hi Cmot!

Cannop Wood in The Forest of Dean - it's about 10 miles - all off road.

We struggle for this sort of thing round these parts, as it's the sort of thing we like to do too.

There's also kingsbury water park

There isn't a route as such, but you can cycle round the whole thing.

If the forest of dean is too short - take a picnic or BBQ and go round again after lunch

What about the Tarka trail in Devon - go in half term and take a few days to go coast to coast - Its all level and is on a disused railway. See here

There are some great ones in the Peak District - Monsal, Tissington, high peak and manifold valley trails.

what are your local canal tow paths like? a luath on cross tryes will cope with pretty much anything short of rock gardens and drop offs.
we are coming up your way at easter so will be interested in this thread too.

Devon has good options for touring or holiday day rides. ditto Cornwall.

Thanks all!

Furball, we've previously done Cannop wood (in fact I did it on a tricycle which is an event I'd rather forget). I think ds woud be resistant to going round again, but maybe we could find a way of connecting it to the sculpture trail with a diversion. Will try Kingsbury as that looks nice.

Tarka trail looks perfect, so we will work out a short holiday round that!

Will check out the peak district ones.

UniS, dh has walked some of the canal paths locally, and reports that they are narrow and busy, so might be a bit heart stopping... The Stroud trail was nice, and we think you can extend it on 'next to road bike path' for a few more miles so will explore. The patisserie in Nailsworth is a good stop at the end!

We have a book which mentions The Kingswinford Railway Trail, starting at Wombourne. It's a railway line so not a circular loop - 10 miles there, 20 mile round trip - but, of course, flat!

The book also mentions canals in Birmingham. Apparently there is a section where "cycling is encouraged". It starts at Gas Street Basin and follows the Bham & Black Country Canal to Wolverhampton. You will have the same non-circular problem. 14 miles there, 28 miles return.

Peak District trails are great. We preferred Manifold Valley trail with our DSs though there are sections of very quiet road. Tissington and High Peak are both off road all the way. Monsal has great views but is a little further north.

If you are ever in the north west the Preston guild wheel is great for families. 90% off road and the. It's that are on road are quiet back roads. Start to finish its a 21 mile round trip with some hilly sections which are easiest if you go clockwise so that the steepest bit is downhill.

I have done it a few times with ds1 (8) and once with ds2 (6) so is definitely doable for a family used to cycling.

"the bits"

Thanks for all the suggestions - will check them all out! Don't mind there and back routes at all

Cannock Chase has a range of cycling trails for all abilities link