Experience Chester on Your Bike this Autumn!

Chester is a great place to explore on two wheels especially if you are looking for new places for a gentle ride with the family or a more challenging long route. Take in the sights of historic Chester and further afield with this selection of wonderful cycle routes around the city and beyond. What’s more, there are tons of useful resources and even more routes via the Chester Cycling Campaign website!

City Centre

What better way is there to take in the historic city centre of Chester than on your bike? Providing a 2 ¾-mile circular loop around Chester City Centre, this mostly off-road route is perfect for taking in some of the city’s best sites. Passing by Grosvenor Park, the River Dee, the Roman Walls, Chester Racecourse and the Shropshire Union Canal there are plenty of places to stop and enjoy the scenery. Download the map here.

Zoo Circular

Experience the zoo on two wheels! The Chester Zoo Circular is a short, circular route of 13 kms (8 miles). It follows the canal towpath for the outward journey to Chester Zoo, and then follows NCN Route 56 and NCN Route 5 through Newton back to the starting point at Northgate Arena. This route is a great way to experience the zoo from a new perspective. Download the map here.

The Greenway

The Millenium Greenway runs along an old railway line from Mickle Trafford, located east of Chester, through the historic city of Chester to the Wharf at Connah's Quay. Most of this 7 ½-mile route follows this off-road route. The route passes Guilden Sutton, Newton, Hoole, Northgate Village, The University and Blacon. Download the map here.

Chester to Connah’s Quay

This 8-mile, traffic free railway path takes riders from Fairfield Road to Hawarden Bridge along the former Mickle Trafford freightline, and forms part of National Cycle Network Route 5. Via shady woodland and parkland, take this former railway line all the way into North Wales. Download the map here.

Canal Towpath

This is a truly historic ride. The 8-mile route connects the villages of Waverton and Christleton with Chester City Centre and the University. The route includes some of the area’s key industrial and heritage features including the Victoria Mill in Waverton, the Lead Shot Tower, the Roman Walls, King Charles’ Tower, and Watergate Tower. Download the map here.

The River Dee

Take in two key waterways – the Shropshire Union Canal and the River Dee - on this circular ride. Starting and ending in the northern end of the city, there’s also the chance for some refreshments before or after. This safe, completely traffic-free loop of 24 kms (15 miles) follows the National Cycle Network Route 5 to the west of the city as far as Hawarden Bridge, returning via the riverside cycle path along the River Dee. Download the map here.

If you want to enjoy these routes but you’re without a bike (or yours has seen better days!) you can hire bikes from Chester Cycle Hire

Or fancy taking a tour on two wheels? Chester Cycle Tours offer a great way to learn about and see the city on your bike!