Hi all. Due to MS I ride an adult trike and my husband has a hybrid bike. We take the bikes with us when we go caravanning and are always on the look out for sites near to accessible traffic free cycle trails. For those unsure of what the issues are with a trike, we need a path which is wide enough for 3 Wheels, reasonably flat, not too muddy. Canal towpaths can be good, although some are grass only or they have narrow sections. Any information from cyclists or walkers about suitable UK trails very welcome.
I've found the Sustrans routes fit that brief, wide & many are off road (often along disused railway tracks e.g. beside sections of the Argyll coast south of Oban). And 2 Scottish National Parks are well provided - the cycle trails from Glenmore back to Aviemore beside Loch Morlich in the pine woods are wide & well made (aimed at adults cycling beside small children). There's a good cycle path along the west side of the southern half of Loch Lomond.
Personally, I've found not all canal paths are wide enough (I tend to wobble beside edges & almost fell into the canal that's east of Chester). Finding a campsite right beside a canal should be easy enough - you can use the Search tab. A recent thread asks about sites by water. Others are specific about canals.
PS - I forgot to say - welcome to UKCS.
Good luck with your search. It's a great way to get out & about.
I know its a fair way to go but you should try going to Wirral country park site, it has miles of what is a disused rail track from south of heswall all the way to west Kirby (shops!) the site itself is right on the beach although it does have a roadway that you can use to access the beach as the steps are a bit much of a climb even for those of us who are fit! the other sites I can think of would be those around Llangollen - chirk on the canal, as the footpath stretches for miles on proper wide footpaths, we use our bikes and take a child cycle trailer for our dogs so understand the restrictions
Thanks Fiona I’ve looked at Sustrans, although they don’t always give full access information. Eg I can’t get the trike over a kissing gate ! I was impressed with Warwickshire Council for realising some bikes have 3 wheels they provide access info on their tracks. We are going to Scotland in October so will try out some of these routes. Thanks again, very kind of you to reply. I love this site !
Hi Seasidenana. I too use an adult tricycle and look for sites near to cycle paths.
I've found very few that actually give access directly onto a cycle path but those that are 'doable' are:
Bath - Bristol Cycle path - stay at Bath Marina Caravan Park. There is a short ride on road, with a cycle lane, to reach the path.
Tarka Trail, Devon - stay at any of the campsites near Braunton/Saunton/Croyde etc. We stay at Croyde and drive the bikes to Braunton or Barnstable, park up and pick up the cycle path there.
Camel Trail, Padstow, Cornwall - the trail runs near Dennis Cove campsite and it used to be possible to push my trike from the campsite, around a pond and onto the trail but the last time we went the path on the pond bank had eroded so much it was not safe. There are other ways onto through a small housing estate though.
Exeter to Dawlish Cycle Path - we stay either at a CL in Starcross or Cofton Country Holiday Park in Cockwood, both a short on road bike ride to pick up the cycle path, or there are big caravan sites in Dawlish Warren.
Strawberry Line, Somerset - we stay in one of the campsites in Cheddar. Pedruth Paddock has direct access to the cycle path, but there are some short on road sections. Cheddar Bridge Campsite (adult only) and the Cheddar C&MC site need a short on road ride to the village then you pick the path up there. The ride around the reservoir is lovely but there is a steep on road section into Axbridge (I ride down, push up!).
Sorry these are all in the south west but that is where I live. I'm still looking for other sites elesewhere.
We also do a lot of cycling in France where there are some lovely off road paths with nearby campsites.
BTW some of the gates with restricted width are padlocked and can be opened with a Radar Key as they need to have some form of access for wheelchair users. I used to do this on a cycle path across the Somerset Levels before the surface got too bad for my trike.
Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire has many forest trails which would be suitable and many nearby camp/caravan sites.
The trails are either dirt paths through the woods but wide enough for vehicles or a network of tarmacced trails suitable for cars but with speed bumps.
These trails exist because they are working forests so they have to be able to get in and out. Some great scenery and views too.
An update, we have found some trike friendly paths which others may find helpful. These are also suitable for cycles, buggies and possibly wheelchairs for some.
Leeds Liverpool Canal towpath, access is a short cycle ride from Esholt Sports Centre camp site. The immediate access path is steep, but after that it’s a great ride in either direction.
We cycled the lakeside path south shore of Kielder Water, we used Kielder camp site. Some sections are steep, but it’s accessible. There are toilets on route when you reach the access points and there is acafe at Leaplish.
We stayed at Bay View Bolton le Sands and cycled to Lancaster on the towpath. This route was great on the trike.
If you look at my campsite reviews they are mostly sites that are very close to off road cycle trails. Off the top of my head, Rivendale in The Peak District. Gargrave for LL canal. Wirral country park, petwood campsite in Woodhall Spa, lincs.
Hi have a look st Millbridge Farm in Naburn near York. It has a 15 mile cycle track next to the site stretching from a Selby to York all Tarmac it's an old railway line .
As for the site it has hard standings thst are very spacious as well as grass pitches
The owner if very friendly & the site is over road from York Marina with a cafe / bar there bit prices in the bar as it caters for the boating crowd
Regards a Graham
How near to a cycle path do you need to be, ie path right outside the site entrance or could you cycle a short distance to get to one? Manorafon Farm at Abegele is a great site, there's a traffic-free path right from the site entrance which takes you a short ride up to the old castle but it's woodland after that and probably won't be suitable for a trike, however a few minutes on-road ride from the site takes you to the North Wales Coastal Path, wide, traffic-free, and running up to Prestatyn in one direction or down to Penrhyn Bay between Rhos-on-Sea and Llandudno in the other direction.
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Accessible cycle paths near sites
