The beautiful countryside and coastal landscape of North Norfolk offers numerous cycle routes and windy country lanes and challenging road routes to enjoy whilst on an active cycling holiday in the area. A cycling holiday is an inexpensive and environmental friendly way of exploring this part of England.

There are various types of accommodation available across the region that cater for cycling holidays; from B & Bs, guesthouses and hotels to campsites and self-catering properties. Perfect for a family or group of friends wanting an active summer holiday in North Norfolk.

The rolling arable countryside and coastal cycle paths are mostly easy going, with some mildly challenging parts and some of the cycling routes are on-road so caution is advised. There are Explorer Loops that link with or partly follow the North Norfolk Coastal Cycleway, with distances that vary from 6 to 30 miles which are perfect for beginners and occasional cyclists alike to enjoy this beautiful and breath-taking scenery at your own leisurely pace.

There are parts of the National Cycle Network that travels through Norfolk to King’s Lynn, from Norwich via Fakenham to link to the Norfolk Coast cycleway at Wighton that takes you to the coast and follows the North Norfolk Coast line to Holme and onwards to King’s Lynn. National Cycle Network Route 1 – from Norwich along The Marriott's Way links with the Norfolk Coast Cycleway at Wighton, and with Route 13 at Gateley, just south of Fakenham. You can see the East of England cycle map at www.sustrans.org.uk or pick up a copy of the Norfolk Coast Cycleway for £2 from most Tourist Information Centres along the route.

"Cycling around the Bittern Track" leaflet is available when booking rail tickets at Norwich or can be ordered directly from www.bitternline.com. The Bittern Line is a cycle friendly railway line operated by National Express East Anglia. The Line links Cromer and Sheringham with Norwich and the Norfolk Broads. It has a special map showing linear and circular cycle routes from its stations, using country lanes. Prior booking is advisable during the summer season for taking your bike on the train, as this is a very popular. There are also numerous bike hire companies that can be found locally if you need to hire bicycles, for the whole of your holiday or just for the day as a great outdoor activity for all the family to enjoy the North Norfolk countryside and coastal beauty.

There are a few tips for you before you get started:

Good Cycling Code

Take care when approaching walkers and disabled users – remember that some people may have impaired hearing or sight.
Take extreme care when crossing roads, particularly with children.
When crossing ramped bridges, do not attempt to ride over them. Walk alongside your bike and push it up the ramp.
Always be courteous and considerate to other path users.
Respect other land management activities, such as farming and forestry.
Keep erosion to a minimum, please stay on the path.
Please do not lean on the adjoining fences.
It is advisable to wear a helmet, appropriate clothing and carry a repair kit and lights.
Take care when cycling downhill.
Match your speed to the surface, your skills and to the presence of others.
Ensure that your bicycle is safe to ride.

National Route 1 (part of)

Ipswich to Hull via Fakenham

Through Suffolk, Norfolk and Lincolnshire National Route 1 follows the Fakenham to Harwich and Hull to Fakenham cycle routes passing through Norwich, King's Lynn and Lincoln. 

National Route 11

National Route 11 of the National Cycle Network will connect Harlow in Essex with Wigginhall St Germans (south of King's Lynn) in Norfolk via Cambridge and Ely. Harlow to Stanstead Mountfitchet and Waterbeach to Wicken are still under development, along with a link to Saffron Walden. The route is described here from Stanstead Mountfitchet to Wigginhall St Germans but is signed in both directions. Where no printed map is available for a particular section please use the Sustrans online mapping.

The route is open from Stansted Mountfitchet to Cambridge via Ickleton as far north as Waterbeach, and between Wicken Fen and Wigginhall St Germans. It is possible to stay on the National Cycle Network and avoid the gap in the route between Waterbeach and Wicken Fen by using a section of National Route 51 via Bottisham and Burwell.Read More ...

National Route 13

National Route 13 of the National Cycle Network will connect Tower Bridge in London with Fakenham in Norwich. Passing through East London close to the Thames, Route 13 then heads north from Tilbury to Chelmsford in Essex. After a stretch on National Route 1 (also part of EuroVelo 2) National Route 13 resumes at Colchester and continues north to rejoin National Route 1 just south of Fakenham in Norfolk. The route is described here from Tower Bridge to Fakenham but is signed in both directions. Where no printed map is available for a particular section please use the Sustrans online mapping.

The route is under development but there are many sections already open: between Rainham Marshes and Purfleet; alongside the Thames at Grays and Tilbury; through Basildon; from the outskirts of Billericay to Bures near Colchester; and from Sudbury to Coney Weston. The longest continuously open stretch is from Thetford to Fakenham. 

