If you want the enjoyment, freedom, and excitement that pedal power can bring, then Norfolk really is the place for you! It’s not just the miles and miles of quiet coastal tracks, the relatively flat countryside, and peaceful country lanes that make this county a great place for two-wheel adventures; it’s also the sheer variety of wonderful routes to choose from and the enthusiasm for the sport that Norfolk has in spades! Whether you are looking for a relaxed cycle or a more challenging route, with around 2,400 miles of designated cycle routes, Norfolk offers a wonderfully wide range of choices for all the family.
And did you know that Norfolk even has its own version of the famous cycle race, the ‘Tour De France’? The ‘Tour De Broads’ has been running for the last 12 years, and this 100-mile route has now become one of the most popular cycling events in the country. It’s safe to say that bikes are very welcome in this beautiful corner of the UK.
For those of us looking for a delightful, but less competitive, day out, here are our top choices for the best cycling routes in Norfolk. We’ve covered a wide range of distances, difficulties, and terrains, so there is something for everyone, with each trail boasting plenty of breathtaking views, quiet pit stops, and points of interest to discover along the way.
Peddars Way
Best for: Flat routes
• Distance: 49 miles (79km)
• Difficulty/terrain: Moderate to intermediate with nice flat paths
• Starts/ends: Knettishall Heath Country Park/Holme-next-the-Sea
• Parking: Small car park at Knettishall Heath
• Landmarks: Thetford Forest, Bronze Age burial mounds, Holkham Hall
• Bike Hire: Open Cycles Hunstanton or AE Wallis Cycle Hire
The name for this fascinating route might come from the Latin ‘pedester’, meaning ‘on foot’, but the Peddars Way is also perfect for two wheels (all in favour of calling it Pedallers Way say, Aye). Starting inland in the forests, heaths, and valleys of an area known as the Brecks, it runs north from Knettishall Heath in Suffolk to the seaside town of Holme-next-the-Sea on the Norfolk coast.
What makes the Peddars Way unique is that it follows the route of an old Roman Road that archaeologists believe may actually have been built on an even older, possibly prehistoric track. So this trail is a true journey back in time.
Holme-next-the-Sea, your start or end point, depending on which way you decide to tackle this cycle, is a pretty little village that just so happens to boast one of the area’s finest and lesser-known beaches. The Peddars Way also passes through nature reserves renowned for their migratory birds and the village of Ringstead, where you can get refreshments at The Gin Trap Inn, a 17th-century coaching inn.
Another essential stop is Castle Acre, where you can explore the stunning ruins of a 12th-century priory. This picturesque ruin includes towering, crumbling walls, amazing Norman architecture, the remains of the cloister and the monks’ living quarters.
The Ringstead and Bircham Routes
Best for: Circular cycling
• Distance: Ringstead Route – 17 miles (27km) | Bircham Route – 6.5 miles (10km)
• Difficulty/terrain: Easy to moderate
• Starts/ends: Ringstead village green/Bircham Windmill
• Parking: Limited village parking, but a designated car park at the windmill
• Landmarks: Bircham Windmill, quaint village pubs, brilliant heritage attractions
• Bike Hire: Bircham Windmill Cycle Hire
These two circular routes take in some of west Norfolk’s most beautiful countryside, from glorious coastal views to peaceful chalk valleys. The shorter Bircham Route is great for families and can easily include an interesting visit to the mill where the journey begins.
The longer Ringstead route takes you through quaint village after quaint village, each with its own pub and its own personality. Old Hunstanton is famed for its striped cliffs, historic lighthouse, and the ruins of St Edmund’s Chapel, which was built in 1272, while Fring is a picture-perfect inland village with an ancient church that appeared in the Doomsday Book.
But the real must-see stop along the way has to be at Sedgeford. The Sedgeford Historical and Archaeological Research Project (also known as SHARP) is open to the public during the summer months and gives you the incredible opportunity to visit a working archaeological dig. Although only a small village, Sedgeford has an incredibly rich heritage spanning over four thousand years, and that is what this excavation plans to reveal. It makes for a brilliant place to take a break.
It’s also worth noting that for those with plenty of time and looking for a bit more of a challenge, these two routes can also be combined.
King’s Lynn to The Wash
Best for: Wildlife watching
• Distance: 12.5 miles (20km)
• Difficulty/terrain: Easy
• Starts/ends: King’s Lynn railway station/The Wash
• Parking: Plenty of car parks around King’s Lynn
• Landmarks: Nature reserves, Sandringham Estate, Ling Common
Taking you from the bustling town of King’s Lynn to expansive nature reserves, this picturesque route boasts a merry mix of traffic-free paths and quiet roads, making it great for all riders.
You’ll pass through dappled woodlands in Ling Common and sprawling marshes around Snettisham RSPB, making it a truly wonderful stretch for some wildlife watching. We recommend packing your binoculars and perching in the fab hides at Snettisham to make the most of the abundant flora and fauna - not to mention the 360-degree views of The Wash. Time your visit just right, and you might just catch the whirling wader spectacle, a mesmerising phenomenon that sees thousands of wading birds making themselves at home on the islands around the hides.
