The 5 Best Family-Friendly Cycle Trails in the UK for Families Using a Kids' Bike Trailer
There's something special about rolling along a traffic-free trail with the family while your little ones watch the world go by from their own cosy seat behind you. A kids' bike trailer lets you ride together long before small legs can manage the miles, and it keeps everyone comfortable, shaded and snack-ready all the way.
The UK is brilliant for this. Our old railway lines have been turned into some of the flattest, gentlest and most scenic cycle routes in the country, which is exactly what you want when you're towing a trailer. Here are our five favourites, with the practical details you need to plan your day.
What makes a good trail for a bike trailer?
Not every path suits a trailer, so we look for a few things:
● Flat or gently graded ground. Old railway lines are ideal because they were built for trains, not hills.
● A firm, smooth surface. Tarmac and well-compacted gravel are easy going. Loose or rutted tracks make for a bumpy ride in the back.
● Wide access points. Trailers are wider than a bike, so gates and barriers matter.
● Places to stop. Cafés, pubs, toilets and picnic spots keep everyone happy.
1. The Camel Trail, Cornwall
At a glance:
● Around 18 miles one way (Padstow to Wenfordbridge)
● Mostly flat
● Largely surfaced
The Camel Trail is probably the UK's best-known family cycle route, and for good reason. It follows a disused railway along the Camel Estuary and through the wooded Camel Valley, with barely a hill in sight.
The classic family ride is the first stretch from Padstow to Wadebridge, 5.5 miles of flat riding with wide-open views of creeks and sandbanks. Wadebridge to Bodmin adds another 5.75 miles through shady woodland, and the Bodmin to Wenfordbridge section is the quietest of the lot.
Trailer tips: the surface is generally good, but parts of the Wadebridge to Bodmin stretch are unsealed and can get muddy after rain, so pick a dry day if you can. Stick to the Padstow end for the smoothest ride. There are toilets at Padstow, Wadebridge and Bodmin, and the Borough Arms sits right on the trail near Bodmin. In Padstow, treat yourself to a pasty or an ice cream on the harbour before you head home.
2. The Tarka Trail, Devon
At a glance:
● Just over 30 miles from Braunton to Meeth
● Flat and surfaced throughout
● Easy to ride in sections
The Tarka Trail is one of England's longest traffic-free cycle routes, named after Henry Williamson's classic Tarka the Otter. Devon County Council describes it as easy cycling, traffic-free and surfaced throughout, running along estuary sides and through wooded valleys.
You don't need to ride it all. Braunton to Barnstaple is about 6 miles, and Barnstaple to Bideford is about 9, with some of the best views of the Taw and Torridge estuaries along the way. Instow and Fremington are lovely places to stop for refreshments. The quietest, most peaceful section is Torrington to Meeth, which is about 11 miles.
Trailer tips: access points are often controlled by gates or posts, but our friends at Cycle Sprog note that they're usually just over a metre wide, which leaves enough room for a bike trailer. It's still worth checking your trailer's width before you go. Barnstaple has a station on the Tarka Line, handy if you'd like to ride one way and return by train.
3. The Monsal Trail, Peak District
At a glance:
● Around 8.5 miles from Bakewell to Wye Dale
● Compacted gravel
● Lit tunnels
If you want a ride with a bit of drama, the Monsal Trail delivers. It follows the former Midland Railway through limestone dales, over viaducts and through a series of old railway tunnels, four of which are long (300 to 500 metres) and lit during daylight hours. Kids love the tunnels.
The compacted gravel surface is suitable for most bikes, and the gradients are gentle. You can hire bikes at Hassop Station if you're coming from the Sheffield side, and Miller's Dale has a handy car park right beside the trail. Don't miss the Monsal Head viaduct and the waterfall at Water-cum-Jolly.
Trailer tips: the trail is shared with walkers, horse riders and wheelchair users, and it gets very busy on sunny weekends, so ride slowly and be ready to stop. Welcome to Sheffield suggests a scone or an ice cream at Monsal Head as a reward. Add lights or a flag so your trailer is easy to see in the tunnels.
