The summer and early autumn months offer the ideal weather conditions for gravel biking — a thrilling, off-road experience for the adventurous cyclist. Initially gaining popularity in the US, thanks to undisturbed patches of rough terrain that stretch for miles, gravel cycling is a relatively new phenomenon here in the UK.
With the sport being such a recent addition on our side of the pond, you may be wondering where you can give gravel biking a try. Luckily, we’ve come prepared — bringing you the most beautiful gravel cycling trails across the country.
Using a seed list of gravel trails from around the UK, we analysed Instagram hashtags to determine which trails are the most heavily photographed, being shared online for their picturesque scenery and exciting courses. So, without further ado, let’s look at some of the most scenic gravel bike trails!
The UK’s Top 10 Instagrammable Gravel Trails
- The Downs Link, Winchester, South East England – 413,825 hashtags
In first place is the Downs Link trail, located in South East England. This gravel trail comprises 37 miles of off-road track through the beautiful Sussex countryside, following an abandoned railway line. As a relatively short trail, the Downs Link is ideal for an afternoon in the Great Outdoors.
Starting in St Martha’s Hill, near Guildford, and finishing in Shoreham-by-Sea on the West Sussex coast, this trail takes you through open terrain that covers mostly flat ground — making it suitable for cyclists of all experience levels. In total, there were over 413,825 hashtags promoting this gravel trail on Instagram.
- North Yorkshire Moors Ramble, Yorkshire, North England – 200,875 hashtags
Next in our breakdown of the UK’s most Instagrammable gravel trails is the North Yorkshire Moors Ramble, located in the North of England. This looping track is perfect for long weekends, spanning 199 miles of mixed terrains — including inclines, open stretches, and mediaeval flagstone paths. This trail is designed with experienced cyclists in mind and is expected to take around four days to complete.
The ramble starts and ends in the historic fishing port town of Whitby, providing friendly hospitality to get you on your way. We found 200,875 Instagram hashtags for this gravel trail — and it’s not difficult to see why. Along the route, you’ll experience breathtaking views of the surrounding Jurassic cliffs and the North Sea coastline, making this a ride to remember.
- Cannock Chase, Rugeley, West Midlands – 162,159 hashtags
This next gravel trail is perfect if high-speed endurance cycling is more of your forte. Cannock Chase is a short 74 km gravel track located in the Midlands. Mixing scenic forest paths and quiet country back roads, this trail suits all experience levels. It offers an excellent opportunity for those looking to prepare for bigger, more challenging tracks later in the season. Here, you’ll find a healthy mix of open flat stretches and exciting inclines, making for an exhilarating ride suited for those with busier lifestyles.
If you’re looking for a weekend away, the nearby Tackeroo Campsite offers free camping on Friday nights, making the Cannock Chase trail ideal for short cycling breaks with friends and family. We found that, in total, 162,159 Instagram hashtags have been used for this trail, proving its popularity amongst cyclists and budding photographers alike.
- The West Highland Way, Milngavie, Scotland – 152,524 hashtags
In fourth place is one of Scotland’s most beloved gravel cycling routes — the West Highland Way. This 96-mile track stretches between Milngavie and Fort William and takes you through the Scottish highlands, offering plenty of challenging terrain and scenic views.
Designed for the more experienced cyclists, this trail will take you across many landscapes — including loch shorelines, open moorlands, steep mountains, and open countryside. We found 152,524 Instagram hashtags for this location, proving its continued popularity with cyclists year after year.
- The Ridgeway, The Chilterns, South East England – 98,123 hashtags
The fifth most Instagrammed gravel cycling trail is The Ridgeway, found in Chiltern in the South East of England. Spanning across Britain’s oldest road, The Ridgeway covers over 87 miles of scenic open countryside that takes you past ancient hill forts and offers unrivalled panoramic views.
For experienced riders, this trail can be covered in just one day. However, for most cyclists, this will need to be conquered over a two-to-three-day trip at a more leisurely pace. In total, The Ridgeway has 98,123 Instagram hashtags — with many choosing to share this trail’s beauty online.
