A cyclist riding through central London A cyclist riding through central London

The best cycle routes in London

Despite the introduction of public cycle hire schemes, it's fair to say that London isn't as cyclist-friendly as some other cities. Even if it's not the most obvious place for cycling, the city is still home to plenty of keen riders, from those who use their bike as their main way of getting around to people who just enjoy a leisurely ride now and then. There are also some great cycle routes around the capital to discover. Get some ideas for bike rides with our guide to the best cycle routes in London.

In this guide
  1. Cycle routes in London
    1. Tower of London to Big Ben – One for sightseers
    2. Limehouse Basin to London Fields – Cruise beside the canal
    3. Richmond Park – Traffic-free circular route
    4. Parkland Walk – Leafy North London
    5. Wandle Trail – Nature in South London
    6. Quirky London – Discover the unexpected
    7. Olympic Park to Wanstead Flats – Modern and natural sights
    8. Hackney Marshes to Walthamstow Wetlands – Escape the busy streets
    9. Hyde Park – Explore a famous London park
    10. Olympic Park to Waltham Abbey – Head out of the city
    11. Dulwich Park to Brockwell Park – Easy-going bike ride
    12. The Regent's Park – Scenic parkland loop
    13. Swain's Lane Circuit – Set yourself up for a challenge
    14. Elephant Park to Burgess Park – Laidback South London route
    15. Shoreditch to Stratford – Discover East London by bike
    16. Regent's Park to Hampstead Heath – Amazing London views
    17. Battersea Park to Greenwich – Riverside cycling
    18. St James's Park to Kyoto Garden – Visit four of London's parks
    19. King's Cross to Notting Hill – Biking by the canal
    20. Big Ben to Richmond Park – Challenging loop with climbs
    21. The North London Escape – Lengthy cycling loop
    22. Regent's Canal – Scenic city route
    23. Olympic Park to Epping Forest – Peaceful route and off-road trails
    24. St Paul's Cathedral to Campden Hill Road – Central cycling route
    25. Blackheath to Cutty Sark – Ride through Greenwich Park
    26. The Line – London's artsiest bike route

Cycle routes in London

Tower of London to Big Ben

One for sightseers

Take in some of London's most spectacular sights by cycling from the Tower of London to Big Ben. This riverside route follows a prominent cycle lane and lets you see iconic landmarks like The Shard, Shakespeare's Globe, and Somerset House before you're rewarded with the sight of Big Ben at the finish line.

  • Distance: 5km

Limehouse Basin to London Fields

Cruise beside the canal

Enjoy a canalside cycle through East London by biking from Limehouse Basin up to London Fields. This quieter stretch of the canal means you're less likely to have to dodge pedestrians. You'll pass by Mile End Park and Victoria Park along the way before passing Broadway Market and ending up at London Fields, the ideal spot to relax after your journey.

  • Distance: 6km

Richmond Park

Traffic-free circular route

Richmond Park offers tons of space to walk or cycle around and is famous for wildlife, including free-roaming deer. The Tamsin Trail is a popular spot for cyclists and walkers. It's a circular route that's almost entirely car-free, and lets you take in many of the park's fab sights. You can start the trail from a number of the park's entrances.

  • Distance: 12km

Parkland Walk

Leafy North London

Cycling along North London's Parkland Walk takes you between Finsbury Park and Alexandra Palace. This leafy route snakes along beside a disused railway track lined with trees. Apart from walkers it's an obstacle-free path, with a small section of riding on the road between Highgate and Muswell Hill. If you're looking for a scenic and peaceful cycling route this is worth checking out.

  • Distance: 6km

Wandle Trail

Nature in South London

Explore South London on your bike with the Wandle Trail, a 20km riverside trail for cyclists and walkers between Wandsworth and Croydon. It's a haven for nature in one of South London's most industrialised areas. Along the way you can also take a short detour in Wandle Hill Park, which is itself a popular destination.

  • Distance: 20km

Quirky London

Discover the unexpected

TfL's Quirky London cycle route lets you discover bits of the capital you might not be familiar with. Expect the unexpected as you bike between Neal's Yard and London Bridge, taking in sights like the Golden Boy Statue and Cross Bones Graveyard. There are plenty of TfL bike docking stations along the way so you can always make your ride longer or shorter.

