Cycling

Relaxing rides or tough terrain trails

Cycling is a great way to experience Ribble Valley. Enjoy the Ribble Valley countryside on an unforgettable, exhilarating cycling adventure. The scenic countryside and relatively quiet routes make this a great day out for all ages, and there are plenty of places where you can hire bikes, even electric bikes! What makes a Ribble Valley Cycling experiences even more special is that there are so many tourism businesses that are keen to make cyclists welcome. Many offer bike storage facilities and even cycling meal deals!

One of the top spots for off-road bike fans is Gisburn Forest – the largest forest in Lancashire – where there are a number of purpose-built trails to challenge you.

Start at the Gisburn Forest Hub car park, picnic site and café. Before setting off, you can try the Skills Loop which is located by the stone wall circle at Gisburn Forest Hub, built for practising and perfecting new riding skills before setting off on one of the trails.

The Blue Grade (Bottoms Beck/moderate 9.5km) is suitable for novices and younger riders, the Red Grade (The 8, difﬁcult, 18km), is a rollercoaster ride down Hully Gully. Finally the Orange Grade (Bike Park, 0.5km) is called Hope Line and Leap of Faith – which is just that – so hold on tight to those handlebars!

For a peaceful ride, head to the isolated fells where magniﬁcent scenery meets solitude. There is plenty of safety advice available at Gisburn Forest Hub, giving emergency numbers and the co-ordinates of various remote locations for experienced cyclists going off-track.

For more information please visit the Gisburn Forest Hub.

Cycling Friendly Accommodation

Many of our businesses welcome cyclists

Cycle Map

Cycling is a great way to explore the Ribble Valley. There are many attractive places to visit and quiet lanes on which to cycle. On the way there are villages, cafés and pubs to stop where you will receive a warm welcome. Please download the Ribble Valley Cycle Map.

Cycle Routes

Explore Ribble Valley by bike on one of our popular circular cycle routes.

Developed with the help of local cyclists, each self-guided route will takes you through stunning countryside, passing though some of Lancashire’s Prettiest villages.