5 min readCycling and Bristol go together like Wallace and Gromit. Named as England’s first cycling city back in 2008, Bristol has flourished as a bike-friendly haven and is home to excellent cycle routes and experiences suitable for every type of rider, from regular pedal-heads and fearless mountain bikers, to occasional leisure riders.
Yes it can be hilly, but for every gruelling climb there’s a heavenly freewheeling descent, and you can avoid the hills entirely by taking a gentle ride around the Harbourside or riding the flat Bristol and Bath Railway Path. Here are some of the cycling highlights in and around the city.
The Festival Way
The Festival Way is a 9-mile route that will take you from Bristol Harbourside to Millennium Park in Nailsea, via the beautiful Ashton Court Estate. It’s a great traffic-free route for families attending events at Ashton Court such as Bristol International Balloon Fiesta and more.
Photo credit: Chris Bahn, Bristol City Council
The Chocolate Path
A great extension (or diversion) along the Festival Way is The Chocolate Path. Starting from the M Shed located by the heart of Bristol’s waterside the route takes you along the harbour and train tracks to join the chocolate path! Locally known as the chocolate path because of the resemblance of the paving blocks to chocolate bars. Follow the River, then cross over an old railway bridge to join the Festival Way.
Image - The Chocolate Path credit Bristol City Council
Bristol and Bath Railway Path
The Bristol and Bath Railway was the first ever route to be created on the National Cycle Network.
It’s still one of the Network’s most popular routes and is an easy 16-mile ride between Bristol Harbourside and the World Heritage City of Bath – perfect for people wanting to take in two fabulous West Country cities in one leisurely bike ride.
Image - Bristol and Bath Railway Path in Mangotsfield
The Strawberry Line
The Strawberry Line is a favourite local ride. Take a train from Bristol to Yatton and then tackle this 11-mile countryside route that passes through Thatcher's Cider orchard on the way and ends at the magnificent Cheddar Gorge and Caves. The route takes its name from the delicious Cheddar strawberries that used to be transported along here when it was a working railway line.
You can plot these and other routes on the online map of Bristol-based charity Sustrans, creators of the National Cycle Network.
Image - The Strawberry Line cycle route. Credit: Sustrans
Pier to Pier Cycle Route
This 13-mile cycle route links the coastal towns of Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon, taking in pretty countryside and fantastic views on quiet roads and dedicated cycle paths.
Image - Pier to Pier Cycle Route
Mountain bike trails
If you prefer a gnarly mountain bike trail to a smoothly surfaced route then head for Ashton Court and Leigh Woods – they are hugely popular with the MTB crowd and are only minutes away from the city centre.
You can hire mountain bikes or join a coaching session with Pedal Progression in Ashton Court.
The Courtyard Cafe at the bottom of Ashton Court, or the cafe at the top by Pedal Progression are both perfect for a bite to eat or a coffee break!
Image - Mountain bike trails in Ashton Court
Cycle hire and tours
If you arrive in Bristol without your own bicycle it’s no problem, you can hire one at Cycle the City, an independent bike hire service on the waterfront. Join one of their public tours, running daily. Or treat yourself to a treat on one of their bespoke private voyages.
Image - Cycle the City
Or hire a bicycle made for two at Bristol Tandem Hire.
Yuup also has bookable cycling experiences from cycling the Bristol to Bath Railway Path to cycling days out along the Strawberry Line. You can also hire an e-scooter or e-bike across Bristol and the surrounding area. Use the Dott app to find your nearest available e-scooter or e-bike, hop-on and ride on. Then you can hop-off and safely park at an approved location.
Image - The Strawberry Line bike path, credit Yuup
Cycle-friendly hangouts
After a day’s cycling, there’s nothing like sitting down to a hearty hot meal, and where better to fuel up than surrounded by fellow cyclists at one of Bristol’s cycle cafés?
Mud Dock cycleworks and café combines sales of bikes and accessories with repairs and servicing, maintenance workshops and managed, covered bike parking for 50 bikes. The café bar above the shop serves excellent food in a stylish, renovated warehouse on the dockside and has a rooftop terrace for outdoor, summer dining with great views over the water. It has been open since 1994 and is one of Bristol’s classic cycle outlets.
Image - Mud Dock Cycleworks
Perfectly nestled at the foot of the Mendip Hills and on the ‘Strawberry Line’ National Cycle Network, The Railway Inn restaurant with traditional country pub lounge and large, family-friendly outdoor space makes it a must-visit for locals, first-timers, dog-walkers, foodies and especially cider lovers!
Image - The Railway Inn
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