Nottinghamshire has over 650 miles of countryside and urban cycle routes, and some fantastic cycling-specific facilities. Great for recreational riding, commuting to work or cycling to the shops and school.
Planning cycle routes – where to ride
We produce guides and maps so you can make the most of what’s on offer. See a list of all of our cycling publications.
Or why not take a look at the new cycle journey planner developed by Transport Direct, which allows you to select the quickest, quietest or most recreational cycle route to your destination.
Rights of way
You can cycle on roads, rights of way and special cycle lanes that are provided in some urban areas. Rights of way open up the countryside to cyclists who can use bridleways, byways and restricted byways. You shouldn’t cycle on footpaths as these are only for walkers, and you should always give way to walkers or horse riders.
Interactive map
View an interactive map of the rights of way in Nottinghamshire.
Or you can use the County cycle maps, Ordnance Survey maps and road maps to plan a route - check which Ordnance Survey Explorer maps cover your area [PDF 388KNB]. You are also welcome to visit our offices to view the Definitive Map for Nottinghamshire, please contact us if you would like to come in.
Parks and routes
Nottinghamshire has some great areas for cycling, a few are listed below, but you can find much more if you explore.
- Clumber Park has a large path network website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
- Sherwood Pines has woodland paths as well as a mountain bike tracks website: www.forestry.gov.uk
- Rushcliffe County Park has a trails bike run website: www.rushcliffe.gov.uk
- The Big Track is a 10 mile waterside car free route that starts in Nottingham City website: www.thebigwheel.org.uk
- Bestwood Country Park is also great for cycling.
Nottinghamshire's network of cycle routes runs through some of the most attractive parts of the County and connects the city of Nottingham to many major tourist attractions. There are links to the neighbouring counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire. The Recreational Cycle Network map [PDF 6MB] shows how the routes link together and connect the attractions. To plan your route in more detail, use the four cycling maps of the county.
National Cycle Network
Part of the National Cycle Network runs through Nottinghamshire; Route 6 runs from Nottingham to Worksop or Derby, Route 64 from Bingham to Lincoln and Route 15 from Nottingham to Bingham.
- Find out more about the National Cycle Network from the Sustrans website: www.sustrans.org.uk.
Dukeries Trail
The new Dukeries Trail runs across North Nottinghamshire, to the Derbyshire and Lincolnshire borders, through the former Ducal estates of Clumber, Welbeck and Thoresby.
If the leaflet is too large to print at home, you can contact us for a paper copy, or to get maps of sections of the route go to our RouteXchange search page and add 'Dukeries Trail' as a keyword.
Erewash Valley Trail
The Erewash Valley Trail is a 30 mile long route for walkers and cyclists. It runs through beautiful waterway and countryside landscape on the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire borders and links to the Nutbrook Trail, the Big Track and Route 6, and gives access to the wonderful wildlife and heritage which make this area so interesting.
You can also contact us for a paper copy.
Ashfield and Mansfield Trails
This network of trails links National Cycle Route 6 at Sherwood Pines to the Phoenix Greenways in Derbyshire running through Rainworth, Mansfield, Sutton in Ashfield and Pleasley. Two maps are available to download:
You can also contact us for paper copies.
The Big Track
The Big Track is a 10 mile waterside car free route that starts in Nottingham City and runs to Attenborough Nature Reserve, where it links to the Erewash Valley Trail.
- Visit www.thebigwheel.org.uk to download a map, or contact them for a paper copy.
Grantham Canal
The Grantham Canal is owned by British Waterways and runs through the lovely Vale of Belvoir. The towpath is available for cycling from the edge of Nottingham to the canal terminus. Please cycle with great care and courtesy to others, observing the Waterways Code for Cyclists. You must display a valid British Waterways cycling permit on your cycle at all times, which you can download free of charge.
National Byway
Mostly on road, with some busy A-road sections, this route is suitable for more experienced cyclists.
- Visit the website for details: www.thenationalbyway.org.uk
Guided cycle rides
Rural Rides is a programme of guided cycle rides delivered by Ridewise, that run throughout the year across the county. All the rides are free, and there are different rides to suit all ages and abilities.
Learn to ride
If you've never learnt to ride, or just want to improve your skills and confidence, contact Ridewise: www.ridewise.org.uk, who offer free child and adult cycle training tailored to your needs.
Cycle hire
Cycle hire is available in Nottinghamshire at:
- Clumber Park website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk,
- Sherwood Pines website: www.sherwoodpinescycles.co.uk/hirebikes (this is the closest cycle hire venue to Sherwood Forest, please note there are no cycle hire facilities available at Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve)
- and in Nottingham at Bunney’s Bikes website: www.bunneysbikes.co.uk.
Countryside photos
Want to bask in, or share your appreciation of, the Nottinghamshire countryside? We run an online photo sharing group called Flickr Best of Notts website: www.flickr.com/groups/bestofnotts where you can post your best photos of Nottinghamshire and browse images by local photographers.
Useful contacts
Contact us for more information about cycling in Nottinghamshire, or if you have come across a problem while out on your bike you can report this online.
Report a problem with a right of way (countryside, waterside tracks)
Report a problem with a cycle lane (urban areas – signed with blue cycle route signs)
More useful contacts for cyclists.
