Discover Essex by bike 

Open up your travel horizons by getting on your bike, in the evenings and at the weekend and experience the Essex countryside, parks and coastline as you would never see by car. Cycling for leisure can save money on gyms and contribute towards better physical and mental health. Cycling for 30 mins per day can help reduce your risk of breast cancer, heart disease, depression and diabetes as well as being great fun.

You can also download our maps from the Where can I cycle section of this website.

Visit Essex have created five cycling routes passing through various locations in Essex. The routes provide the perfect opportunity to explore much of the county. A number of shorter alternatives are incorporated in each one of the routes for those simply wanting a few hours of pleasant exploration. The maps allow you to pick up the route at any point and follow it in either direction. All maps also provide information on places of interest and attractions to visit along the way together with accommodation and places to eat. However, please remember that these are recommended routes only, and those straying away from it will still find many equally rewarding alternatives.

The cake escape. The cake escape is encouraging Essex residents and visitors to grab their bikes and cycle through some of the most beautiful places in Essex. The cake escape combines a little exercise with exploration of the countryside and the best of local café culture.  

Map your own routes and plan your journey by bike:

Map my ride.

CycleStreets is a UK-wide cycle journey planner system, which lets you plan routes from A to B by bike. It is designed by cyclists, for cyclists, and caters for the needs of both confident and less confident cyclists.

Sustrans. Use their map to explore the National Cycle Network and find the perfect walking and cycling routes.