- Elan Valley Loop, Elan Valley, Wales – 66,259 hashtags
Next is the Elan Valley Loop, located in its Welsh namesake, the Elan Valley. This 50-mile loop offers stunning views of the local landmarks — including Devil’s Bridge, the Claerwen reservoir and the Victorian dams near Rhayader. You’ll start and finish the trail at Llangurig, near the head of the river Wye. You’ll pass Cambrian mountains and vast, open terrain along the route, providing a unique ride.
Due to the hilly nature of this trail, beginners are advised to proceed with caution and spread the journey over multiple days if needed. Those with previous experience will find the Elan Valley Loop challenging but not difficult. We found 66,259 Instagram hashtags for this trail in total, which isn’t a surprise — considering the rich landscape surrounding the gravel pathway!
- Kielder Forest, Hexham, North East England – 41,800 hashtags
In seventh place is Kielder Forest, located in the Northumberland National Park and just north of the village of Alwinton. This forest trail is the perfect setting for a weekend of challenging time trials and rugged terrain. The track runs through England’s largest forest, comprising 90% off-road routes. Choose between the 159 km trail for experienced riders or the shorter, slightly easier 59 km for those newer to gravel cycling.
Turn your trail into a weekend trip easily, thanks to its prime location, which provides access to multiple local hotels and camping options. We found 41,800 Instagram hashtags for this trail, undoubtedly due to the picturesque woodland setting.
- The Taff Trail, Cardiff, Wales – 19,256 hashtags
The eighth most beautiful UK gravel cycling circuit is The Taff Trail, stretching for 55 miles between the stunning Welsh town of Brecon and the modern city of Cardiff. On your route, you’ll traverse across a mixture of riverside paths, forest roads, and railway side tracks. Due to its diverse terrains, sturdier bike models are advised — particularly those with a reinforced suspension system.
There’s plenty to see along the way to Cardiff, from sprawling Welsh countryside to castles that have jumped straight out of a fairytale. We found 19,256 Instagram hashtags for this bike trail, demonstrating its popularity with cyclists of all experience levels.
- The Hebridean Way, Isle of Vatersay, Scotland – 13,160 hashtags
In ninth place is the second Scottish entry on this list, The Hebridean Way. Located in Scotland’s rural Outer Hebrides, this trail is truly unlike any other. Spanning 297 km across ten Scottish islands, this challenging route is ideal for a bikepacking trip with friends. You’ll start your journey on the Isle of Vatersay, finishing in the Butt of Lewis. Along the way, you’ll use ferries and causeways to island-hop as you head towards your final destination. On average, this trail takes between 5-6 days to complete, depending on experience level.
Due to its lengthy and challenging terrain, The Hebridean Way is recommended for experienced gravel cyclists looking for their next adventure. Overall, we discovered 13,160 Instagram hashtags for this unique cycle trail, which isn’t surprising, with such breathtaking scenery to be enjoyed at every stage of your journey.
- Pennine Bridleway, Derbyshire, North England – 4,433 Instagram hashtags
Last but by no means least is the final gravel trail on our list, Pennine Bridleway. This 186-mile behemoth will bring you through the iconic Pennine Hills, situated in the North of England. You’ll be treated to historic ruins and quaint, picturesque towns along the way. The route takes an average of five days to complete, making it the perfect challenge for an extra-long weekend with friends and family.
While this route is far from beginner-friendly, those with some prior experience in gravel biking will enjoy the twists and turns of this trail as it guides you through some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. We found 4,433 Instagram hashtags for this route, with many cyclists eager to share the sights with others online.
5 Expert Tips for Cycling on Gravel
If you’re new to cycling on gravel and unsure where to start, there’s no need to panic. We’ve gathered our top tips from our resident gravel biking expert — Joe Holden, Showroom Manager at Merlin Cycles — to help you enjoy this thrilling sport while prioritising your safety.
- Stay relaxed
Staying relaxed when gravel cycling is crucial for both safety and enjoyment. When you’re tense, your reactions can become jerky, increasing the risk of losing control on the unpredictable terrain. By staying calm and relaxed, you maintain better balance and are more attuned to the changing conditions beneath your tyres. This allows for smoother navigation through gravel and other uneven surfaces. Moreover, a relaxed mindset will help you conserve energy, enabling you to ride longer and with more focus. This is especially important for gravel trails, as many include sharp turns, inclines, and other challenging features.
