We stock a wide range of maps and guide books for all of the long-distance cycle-touring routes in the UK. With so many having a staycation now (see blog post of 10 best cycling staycations), in addition to those who cycle regularly in Britain, I hope this helps.
We have maps and guide books that include:
- the C2C coast to coast cycle route
- the Scottish C2C
- the Reivers Route
- Hadrian’s Cycleway
- the Way of the Roses
- the Trans-Pennine Trail
- the Devon Coast to Coast
- the Coast and Castles (South and North)
- the South Coast route (West and East)
- the Celtic Trail
- the Lancashire Cycleway
- the National Byway
- London to Brighton
- Bristol to London
- London to Land’s End
- Land’s End to John O’Groats.
The waymarked cycle routes are mostly Sustrans official routes, though some are not: the Reivers Route is a regional route, the National Byway is separate, and LEJOG has no official route or signposting at all.
The above all have their own specific map and/or guide book. There are many other routes on the National Cycle Network, and these can be followed using the Sustrans pocket-sized maps range.
A good overview of the UK’s long-distance cycle routes can be found on The Ultimate UK Cycle Route Planner.
Below are just some of the most popular.
Click the links to find more information on each or click to go direct to the section of the Shop covering long-distance UK cycle routes.
Long-distance cycle touring routes
The following are just some of the most popular routes.
The C2C Coast to Coast Cycle Route – the ‘Sea to Sea’
This is the iconic coast to coast cycle route, normally done in 3-4 days. Some testing hills and beautiful scenery.
The route is normally done West to East, with start points at Whitehaven and Workington, and end points at Tynemouth and Sunderland.
- More information on the Sustrans C2C coast to coast cycle route.
- Buy the Sustrans C2C coast to coast cycle route map and a guide book.
The Scottish C2C Coast to Coast cycle route
This is a new cycle route through the Southern Uplands of Scotland, from coast to coast.
The guide book includes maps, directions, attractions along the way, accommodation and much more.
Hadrian’s Cycleway
Probably the second most popular coast-to-coast route.
Starts in Tynemouth along the same route as the C2C, but then keeps to the Tyne Valley to cross the Pennines.
The Reivers Route
Originally known as “The Return C2C”, the Reivers Route starts at Tynemouth and finishes in Whitehaven. It’s wilder country than the C2C, and a longer route, but with fewer big climbs.
Way of the Roses Cycle Route
Starting on the Lancashire coast, and finishing on the Yorkshire coast, taking in Lancaster, the Dales and York along the way.
174 miles. A cracking route.
Trans-Pennine Trail
Starting on the Lancashire coast at Southport, heading into Liverpool on marked cycleways, then east into Manchester and on into Yorkshire.
Devon Coast to Coast Cycle Route
This is a 102 mile route from either Ilfracombe or Bude on the north coast of Devon to Plymouth on the south coast.
It is a wonderful route taking in coasts, estuaries and beaches, plus The Granite Way on the flank of Dartmoor, the Plym Valley Trail and the famous Tarka Trail.
Easier than the real C2C, but still with some climbs – it’s not flat! If you’re not sure about the real C2C as a challenge, maybe do this one first?
- More information on the Devon Coast to Coast cycle route.
- Buy your Devon Coast to Coast cycle route guide book.
Coast and Castles Cycle Route
The 200 mile Coast & Castles South cycle route (National Route 1) links the Forth and Tyne estuaries, taking in some of Britain’s best built and natural heritage.
The route includes Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site, unspoiled coastline and the beautiful Tweed Valley before arriving in Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city.
And then there is the granddaddy of long-distance cycle-touring routes in the UK:
Land’s End to John O’Groats Cycle Route
Four guide books show a variety of routes, from country lanes to fast A-roads. The guide books are:
- Cicerone’s ‘End to End Cycle Route – Land’s End to John O’Groats‘.
- Land’s End to John O’Groats on the Sustrans National Cycle Network
- Phil Horsley’s ‘Land’s End to John O’Groats – Great British Cycling Adventure‘.
- Brian Smailes’s ‘Land’s End to John O’Groats Guide‘.
- More information on the Land’s End to John O’Groats cycling guide books.
- Buy your Land’s End to John O’Groats cycle guide book
Other long-distance cycle-touring routes in the UK
There are other many other waymarked cycle-touring routes on the National Cycle Network of course, and you can find them in the Shop here.