  • Distance: 5km

Olympic Park to Wanstead Flats

Modern and natural sights

Perhaps not the most scenic route, the reward here is at the start and end points. Around the Olympic Park you'll see striking modern sights like the Olympic Stadium and the ArcelorMittal Orbit. You can then take a number of routes towards Wanstead Flats, with Cann Hill Road being the most popular. You'll finish up in a wild oasis with free-roaming geese.

  • Distance: 6km

Hackney Marshes to Walthamstow Wetlands

Escape the busy streets

For cyclists who want to avoid busy roads, the Hackney Marshes to Walthamstow Wetlands route is a suitable option. This is a gentle route taking you through lots of natural landscape. You'll bike along the River Lea up to the nature reserve. You can then explore this 211-hectare site or you can loop around and head back towards Hackney Marshes.

  • Distance: 8km
Hyde Park – Cycle routes
Hyde Park
Hyde Park – Cycle routes
Hyde Park
Hyde Park – Cycle routes
Hyde Park
Hyde Park – Cycle routes
Hyde Park
Hyde Park – Cycle routes
Hyde Park
Hyde Park – Cycle routes
Hyde Park
Hyde Park – Cycle routes
Hyde Park
Hyde Park – Cycle routes
Hyde Park

Hyde Park

Explore a famous London park

Explore one of London's most famous parks by taking a leisurely loop around Hyde Park. This is a safe and traffic-free bike route – start at Marble Arch and go in whichever direction you prefer. You'll pass by the Italian Gardens, Kensington Palace, and the Royal Albert Hall. You can also venture further into the park to discover some of its many other points of interest.

  • Distance: 7km

Olympic Park to Waltham Abbey

Head out of the city

If you fancy venturing out of the city, start at Stratford and head north to Waltham Abbey, a market town just outside the capital. Take in the dramatic sights of the Olympic Park before biking along the River Lea. You'll get great views of the river and Walthamstow Wetlands before reaching the end point where there are plenty of quaint pubs to reward yourself in.

  • Distance: 20km

Dulwich Park to Brockwell Park

Easy-going bike ride

You can enjoy two of South London's most popular parks with the short cycle route between Dulwich Park and Brockwell Park. This quiet and gentle bike ride is ideal for beginners or more nervous riders. Start by the East Lawns in Dulwich Park, head towards the sports ground, and then keep going until you reach Brockwell Park – don't forget your celebratory loop around the park at the end.

  • Distance: 3km

The Regent's Park

Scenic parkland loop

One simple and scenic cycling route is making laps around The Regent's Park Outer Circle. Each lap is 4km but you can take as many as you like. Some parts are car-free and on every lap you'll see attractive flowerbeds, trees, and grassy areas. Start by Regent's Park station and whizz about in an anti-clockwise direction.

  • Distance: 4km

Swain's Lane Circuit

Set yourself up for a challenge

Although it's only about 2km long, the Swain's Lane Circuit is challenging because of the notorious climb it involves. The route starts at Swain's Lane and passes between the entrances to the East and West cemeteries at Highgate before you navigate the narrow and steep climb. You'll emerge at peaceful Pond Square before riding back to the starting point.

  • Distance: 2km

Elephant Park to Burgess Park

Laidback South London route

If you're after an easy-going route then biking between Elephant Park and Burgess Park in South London is a good option. This one is short and flat, running parallel to some main roads that are still pretty quiet. You'll finish up in Burgess Park where there's a BMX track if you fancy honing your skills and trying some tricks.

  • Distance: 3km

Shoreditch to Stratford

Discover East London by bike

Tour vibrant East London by biking from Shoreditch to Stratford, with lots of interesting places to stop along the way. Start at Boxpark before moving along Bethnal Green Road and passing through Victoria Park and the Olympic Park. You're then free to explore the shops and venues in Stratford, or you can hop back on your bike and go back the way you came.

  • Distance: 6km

Regent's Park to Hampstead Heath

Amazing London views

A route with loads of parkland and scenic views is biking between Regent's Park and Hampstead Heath. You'll head to Primrose Hill and enjoy spectacular city views before continuing to Hampstead Heath and Parliament Hill where you'll get another fab view of the city. At Hampstead Heath there's loads more to explore plus plenty of places if you need a rest.

