Leave the traffic behind

While many cyclists are confident riding along main roads, others like to leave the cars and lorries behind and enjoy traffic free cycling.

The good news is there are lots of ways to enjoy traffic free cycling in Cheshire East. In fact, we have some superb routes right on our doorstep.

Here’s our guide to the five best traffic free cycle routes in the area …

Middlewood Way

The Middlewood Way offers 10 miles of glorious traffic free cycling along the route of the former Macclesfield, Bollington and Marple Railway. You’ll share the route with walkers and horse riders – but if you’re looking for a ride to get away from it all, this is perfect. The route forms part of the National Cycle Network (Route 55), and there’s plenty of beautiful scenery to enjoy and wildlife to spot.

Start in Macclesfield in Cheshire East, or Marple in Stockport – or at many other points along the way including Middlewood, Poynton and Bollington.

The Salt Line

Another former railway line, this time the North Staffordshire Railway, makes up the hidden gem that is the Salt Line. The route is great for a short family bike ride and cuts through some lovely woodland and farmland. Look out for the Solar System Trail, a fun way to learn about the planets, and Borrow Pit Meadows which provides a great stop off point for wildlife spotters.

So why is it called the Salt Line? This part of Cheshire was once famous for salt making and salt works used to dominate the area. If you’re still hungry for more cycling there are plenty of quiet lanes and bridleways to explore nearby. Or why not link up with the nearby Wheelock Rail Trail …

Wheelock Rail Trail

The Wheelock Rail Trail is just north east of the Salt Line and follows the same former railway line. The path links Elworth and Malkins Bank near Sandbach and offers a great way to cycle away from busy roads. The trail is great for bird spotting and wildlife watching.

Connect 2 Crewe to Nantwich Greenway

The Crewe to Nantwich Greenway offers a quiet and scenic way to get between these two Cheshire towns. Coming from Crewe, the trail takes in Tipkinder Park and Queens Park before heading across the King George V Playing Fields and alongside Valley Brook. From there it’s out into lovely open countryside as you enjoy the ride away from the cars on the A530 Middlewich Road. The route is well surfaced throughout and is great for commuting or leisure trips.

Biddulph Valley Way

Six-miles of quiet, traffic free cycling awaits you along the Biddulph Valley Way – another disused Cheshire railway line that is now enjoyed by cyclists, walkers and horse riders.  The trail offers flat and well surfaced riding through scenic Cheshire countryside. There’s a lot to explore including the Dane-in-Shaw Pasture Site of Special Scientific Interest – where keen birdwatchers might catch a glimpse of a green woodpecker or a kingfisher. The Biddulph Valley Way is part of National Cycle Network Route 55 which eventually aims to link Ironbridge in the Midlands to Preston in Lancashire via Staffordshire and Cheshire.

For more information on each of the above routes visit Travel Cheshire’s cycling pages.