The best traffic-free bike rides around Adur

Adur offers a good selection of traffic-free touring cycling routes, with over 40 options to explore. These range from easy coastal rides to more challenging routes through the South Downs National Park.

Yes, Adur has 14 easy, traffic-free touring cycling routes perfect for beginners or families. A great option is the Goring Beach – Beach Huts loop from Shoreham-by-Sea, which offers a pleasant 24.7 km ride along the coast with minimal elevation gain.

The River Adur Estuary is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and an RSPB nature reserve, making it excellent for wildlife spotting. Cyclists can often observe diverse wading birds like oystercatchers, snipe, lapwings, dunlin, kingfishers, plovers, and turnstones, especially during winter months. The section of the Downs Link along the River Adur near Shoreham-by-Sea provides expansive views across the tidal river and its floodplains.

Yes, many of the traffic-free routes in Adur are circular. For example, the Downs Link and Dyke Railway Trail Loop is a moderate 29.5 km circular route that combines historic railway paths with scenic landscapes. Another option is the Downs Link along the River Adur – West Grinstead Station loop from Southwick, a longer 51 km moderate loop.

Adur's routes offer several interesting landmarks. You can cycle past the historic Shoreham Toll Bridge, an important local landmark. The impressive Gothic-style Lancing College Chapel is visible from various points along the Downs Link. Further up the estuary, you can find the ancient St Nicolas Church in Old Shoreham. The Widewater Lagoon Beach Huts and Coastal Path also offer a picturesque stop.

The spring and summer months generally offer the most pleasant weather for touring cycling in Adur, with longer daylight hours and milder temperatures. However, the region's diverse landscapes, from coastal paths to the South Downs, can be enjoyed year-round. The River Adur Estuary is particularly good for birdwatching in winter.

Absolutely. Many routes in Adur provide stunning views of the South Downs National Park. The Steyning and Sompting loop from Shoreham-by-Sea is a moderate 27.2 km path that specifically offers views of the South Downs as it passes through rural villages.

The komoot community highly rates the touring cycling experience in Adur, with an average score of 4.5 stars from 216 ratings. Reviewers often praise the region's diverse landscapes, the tranquility of the traffic-free paths, and the opportunity to combine coastal rides with routes through the South Downs National Park.

Yes, for those seeking a challenge, Adur offers 7 difficult traffic-free touring cycling routes. An example is the Shoreham Old Toll Bridge – Downs Link along the River Adur loop from Lancing, a 40.4 km route with significant elevation changes, providing a rewarding experience for experienced cyclists.

Many of Adur's cycling routes are accessible from towns like Shoreham-by-Sea and Lancing, which have train stations on the coastal line. This allows for convenient public transport access to start and end points for various routes, including sections of the Downs Link and coastal paths.

Yes, many routes pass through or near villages and towns where you can find cafes and pubs. Coastal routes, in particular, often have refreshment options available. For example, routes starting or passing through Shoreham-by-Sea offer various amenities.