Touring Caravanning

The best Lincolnshire cycle routes

Cycling is a perennially popular pastime with individuals and families alike, and the perfect exercise whatever your skills level. Here, we look at the best cycle routes in Lincolnshire.

Do not be fooled into thinking that Lincolnshire is a flat county, unable to offer any interest to the more adventurous cyclist! Offering a wonderfully diverse landscape for cyclists, Lincolnshire comprises the flat fenlands of Spalding and Boston, juxtaposed with the Lincolnshire Wolds, an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with cycling routes to suit everyone. From the traditional bucket and spade towns on the East coast to historic Lincoln, with its magnificent cathedral surrounded by quaint cobbled streets, Lincolnshire has a cycle route to suit you.

Bourne Wood (3 miles)

The market town of Bourne is about an hour’s drive from the East coast in Lincolnshire, but Bourne Wood has a short, family friendly cycling route which is both tranquil and picturesque.

Willingham Woods (3 miles)

Near Market Rasen, Willingham Woods features a three-mile route laid out with stone paths ideal for a family cycling visit.

Hubbard’s Hills to Red Hill (11.8 miles)

Starting from Hubbard’s Hills, an AONB, and taking in the Red Hill Nature Reserve, this route can be broken down into smaller legs. Starting with a steady climb up the eastern side of the Wolds, this route culminates in a downhill return with incredible views.

The Water Railway (15.5 miles)

Starting in Lincoln, this practically traffic-free and level route takes you through the landscape of the Lincolnshire Fens, with views across the River Witham. Following the former Lincoln to Boston railway line, the route of the Water Railway includes a sculpture trail with Tennyson inspired pieces and other sculptures based around local animal breeds.

Legbourne to Belleau and back (16.2 miles)

This route offers the more experienced cyclist a strenuous ride along the south eastern edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds. Covering a variety of terrain of mainly country roads, this route will take in Belleau, Burwell Park, Little Cawthorpe and Legbourne Mill.

Coastal path from Huttoft to Mablethorpe (26.5 miles)

At over 26 miles long, this cycle route is not for the novice or families with younger children. Starting from Mablethorpe, the route takes you past Theddlethorpe All Saints church, as well as the Gayton Engine Pumping Station. Encompassing the quieter lanes around Claythorpe Watermill and Wildfowl Gardens, the route will bring you back to Mablethorpe on the East coast.

C2C2C (100 miles)

Only for the dedicated, and definitely not for the faint of heart, the C2C2C or the Castle to Coast to Castle route starts from Lincoln’s iconic castle, following the coastal route to Chapel St. Leonards, and back again. Taking in the pretty villages of Bardney, Hemingby, Alford and Chapel St Leonards, alongside views across the Wolds, the route is fairly flat for most of the way with some hills.

Having picked out your route, you may be itching to set off and as long as you have your cycle, you may think that’s all you need. The more prudent cyclist knows, however, that it’s always better to do some forward planning. Fitting your bike with a saddle bag will give you somewhere to put cash or cards and a phone (essential if you are cycling on more remote routes) and make sure your cycle has lights, especially if you will be cycling after dark. Remember to carry a rainproof top or lightweight jacket and take plenty of water – fit your cycle with a cage and water bottle to save room elsewhere. If you plan to stop at a lovely countryside café for a hot drink and some cake, and providing your route isn’t going to keep you out for too long, you may not need to pack a lunch. But, even on short rides, particularly with children, energy levels may become low so pack some snacks that will recharge your energy batteries, such as a banana, chocolate or jelly sweets. And finally, the terrain in Lincolnshire is varied, so always take a puncture repair kit and consider carrying a spare inner tube to save time with repairing punctures.

Happy cycling!