I was just wondering if anyone could recommend any good old railway lines to cycle in uk. I’ve cycled some of the old cinder trail and the Bath to Bristol but I though there must be some other nice ones?
Monsal trail is supposed to be beautiful although, to my shame, I never walked along it in the 25 years I lived in Derbyshire (not a cyclist). I can recommend the route following the old line between Yelverton and Tavistock on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon, which I have walked a good part of. It goes through the Grenofen tunnel and has some raised sections as well. As well as a good walking trail, it has been set up for cyclists as well. I can also recommend The Rock pub in Yelverton which does fantastic food and great beer,
I've done a few of the local ones - Buzzard Trail, Camel Trail, Bristol-Bath, Plym Valley. Also have walked part of the Tarka Trail, the Manifold Trail and a couple of others. I've also cycled the Exe Estuary trail which is built alongside the railway.
Several parts of the old Midland and South Western Junction between South Cerney and Marlborough have been turned into foot/cycle tracks, which we walk quite frequently. However there are a few gaps - Cricklade to North Swindon (partly occupied by the Heritage Railway), Swindon Old Town to Coate Water and a short section at Chisledon. Parts of the path are in a very poor state, churned up with mud, large holes and craters flooded this time of year. Quite badly neglected.
In the Netherlands you will find a huge amount of cycle roads, including some former railway tracks. It's a all a great experience, I do a cycling holiday every year visiting different parts of the country. In about 10-12 years I visited all parts and then I just start again.
We did a bikepacking overnighter from Bromsgrove to the Peak District. Rode up the Tissington Trail, camped overnight at The Royal Oak then cut across and came back down the Monsal Trail the next day. Would recommend both.