4. The Cinder Track, North Yorkshire
At a glance:
● Around 21 miles between Scarborough and Whitby
● Gentle gradients
● Surface varies, so choose your section
For a coastal adventure, the Cinder Track is hard to beat. It follows the old Scarborough to Whitby railway along the North Yorkshire coast and forms part of National Cycle Network Route 1. The Whitby Guide highlights the 13-arch Larpool Viaduct, Robin Hood's Bay, Ravenscar and the woodland, rocky cove and waterfall at Hayburn Wyke. There are cafés and pubs in Scarborough, Scalby, Cloughton, Ravenscar, Robin Hood's Bay, Hawsker and Whitby.
Trailer tips: this is the one route on our list where it pays to be choosy. The surface varies, and the stretch between Robin Hood's Bay and Ravenscar is generally the roughest, with muddy patches after rain. Ravenscar also involves a steady climb. A better bet with a trailer is the improved section near Cloughton, where North Yorkshire Council's £700,000 upgrade added a smooth, free-draining surface between Burniston and Cloughton and removed barriers that restricted access. The Hawsker to Whitby end also has a better surface. Ride it as a series of shorter out-and-back trips rather than the full 21 miles.
5. The Bristol and Bath Railway Path
At a glance:
● Around 14 miles between the two cities
● Almost entirely tarmac
● Flat and traffic-free
If you want something smooth, the Bristol and Bath Railway Path is as easy as it gets. The Walk Wheel Cycle Trust reports that it is almost entirely asphalt and around 98% traffic-free, and it's flat all the way. That makes it a wonderful first outing with a trailer.
There's plenty to see. You'll pass sculptures along the way, and the steam engines at Bitton Station are a hit with small train fans. Bitton and Warmley stations make good places to stop, and Saltford has a pub for lunch.
Trailer tips: cafés along the path itself are limited, so pack snacks and drinks. In Bath, the route includes a busy industrial estate and a residential road, and Will Cycle notes that the towpath section can be narrow, so slow down and take it carefully with the extra width of a trailer. Starting at either Temple Meads or Bath Spa station makes getting home easy, with a train back for tired legs.
Top tips for riding with a kids' bike trailer
Towing a trailer is easier than most people expect, but a few habits make the day smoother:
● Practise first. Do a short test ride before your trip so you feel comfortable with the extra length and weight.
● Take corners wide and allow for the trailer's width when passing walkers or gates.
● Check the manufacturer's age and weight guidance. Always follow it. Cycle Sprog's guide to child bike trailers is a brilliant place to start if you're deciding what's right for your family.
● Keep passengers comfortable. Pack layers, sunscreen, snacks and a few favourite toys. Little ones can get chilly sitting still.
● Plan for breaks. Build in a stop every 45 minutes or so so everyone can stretch their legs.
● Check your bike. Trailers need a compatible hitch or axle fitting. A hitch adapter or thru axle can be hired alongside your trailer.
Hire a bike trailer for your next adventure
You don't have to buy a trailer to enjoy these trails. At Adventure Kit Hire, you can hire a kids' bike trailer for a weekend or a longer holiday, and try before you commit to buying. Our range includes the Burley Bee for one child or the double version for two, as well as the Burley Encore X, plus useful add-ons such as a hitch adapter and a thru axle.
If you're not sure which trailer is right for your family, get in touch and we'll happily talk it through. You can find out how hire works on our delivery info page, and browse more kit in our Family Adventure range.
Ready to ride?
Whether you pick the estuary views of the Camel Trail, the tunnels of the Monsal Trail or the smooth tarmac between Bristol and Bath, a traffic-free trail and a trailer are a winning combination for family days out. Choose your route, pack the snacks, and let the adventure begin.
Trail details can change due to maintenance or closures, so check the latest information before you travel