Joe explains, “when it comes to gravel cycling, staying relaxed is not just about comfort; it’s also about control. Keeping a calm demeanour allows riders to adapt to the ever-changing terrain with finesse and confidence, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable ride.”
- Turn with your weight, not the handlebars
Utilising your body weight to initiate turns while gravel biking offers several advantages over relying solely on the bike’s handlebars. You can maintain better traction and stability by leaning your body into the turn, especially on loose gravel surfaces where sudden movements can lead to loss of control.
This technique allows for smoother transitions and more efficient cornering, as it engages the entire bike and uses natural momentum physics to your advantage. Additionally, using your weight helps to reduce strain on the bike’s steering components, prolonging their lifespan and reducing the risk of mechanical issues mid-ride.“In gravel biking, mastering the art of using your body weight to navigate turns is essential. By leaning into the corners, riders can maintain control and flow through varying terrains with precision,” says Joe. “This ensures that you have a more enjoyable and exhilarating experience on the gravel roads and minimises your chances of skidding out of control — which has the potential to result in injury.”
- Ease off the front brake
When you’re gravel biking, exercising caution with the front brake is vital to maintain control and stability on unpredictable terrain. Unlike on paved roads, where the front brake can be applied more aggressively for quick stops, gravel surfaces require a gentler touch. Using too much front brake on loose gravel can cause the wheel to lock up, leading to skidding and potential loss of control. Additionally, many gravel tracks include steep inclines and drops. Using too much front brake on a downhill can result in the bike tipping forward, leading to the possibility of hurting yourself. By gradually applying the front brake while distributing braking force to the rear wheel, riders can effectively slow down without compromising stability.
- Stay seated during the climbs
Remaining seated while climbing hills on a gravel bike allows you to be far more efficient with your energy usage during your ride. By staying seated, riders can better utilise their body weight to maintain traction on the rear wheel, preventing it from slipping on loose gravel surfaces. This also allows for a smoother pedalling motion, which helps conserve energy during prolonged climbs. “When tackling hills on gravel, staying seated is the name of the game. By remaining in the saddle, riders can maintain better control and traction, optimising their climbing efficiency while minimising the risk of wheel spin on challenging terrain,” Joe explains.
- Distribute your weight
Effectively distributing your weight is crucial in gravel biking for various reasons. Proper weight distribution ensures that tyres maintain consistent contact with the ground, maximising traction and stability on uneven surfaces. It’s essential for braking, too; by shifting weight towards the rear during braking, riders prevent the front wheel from skidding, enabling more controlled stops.
When descending, shifting weight towards the rear helps prevent the bike from tipping forward, maintaining balance and control throughout your ride. Additionally, leaning backwards assists in lifting the front wheel over any obstacles, reducing the risk of getting caught or losing momentum on uneven terrain.
Gravel biking made simple with Merlin Cycles
Are you ready to put your pedals to the test and get started on your gravel biking journey? At Merlin Cycles, we have a variety of state-of-the-art gravel bikes specifically designed to ride on uneven terrain without causing damage to the suspension, braking, or other bike components.
If you plan on taking on one of the more challenging trails on this list, we have the perfect cycling accessories to pack your essentials on an extended trip, including pannier bags and must-have helmets to keep you safe on any surface.
Methodology
UK gravel cycling trails were gathered from a seed list created by Liv Cycling. These trails were then used to search for hashtags on the social media platform, Instagram. Trails were ranked based on the number of Instagram hashtags they received. All data was collected in May 2024 and was correct at the time of writing.
I’ve just subscribed after seeing your Top 10 Gravel Trails post. Just wondering were I could get a map of the routes. I’m aware of the obvious i.e. WHW but the NYM I’d like to see the route if possible?
Hi Jamie,
For gpx files etc, the best place to get routes would be something like Komoot. They’ve recently added a huge bank of gravel routes and it’s a great way to find options. The Full North York Moors ride also features in a great articles on Bikepacking.com North York Moors Route