Traffic Free / Off Road Cycling in South East England

Introduction

Below are traffic free / off road long distance cycle routes in South East England. They consist of canal and river towpaths, disused railway lines, seafront paths, and some long distance walks which are also permissive routes for cyclists. While the new "NCN" national cycle routes show promise, few of them in the south east are traffic free for significant stretches. I look forward to being proved wrong!

Please note that most of these routes are mainly aimed at pedestrians, so please don't shame yourself and spoil it for other cyclists by cycling aggressively.

Region Star # Walk Km Effort Ht. gain Description London
East Sussex 14 Cuckoo Trail 23.0 1 25 A disused railway line path through quiet countryside
East Sussex 8 Forest Way 24.1 1 100 2 disused railways lines through rural Sussex
Kent 12 Crab And Winkle Way 10.1 1 100 Disused railway line
Kent 7 North Kent Coast 1.0 1 275 A sea wall path past some pretty coastline and seaside resorts
London 5 Regents Canal 34.2 1 50 A canal side towpath through Victoria Park, Camden, Little Venice, West London
London 4 River Lee Navigation 40.7 1 25 A canal side path through Docklands, the Olympic Park, surburbia and the Lea Valley
London 3 Wandle Trail 11.5 1 0 A mix of riverside paths and small local parks. Traffic free but crosses many roads.
South East 1 Downs Link 59.0 3 300 2 disused railway lines and 2 riverside paths - level - and almost entirely traffic free
South East 10 Grand Union Canal 184.4 1 400 Quiet canal side towpath
South East 2 Kennet And Avon Canal 156.0 4 525 A canal side towpath through rural England
South East 9 South Downs Way 154.7 10 2,775 Challenging - the south downs ridge - good trails but many hills
South East 11 Thames Path 277.0 1 250 London, Richmond, Kew, Hampton Court, Windsor, Marlow, Henley, Reading, And Oxford
Surrey 6 Basingstoke Canal 54.1 1 0 A canal side towpath from Byfleet via Woking to Basingstoke
Surrey 13 River Wey Navigation 30.9 2 25 Riverside path - 2 stretches of picturesque open countryside separated by historic Guildford

Last Updated : Mar-24