Cycle Routes in Cheshire - Traffic Free Routes
Sandbach
- Wheelock Rail Trail (PDF,
670kb) - a 1.5 mile multi-user route from Ettiley Heath to Malkins
Bank. The whole route has been upgraded with improved access
points, better surfacing and new information boards to provide a
high quality facility for cyclists.
- Salt Line (PDF, 662kb) - a
multi-user track running through farmland and woodland. Both routes
are part of the National Cycle Route 5 linking Middlewich with
Alsager.
Alsager
- Rode Heath to Kidsgrove (PDF,
920kb) - a 3 mile ride along the towpath of the Trent and Mersey
canal. The local landscape is undulating with views towards the
hills of the Peak District.
Congleton
- Biddulph Valley Way (PDF,
949kb) - this route is part of the National Cycle Network 55
Telford to Preston and has a firm, level surface of crushed stone.
The route follows the railway line that was used to transport coal
from the Potteries to Congleton. Approximately 6 mile traffic free
route.
Macclesfield
- Middlewood Way (PDF,
2.1mb) - a 10 mile route that follows the former Macclesfield
, Bollington and Marple railway through picturesque countryside
between historic mill towns. The line in it's heyday carried
cotton, silk, coal as well as passengers. For much of its length,
the Middlewood Way runs close to the Macclesfield Canal.
Chester - the area around Chester has a number
of traffic free paths to explore.
- Canalside path (PDF, 1.26Mb) -
an approximate 10 mile journey along the Shropshire Union
Canal towpath from Waverton to Ellesmere Port. The paths are all
flat except for a short hill leading to the Northgate Locks in the
heart of Chester. The canal towpath can at times become narrow and
you will have to negotiate some low bridges, so it's not suitable
for bikes towing trailers.
- Railway path (PDF, 1.15mb) -
a 8 mile journey from Kingsway, Chester to the old steelworks site
at Shotton (just across the border into Wales). This route utilises
the track bed of the disused railway line, the path which is part
of the National Cycle Network route 5, was constructed in 2000 and
is also known as the Millennium Route, eventually it is hoped to
extend the route past Kingsway and onto Mickle Trafford.
- Riverside path (PDF, 1.04mb) -
a 8 mile ride from Chester to Connah's Quay was built in 2006 and
runs alongside the River Dee with some stunning views of the
spectacular suspension bridge which crosses the Dee near Connahs
Quay. The riverside and railway routes can be linked by using a
short section of canal towpath and a short section on road to
create a circular 16 mile ride.
Winsford
The area is renown for it's salt
production over the years, the following routes follow it's history
in places. For nature lovers the River Weaver is easily
accessible.
- Whitegate Way (PDF, 1082kb) -
this route follows what was the railway line from Winsford to
Cuddington. Today you can still see a few reminders of it's past
history along the way as well as various wildlife ranging from
harebell and toadflax to butterflies and dragonflies.
- Weaver Parkway (PDF,
1376kb) - this route follows an extensive area of open green
space alongside the River Weaver on the fringe of Winsford. Both
routes are part of the National Cycle Network routes 5 and 71 and
can be linked by a short section on road cycling.
Middlewich
- Middlewich Canal (PDF, 450kb) -
a 3 mile journey along the Middlewich Canal, from Middlewich
town centre to Clive Green.