Along the way, why not stop at Castle Rising? This impressive 12th-century castle boasts a rich history, which comes to life throughout the year with entertaining reenactments and displays of daring. It’s not every bike ride you get to see a sword fight! Another great stop off is the famous Royal Estate of Sandringham, which is home to beautiful gardens, a fascinating museum, and lovely café.
There are lots of excellent cycling routes in this beautiful corner of Norfolk, known fondly as the Broads by Bike trails, tempting you back again and again to explore The Broads.
Norfolk Coast Cycleway
Best for: Spectacular sea views
• Distance: 59 miles (94km)
• Difficulty/terrain:
• Starts/ends: King’s Lynn railway station/Great Yarmouth railway station
• Parking: Parking at both railway stations
• Landmarks: Cromer Pier, Hunstanton cliffs, Crabbe Castle, Holkham Hall
• Bike Hire: Open Cycles Hunstanton or electric bike hire at Holkham Hall
A spectacular 59-mile route from King’s Lynn to Great Yarmouth via Cromer, the Norfolk Coast Cycleway invites you to soak up the coast as you go. Following the sweeping arch of the north Norfolk coast, this is one of the most popular routes with cyclists as it takes you along mostly quiet lanes and is perfect for discovering the area’s hidden gems - plus it begins and ends at railway stations, inviting you to save your legs in favour of a train ride back.
The route passes through Hunstanton, a picturesque seaside town with views of The Wash, and the little harbour town of Wells-next-the-Sea, famed for its golden beach, before travelling to Sheringham and Cromer.
It is also possible to visit Holkham Hall, an 18th-century Palladian-style house, sitting within 25,000 acres of rolling parkland and conveniently just off the cycleway.
The trail might end in the well-known holiday destination of Great Yarmouth, but the journey itself takes you through so many off-the-beaten-track villages it feels like a real adventure.
The Three Rivers Loop
Best for: A little bit of history
• Distance: 20 miles (32km)
• Difficulty/terrain: Moderate but flat
• Starts/ends: Loddon Staithe
• Parking: The Staithe long-stay car park
• Landmarks: Church of St Gregory, Hardley Flood, Raveningham Hall
• Bike Hire: Broadland Cycle Hire
Starting and ending in Loddon Staithe, a popular mooring that boasts a rich past of trade along the narrow waters, this lovely circuit is perfect for those looking to swot up on local history while enjoying pretty dappled trails.
You’ll cycle through Chet Valley, which offers beautiful views across the River Chet, before emerging into the lagoon-strewn nature reserve at Hardley Flood, a favourite nesting ground for a range of wading birds in the spring and summer months. You will also pass the beautiful church of St Gregory, notable for its charming thatched roof.
Fancy a break? Climb aboard the Reedham Ferry for a short trip across the river to the historic village of Reedham. The ferry is one of the last remaining chain ferries in the UK, making it a truly fascinating voyage - however brief! Upon returning to the loop, turn your handlebars towards Raveningham Hall; a fabulous country estate with beautiful gardens you can explore in the spring and summer.
Rebellion Way
Best for: Traffic-free adventures
• Distance: 232 miles (373km)
• Difficulty/terrain: Challenging
• Starts/ends: Norwich
• Parking: Plenty of parking in Norwich
• Landmarks: Norwich Castle, Holkham Hall, Thetford Forest, Blickling Estate, Oxburgh Hall
• Bike Hire: Open Sky Cycles, Thornham | On Yer Bike Norfolk cycle hire - Wighton | Bike Art, Thetford Forest
This challenging route can be completed in shorter sections over several days and is a truly amazing way to discover all that Norfolk has to offer. Using a combination of mostly flat back roads, byways, cycle paths, bridleways and plenty of off-road sections, the Rebellion Way meanders its way around this incredible county, inviting you to sight-see with relative ease.
The name of this path takes inspiration from two infamous Norfolk rebels – the warrior queen Boudicca and Norfolk landowner Robert Kett. Discover the area’s rich history while also taking in the vast array of changing landscapes on this longer, circular journey. You will cycle past ancient ruins, through nature reserves and woodland, and beside steam railways. There are opportunities to visit great estates, medieval churches, and quaint villages.
A printed guide to the route is available so that you don’t miss any of the wonderful sites along the way, allowing you to plan each leg to suit your abilities and available time, ensuring you return again and again to discover more as you complete another section.
Bure Valley Path
Best for: Relaxed railway scenes
• Distance: 9 miles (14km)
• Difficulty/terrain: Easy, flat terrain
• Starts/ends: Aylsham/Wroxham
• Parking: Parking in Hoveton or Wroxham
• Landmarks: The Broads, Buxton Mill, Hautbois Hall,
• Bike Hire: Bure Valley Cycle Hire
The very manageable 9-mile Bure Valley Path follows a leisurely route beside a wonderful old narrow gauge railway and the River Bure, journeying from Aylsham to Wroxham. This flat, easy route passes Brampton, Buxton, and Coltishall, each with stations inviting you to rest your legs for a while and take a trip on the railway.
At Aylsham Station, the aptly named Whistlestop Café provides delicious refreshments, and, if you fancy a longer day out, this path also links up with the Marriott's Way and Weavers' Way, two disused train lines promising beautiful rural views.
If these amazing Norfolk cycle routes have inspired you to discover this diverse and beautiful area of the country, then why not make one of our gorgeous holiday cottages your home from home!
