The best family cycle routes in Cheshire and Wirral

There are lots of great family cycle routes in Cheshire and Wirral, which incorporate everything from Romans to the Industrial Revolution and the coast to rolling hills.

To help you get out cycling with your kids, we’ve listed a few of the most popular family cycle routes in Cheshire and Wirral below, most of which are traffic free. If you have another favourite family bike ride you’d like us to share, please email us details at [email protected]

Family cycle routes in Cheshire and Wirral

Cycling with kids in Chester

Chester was a Cycling Demonstration Town in 2011, and as a result has a number of clearly waymarked colour coded routes in and around the city centre which can be downloaded from the I-travel-smart website. (Note that not all are 100% traffic free)

Chester Cycling Campaign’s seven Family Cycle Rides have been planned with all members of the family in mind. The routes use quiet lanes, established cycle routes and canal tow paths wherever possible, except for some occasional short sections on busier roads. All rides are between 15 and 20 miles in length, and are suitable for families with children, either riding their own bikes or riding on a trailer bike. The directions for these bike rides also include a description of a minor road alternative.

They include routes by Chester Zoo, Doddleston, the River Dee, Manley, Capenhurst and Christleton

Chester to Connah’s Quay – following route 5 of the Sustran’s National Cycle Network this traffic free cycle route follows the disused railway from Chester into Wales, and can be linked up with a ride along the River Dee on the way back.

Family Cycling Routes in Cheshire:

Biddulph Valley Way – running between Congleton and Biddulph and then on into Staffordshire, this former railway line can be accessed from a number of points along the route.

Delamere Forest:  with cycle hire and a cafe, and two easy waymarked routes for all ages and abilities, Delamere is a great place for all the family to get on their bikes and enjoy a ride through the forest.

Knutsford – The Cycle Knutsford website has a list of some local bike rides, including a 6 mile family route from Styal Mill

Marbury and Andreton – Discover Cheshire’s “Biking the Backroads” route is a quite on road ride of 13 km through the Cheshire villages of Antrobus and Great Budworth

Middlewood Way – following the line of the former Macclesfield, Bollington and Marple Railway for 10 miles (16k) through picturesque Cheshire countryside and between historic mill towns. For much of its length, the Middlewood Way runs close to the Macclesfield Canal

Sandbach and Alsager Salt Ride – a flat circular route of 16.5 miles or 26.5k on roads and disused railways

Sandbach Wheelock Rail Trail and Salt Line – Both the Wheelock Rail Trail and the Salt Line are flat, well surfaced linear trails of 2km and 3km respectively – great distances for little legs to manage a there-and-back journey

Weaver Parkway and the Whitegate Way – Stretching for six miles (10km) from the heart of Winsford to Cuddington, the Whitegate Way offers easy cycling along a varied route, with picnic and toilet facilities. This can be joined up by a small amount of on-road cycling with the Weaver Parkway for a further 4km (or you can do shorter sections if your kids are younger.

Family friendly cycling on The Wirral

The Wirral is fabulous for family cycling as it is so flat and has great traffic free paths.   The Wirral Way follows the former railway track for 12 miles (19k), so this route is ideal for kids, although you do need to remember to have enough energy for the return journey.

There are various cycle routes along the Wirral Way available for starting your ride at  Thurstaston, New Brighton and Wallasey, and Eastham Country Park – all of which are downloadable from the Visit Wirral website. You can also start the Wirral Way at Hooton Station if you’re arriving by train.

Want to know more about cycling with your kids?

If you’d like more advice on cycling with your kids, inspiration for family friendly cycle routes, or reviews of the best kids bikes and children’s cycling accessories don’t forget to sign up for the Cycle Sprog newsletter.

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This guide to  family cycle routes in Cheshire and Wirral was first published in April 2013, and updated in June 2016 to reflect changes to routes