10 of the best Suffolk cycle routes
Nothing beats a biking holiday, especially when you’ll be cycling through somewhere as scenic as Suffolk.
We love a bike ride here at Stay in Suffolk, and we’re fortunate enough to be surrounded by some truly excellent cycle routes, from quick and easy loops to long trails requiring skill and dedication.
If you’re thinking of planning a cycling holiday or spending a day of your trip on two wheels, let us offer our recommendation for cycle routes in Suffolk. Whether you’re cycling with kids or your friends, there’s a picturesque bike route for every age and skill level here.
Family-friendly cycle routes
These five bike routes are perfect for the whole family! From super quick circuits ideal for younger children to slightly longer but still easy trails that bigger kids will enjoy, these cycle routes make for a lovely family bike ride.
Walberswick to Southwold – 5.5 miles / 8.9 KM
Lovers of pretty towns will adore this cycle route! Taking you from calm Walberswick with its scenic sand and shingle beach to vibrant Southwold with its quintessential seaside charm, this route is a must for families exploring Suffolk. There is very little road cycling on this route, and you’ll get to ride across the footbridge over the River Blythe. There is an alternative section on the route that takes you along a riverside cycle track instead of some road, if you’d prefer.
Alton Water Park Circuit – 7 miles / 11 KM
This cycling route takes you around Alton Water Park, a reservoir home to thousands of water birds and other diverse wildlife. This beautiful landscape is a perfect example of classic Suffolk countryside and woodlands.
When cycling, don’t miss the Tattingstone Wonder, a ‘tower’ built in the 1700s. The local squire, Edward White, wanted a nicer view from his home, so he had the tower built to look like a church – in reality, it’s just three walls and completely backless. This quiet route through the Shotland Peninsula makes for a short, peaceful and relaxing ride for your family.
Ipswich to Woodbridge – 11.1 miles / 17.9 KM
Cycle from the large and bustling county town of Ipswich to the quiet and picturesque town of Woodbridge on this easy route. This trail will take your family through the vibrant Suffolk countryside on mostly asphalt surfaces to ensure a nice, smooth journey. Some of the route is on-road, so it’s essential that any children with you understand and respect road rules. Use this bike ride as an opportunity to explore Ipswich’s city-like centre and the historical sites of Woodbridge.
Rendlesham Forest to Shingle Street – 12.5 miles / 20 KM
This route gives you a proper taste of several Suffolk landscapes, from the beach to the woods. You’ll start in Rendlesham Forest (world-famous for its UFO sighting in 1980), cycle through the countryside towards The Suffolk Punch Trust, then head to Shingle Street, a small, peaceful, and picturesque coastal hamlet. Once you’ve had your fill of the beach, you’ll continue the cycle circuit back to the forest through fields.
We highly recommend doing the Rendlesham Forest UFO trail first to discover the site of the UFO sighting in the trees, and stopping for a while at The Suffolk Punch Trust to meet the giant work horses our county is known for!
Dunwich and Minsmere Loop – 15.6 miles / 25.1 KM
A lovely, easy touring route, you’ll enjoy a smooth journey through the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Beauty on your ride from Dunwich to Minsmere and back. You’ll cycle through forests and open heathland, with lots of scenic sights to see, including bird-filled reed beds, the coastline, and the ruins of Greyfriars Priory in Dunwich. There are a few roads to navigate, so make sure you and the kids are vigilant.
Intermediate cycle routes
Not necessarily challenging, but a little too long or tricky for most children to actually enjoy, these routes are best tackled by adults and bike-confident older kids.
Snacks at Snape – 33.3 miles / 53.6 KM
Long but lovely, this route takes you from Kesgrave, through Woodbridge, Melton, and charming rural spots, across the varied Suffolk countryside and over streams, all the way to the truly striking Snape Maltings. This renowned site is made up of several stunning 19th-century industrial buildings, now housing shops, eateries, galleries, and theatre spaces.
Snape Maltings is set on the bank of the River Alde, surrounded by marshes rich with flora and fauna, and sits in an Area of Outstanding Beauty. It’s the perfect place to stop, explore, get a bite to eat, and take in nature. You’ll then head back towards Kesgrave through Rendlesham Forest and then Woodbridge once more.
Lavenham to Thaxted – 34 miles / 54.7 KM
Ideal for a full day of riding, or two days when taking it a bit more leisurely, this route connects two of Suffolk’s most beautiful and well-known towns while taking you through a third special town. You start in Lavenham, famous for its historic timber-framed buildings and Harry Potter filming location, before the cycle route takes you through Clare, one of England’s smallest and most picturesque towns. The route ends in Thaxted, boasting charming old architecture from the 15th century.
Bungay to Southwold Loop – 42.3 miles / 68.1 KM
A touring route along quiet country lanes and the rolling expanse of Suffolk’s countryside, this circular route takes you through the rural and picturesque Waveney Valley. Ride by marshes bursting with flowers and wildlife, along the gentle River Waveney, through lovely villages and towns, then stop in the famous seaside town of Southwold for some rest and refuelling before continuing the circular route back to Bungay.
Advanced cycle routes
Not for the faint of heart, these two Suffolk touring routes are for the avid cyclists or those looking for a weekend or more dedicated to cycling and cycling only!
The Suffolk Coast Cycle Route – 88 miles / 141.6 KM
This signposted route takes you on the perfect long-distance ride for two or three joyous days. Explore the incredible coast of Suffolk via The Suffolk Coast Cycle Route, taking you from Felixstowe to Lowestoft (or the other way around). You’ll pass by peaceful Orford and Orford Ness, the thriving RSPB Minsmere, and some of our best beaches, including Southwold and Dunwich. Enjoy traversing through the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and several gorgeous towns, including Aldeburgh, Framlingham, and Woodbridge.
Wolf Way – 248 miles / 400 KM
Ready for a serious challenge? Try the Wolf Way route, a proper adventure for passionate cyclists. At 248 miles, Wolf Way is no joke, but the result is an extraordinary tour of Suffolk’s best sights. This is a proper cycling holiday, each day taking you through new areas of Suffolk’s beautiful and varied landscapes, from the forests to the meadows to the marshes to the beaches.
There are several different versions of Wolf Way, suited to different times of year and with a few length changes. The main Wolf Way route is ideal for April to September, the Winter Wolf alternative is great for October to March, the Easy Wolf is a shorter option of 171 miles, and the Wolf Cub is just 60 miles and can be completed in one day.
Stay in Suffolk holiday homes for cycling trips
After a day full of cycling with the kids, your partner, or your friends, you’ll need somewhere comfortable to rest your tired muscles. We have a wide range of Suffolk holiday homes, all with their own character and features, so you’re sure to find one that suits your needs in the location of your choice.
If you’re looking for more cycling recommendations during your Suffolk holiday, whether that’s safe routes or bike hire centres, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team today.
