Looking for something the whole family can join in with this summer? Why not go on a family bike ride? It can seem like quite a daunting activity at first, especially as there are quite a lot of hills around Snowdonia National Park. Not knowing whether it’s going to get steeper or not probably lingers in the back of your mind. However, there are plenty of routes that aren’t too tasking and are perfect for family and children of all ages and abilities – give them a go.
Note: Be sure to check out the routes listed below before you tackle them, as some are more challenging than others. Always make sure you are well equipped for the ride and your children are capable of completing them.
Wrexham
Acton Park
This short, wide, flat circular route around the central lake is a great option to help get your little ones up to speed on a balance bike or to help them learn to ride without stabilisers.
Alyn Waters Country Park
The largest country park in the Wrexham area, this 2 mile cycleway is great for letting your young children loose and is perfect for those who are less experienced at cycling. It is accessible for wheelchairs too.
Flintshire
National Cycle Network Route 5 (NCN 5)
The Sustrans NCN 5 goes all the way from Chester to Holyhead. Between Chester and Connah Quay there are 8 miles of traffic-free pathways for cyclists, walkers and wheelchair users to enjoy without any worries.
There are some great sections along most of the North Wales coastline including Rhos on Sea, where you can stop off for an ice cream too if you wish.
Llandegla Forest
Llandegla Forest is one of the biggest and best mountain bike centres in Wales and has a great family route to get your youngsters into mountain biking. It can get rather busy but it’s a good opportunity for your young ones to watch the serious bikers coming down the mountain.
Surfaces are often hard packed but there are parts that are looser and muddy at times but great fun all round!
Hiraethog
Hiraethog is a stunning and unspoilt landscape of heather moors, deep forests and quiet lakes in the heart of North Wales and is a really great place for a day of cycling. There are 2 different routes we suggest you try:
Bod Petryal – A short and easy route for the whole family which goes through the beautiful Clocaenog Forest
Alwen Trail – This route is not only cycle friendly but can also be walked. It winds around the Alwen Reservoir and is great for families and those who are less technical mountain bikers. This 7 mile route is well away from roads so you can let the kids concentrate on cycling and most of the time the route is reasonably flat.
Brenig Trail – A great route for introducing some hill climbs but be aware that part of the trail does run along a quiet B road to get to the visitor centre and car park.
Clwydian Range
The Clwydian Range, proposed to be the fourth National Park in Wales, features some stunning scenery throughout with a range of great locations for cycling with the family.
Coel Nercwys Trail – Coed Nercwys is a forest that has a rich past and has remains from the Bronze Age, industrial archeology and was home to Victorian lead mining. Nowadays it is used as a working forest and is often quite busy. If you want to cycle with your family away from busy roads, but make your trip educational, this is the place.
Let us know if you’ve tried any of these routes, or whether you have any other family rides that you can suggest to other fellow riders.
Happy riding!