  • Distance: 3km

Battersea Park to Greenwich

Riverside cycling

Begin your journey at Thameside park Battersea Park and you'll be able to enjoy an impressive array of London's top landmarks including Tate Modern, the London Eye, and Borough Market. Follow this scenic riverside route along quiet streets and traffic-free paths before racing through Greenwich Park to get to the Royal Observatory.

  • Distance: 16km

St James's Park to Kyoto Garden

Visit four of London's parks

Begin and end your bike ride in scenic park locations by travelling between St James's Park and the elegant Kyoto Garden in Holland Park. On the way you'll travel through Green Park and Hyde Park, letting you take in lots of attractive scenery. This route is mainly flat and is a great option for a gentle ride.

  • Distance: 5km

King's Cross to Notting Hill

Biking by the canal

Travel to the west of the city by cycling between King's Cross and Notting Hill. This route is mainly flat and quiet, with most of the journey following the canal path. Start at Granary Square and follow the path towards Camden, where you might spot some residents of London Zoo. After riding over to Little Venice, you can follow some quiet streets to reach Notting Hill.

  • Distance: 10km

Big Ben to Richmond Park

Challenging loop with climbs

For cyclists who love a challenge, take on the Big Ben to Richmond Park loop, taking you on a journey from the heart of the capital to its edge and back. Of course, you can opt to just go one way. You'll pedal along the Thames before joining the South Circular and heading towards the park. If you tackle the whole loop there are steep climbs on the way back.

  • Distance: 38km

The North London Escape

Lengthy cycling loop

Take on The North London Escape when you've got lots of energy to burn. Taking you around the city's outer edge, you can escape the hustle and bustle here. Starting in Alexandra Park, you'll head out towards Finchley, Barnet, and Wrotham Park, just outside the city in Hertfordshire. This one's a loop so you can keep going and head back to the starting point.

  • Distance: 44km

Regent's Canal

Scenic city route

Scenic Regent's Canal is popular with walkers and cyclists and you can bike the entire route from Little Venice to Limehouse Basin. It's ideal for a leisurely cycle due to its winding waterways and the presence of pedestrians. Along the way you'll spot sights like Regent's Park and Camden Lock, and there are lots of places you can stop at along the way.

  • Distance: 14km

Olympic Park to Epping Forest

Peaceful route and off-road trails

You can appreciate riverside scenery as well as wildlife and woodland with the cycle route between the Olympic Park in Stratford and Epping Forest. The journey runs a straightforward route along the peaceful River Lea before you emerge into Epping Forest and can explore its ancient woodland and off-road trails.

  • Distance: 20km

St Paul's Cathedral to Campden Hill Road

Central cycling route

Take in the sights of three of London's major parks by cycling from St Paul's Cathedral to Campden Hill Road, just to the west of Hyde Park. You'll take in some of the city's famous riverside sights including the Houses of Parliament before moving into St James's Park, then Green Park and Hyde Park. You can explore the parks a bit more or head all the way to Campden Hill Road.

  • Distance: 9km

Blackheath to Cutty Sark

Ride through Greenwich Park

Cycling from Blackheath to Cutty Sark might be a relatively short route but there are some challenging climbs along the way. From Blackheath you can cycle to Greenwich Park and then you're faced with a steep hill through the park, taking you towards riverside museum the Cutty Sark. Luckily there's a pub right next to it if you need a rest.

  • Distance: 6km

The Line

London's artsiest bike route

You'll be making lots of stops and there are a couple of sections you'll likely want to traverse by public transport (ie. crossing the Thames), so it's not ideal for setting any personal bests, but if you want to add a bit of culture to your ride, The Line is a great choice. This outdoor art trail winds down from the ArcelorMittal Orbit to Royal Victoria Dock before crossing to The O2, featuring an evolving programme of art installations along the way.

  • Distance: 8km

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Editors

At Thatsup, we have extensive experience of guiding our readers to a city’s hidden gems. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things. Our guides consist of carefully selected tips based on our local knowledge and are regularly updated with the help of our focus group, where we collectively discuss selections and content. We are constantly working to inspire and provide you with the best possible experience, no matter where you are or what you are looking for.