Join Our Newsletter
Blog Contact Us
Get Listed
© 2024 Herefordshire County BID

Cycling in Herefordshire

Image
cycling

Cycling Routes for all levels

  • Great cycle routes for all abilities
  • Road, gravel & mountain biking
  • Gentle jaunts & long-distance challenges
  • Rolling backroads, steep climbs & thrilling descents 
  • Along the River Wye, through 'black and white' villages 
  • Pause at medieval castles, country churches, open gardens and craft cider makers
  • Stop en route at pretty villages and market towns well stocked with cafes and pubs
     
Image
Bike

 

 

Whatever your fitness or pace, you’ll find routes to suit in Herefordshire, from gentle jaunts to 60-mile cross-country epics.


Ride through our beautiful landscapes, from the level lanes alongside the Rivers Wye, Lugg and Arrow, to switchback ascents across the Golden Valley, the Black Mountains and the Malvern Hills. For mountain bike trails, head to Mortimer Forest, Wigmore Rolls and Symonds Yat.

 

Headline Routes

The Watkins Way - 106 Miles

Woolhope · Holme Lacy · Kilpeck · Abbey Dore · Longtown · Bredwardine · Eardisley · Kington · Pembridge · Wigmore · Leominster · Bodenham · Hereford

A brilliantly scenic long-distance ride featuring steep inclines and thrilling descents. Takes in wild, ancient landscapes taking in the Wye Valley, Golden Valley and Black and White Villages, as well as heritage landmarks. Awesome views guaranteed.

Read more

View on Strava

Image
Ben Andrews
Bredwardine Bridge
Image
Arthur's Stone
Arthur's Stone
Image
Longtown Castle
Longtown Castle
Image
Scenic aerial view of Dore Abbey
Dore Abbey
Image
The Market Hall, Pembridge
The Market Hall, Pembridge

Black & White Village Trails

Leominster · Kingsland · Eardisland · Pembridge · Eardisley · Weobley · Dilwyn · Leominster

Tucked beneath the wooded hills of the Arrow and Lugg river valleys in north-west Herefordshire lies a cluster of Black & White villages.

The history of these ancient settlements is far from monochrome, however, and among the timber-framed houses you’ll discover reminders of Norman conquerors, including fine stone churches and the remains of castles built to defend from Welsh incursions.

Choose your route below

Image
Lavender Blue with Annie Mac's Tea Room, Weobley
Image
Cycling Pembridge
Image
Dilwyn
Image
The New Inn, Pembridge

Full Tour - 42 Miles

Image
Cycling Pembridge

Leominster · Kingsland · Eardisland · Pembridge · Eardisley · Weobley · Dilwyn · Leominster

Tour northern Herefordshire’s most photogenic ‘black and white villages’. Timber-framed houses line the streets, interspersed with cosy pubs, historic churches and riverside picnic spots. Read more about the villages.

 

Shortcut Loop - 27 Miles

Image
Cycling through Pembridge

Leominster · Kingsland · Eardisland · Pembridge · Weobley · Dilwyn · Leominster

If you are short on time, try our pretty shortcut. It takes in Kingsland and Eardisland, before tracking cross-country from Pembridge to Weobley, ensuring that you experience the main stars of the show.

 

Eardisland to Pembridge - 9.25 Miles

Image
Cycling through Pembridge

Eardisland · Pembridge · Luntley · Eardisland

This route takes in a section along the River Arrow and quiet country lanes, making it perfect for a short but gentle jaunt. Ideal for beginners.

 

Cider Circuits

Cider Circuits

South Cider Circuit: The Redstreak

59 or 31.5 miles
Hereford · Wye Valley · Ledbury · Bromyard · Hereford

Travel a land of ancient apple and pear orchards as you roll between them on an undulating ride through glorious countryside and along the River Wye.

View on Strava

Cider & Cheese

North Cider Circuit: The Newton Wonder

49 miles
Hereford · Weobley · Pembridge · Monkland · Hereford

A succession of moderate ascents, rewarded by sweeping vistas. Tour the trio of 'black and white villages' then refuel on artisan cheese and cider.

View on Strava

cycle

West Cider Circuit: Porter's Perfection

48.5 miles
Dorstone · Bredwardine · Whitney-on-Wye · Longtown · Dorstone

Tackle the double loop or just cycle one section. With craft cider makers, historic pubs and a Neolithic burial chamber.

View on Strava

The Golden Valley Pilgrim Way

The Golden Valley Pilgrim Way

Hereford · Kilpeck · Ewyas Harold · Clodock · Longtown · Michaelchurch Escley · Hay-on-Wye · Dorstone · Madley · Hereford

Bring your own beliefs (or none) on this stunning circular cycle route which takes in sacred sites, ancient castle ruins and holy wells.

 And for the complete experience, take the opportunity to stay in remote medieval churches en route. 

Pause for breaks at hidden farms which produce artisan cider and delicious ice cream, and soak up the shifting landscapes, from gentle wooded river valleys to dramatic mountain views. 

Read our leisurely five day option or opt to cover the same ground over a weekend.

Discover the route

Image
View of Black Mountains

Gravel Cycle Rides

The Whimble Loop

Image
Cycling

Cross into Powys to explore the wild Radnor Hills on a mixed road and gravel ride – a demanding ascent is well rewarded with far-reaching views and enthralling woodland trails.

Image
wigmore

Croft Wood & Wigmore Rolls

Enjoy a satisfyingly lumpy ride along gravel, C-roads, forest tracks and bridlepaths through conifer woods and quiet country lanes. Pause at Croft Ambrey hillfort and Wigmore Castle en route.

Road Cycling Routes

Image
Hergest Ridge

Brilley Mountain & Painscastle

Trace the Welsh border south from Kington on a peaceful but lumpy route along mostly traffic-free C-roads – tackling one really testing climb that rewards with dramatic, far-reaching vistas to Hay Bluff.

Hay-on-Wye & Gospel Pass

Image
Bonnie the Springer Hay Bluff

Beautiful but testing ride along the side of Hay Bluff followed by a steady climb back past Llanthony Abbey, culminating in spectacular views from the top of Gospel Pass.

Cycle Hire & Holidays