Traffic Free / Off Road Cycling in South East England
Introduction
Below are traffic free / off road long distance cycle routes in South East England. They consist of canal and river towpaths, disused railway lines, seafront paths, and some long distance walks which are also permissive routes for cyclists. While the new "NCN" national cycle routes show promise, few of them in the south east are traffic free for significant stretches. I look forward to being proved wrong!
Please note that most of these routes are mainly aimed at pedestrians, so please don't shame yourself and spoil it for other cyclists by cycling aggressively.
- Always give way to pedestrians, especially children, the elderly, and the less able
- Slow down when you meet pedestrians (and at blind bends)
- When approaching pedestrians from behind, please do not ring your bell (which can startle them), but slow to walking pace, and say 'excuse me'
- On rivers and canals : dismount under narrow or low bridges, and past locks
| Region | Star | # | Walk | Km | Effort | Ht. gain | Description | London |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Sussex | 14 | Cuckoo Trail | 23.0 | 1 | 50 | A disused railway line path through quiet countryside | ||
| East Sussex | 8 | Forest Way | 24.1 | 1 | 125 | 2 disused railways lines through rural Sussex | ||
| Kent | 12 | Crab And Winkle Way | 10.1 | 1 | 100 | Disused railway line | ||
| Kent | 7 | North Kent Coast | 1.0 | 1 | 300 | A sea wall path past some pretty coastline and seaside resorts | ||
| London | 5 | Regents Canal | 34.2 | 1 | 50 | A canal side towpath through Victoria Park, Camden, Little Venice, West London | ||
| London | 4 | River Lee Navigation | 40.7 | 1 | 50 | A canal side path through Docklands, the Olympic Park, surburbia and the Lea Valley | ||
| London | 3 | Wandle Trail | 11.5 | 1 | 25 | A mix of riverside paths and small local parks. Traffic free but crosses many roads. | ||
| South East | 1 | Downs Link | 59.0 | 3 | 300 | 2 disused railway lines and 2 riverside paths - level - and almost entirely traffic free | ||
| South East | 10 | Grand Union Canal | 184.4 | 1 | 425 | Quiet canal side towpath | ||
| South East | 2 | Kennet And Avon Canal | 156.0 | 4 | 550 | A canal side towpath through rural England | ||
| South East | 9 | South Downs Way | 154.7 | 10 | 2,775 | Challenging - the south downs ridge - good trails but many hills | ||
| South East | 11 | Thames Path | 277.0 | 1 | 250 | London, Richmond, Kew, Hampton Court, Windsor, Marlow, Henley, Reading, And Oxford | ||
| Surrey | 6 | Basingstoke Canal | 54.1 | 1 | 25 | A canal side towpath from Byfleet via Woking to Basingstoke | ||
| Surrey | 13 | River Wey Navigation | 30.9 | 2 | 50 | Riverside path - 2 stretches of picturesque open countryside separated by historic Guildford |