Regional Route 30

Regional Route 30 runs around the edge of Norfolk, sometimes shared with National Routes, with a high proportion of the route on roads. King’s Lynn Route 30 is shared with National Route 1 and the routes split just past Wells-next-the-Sea with the Coastal route continuing through Cromer and Great Yarmouth and into Lowestoft. From Lowestoft the route follows the Waveney Valley along the Norfolk/ Suffolk border passing through Beccles, where it rejoins National Route 1, then on through Bungay and Diss to join the Little Ouse Valley and National Route 13 near Thetford. The route continues through Brandon to link up with National Route 11 for the route back to King’s Lynn.

Regional Route 31

Regional Route 31 Beccels to Reedham. A route being developed from Reedham to Gt Yarmouth via Acle.

Regional Route 33

Regional Route 33 Felbrigg Hall to Aylsham via Bicking Hall. This route is to be extended from Aylsham via Marriotts Way to Reepham.

Guide To Cycling, Cycle and Walking Routes on the Norfolk Broads

The Norfolk Broads is a large area covering Norfolk & Suffolk. With so much to see, including some of the best wildlife you are ever to encounter, cycling or biking around the Norfolk Broads is arguably the best way to get around.

Thankfully, the Norfolk Broads is home to a vast array of cycling routes and trails for you to explore at your own pace.

Walking & Cycling in Broadland

An extensive network of paths and routes take you through woodlands, parkland, marshland, broads and heaths. The gentle nature of the countryside and less rain than some Mediterranean countries, means it is ideal for families and those that just love being outdoors. We have a range of guides to suit all tastes that are available free from our TIC.

For those wanting a greater challenge spend the weekend walking or cycling off-road along the Marriott’s Way and the Bure Valley Path. A distance of some 35 miles exploring the cultural and railway heritage of the area, it is a great introduction to Norfolk, and a little more challenging than you might think.

The Broads and surrounding countryside are the ideal place for cycling. Quiet roads, gentle slopes, beautiful countryside and fresh air, all combine to make cycling a real pleasure.

There are plenty of pretty villages within easy reach, with ancient churches, wind pumps, pubs, cafes and other attractions to enjoy. You can even make it to the nearby coast, with its rolling waves, dunes and beautiful sandy beaches.

Above all, there are stunning views of the Broads, with sails gliding across marshland fields, all beneath the spectacular skies for which the area is famous.

Bure Valley Cycle Route - Horning to Aylsham (87.4 KB)

A Broadland Church Trail - Broads Bike Trail

This tour of part of beautiful Broadland will take you through attractive villages and picturesque countryside. This tour is not suitable for cars as some of the railway crossings are closed to vehicles. There are many interesting churches and other attractions on the way which are well worth a visit. Please take great care when crossing the railway lines and cycling along the narrow lanes. Although the tour begins at the Church in Blofield it is designed so that it can be joined at any point.

Blofield Area Cycle Route - 10 Mile Cycle Tour (1.3 MB)

Blofield has a long history and was mentioned in the Domesday Book as Blawefelda. Although there is much modern housing it retains its historical character with a few 18th and 19th century houses. It is the home of Norfolk’s oldest Women’s Institute which was formed in 1918. To commemorate its 50th anniversary a village sign was made for Blofield showing the maple leaf of Canada and the red rose of Britain in reference to the founding of the organisation in both countries.

Blickling to Cawston - Broadland

The parish of Blickling is largely covered by the estate of Blickling Hall, an early 17th Century house owned by the National Trust. It is one of England's great Jacobean houses and is built in red brick. The ghosts of Anne Boleyn and Sir John Fastolfe are said to haunt the house and grounds. There are miles of attractive lakeside and parkland walks, and interesting features such as the sunken garden, dry moat, temple and orangery.

Horsham to Aylsham - 20 Mile Cycle Tour (914.9 KB)

Gt Plumstead to Acle - Broadland

Great Plumstead is thought to mean 'dwelling site near plums' and was mentioned in the Domesday Book. Bullaces or wild plums are found in abundance in the hedgerows of the 'Plumsteads'.

This was one of the many Broads created in the medieval times from peat diggings. When the water level rose in the 14th Century the area flooded and this left the large expanses of water which now form the Norfolk Broads.

South Trinity Cycle Route - Churches (1.9 MB)

Reedham Cycle Route - 12 Mile Cycle Tour

The tour of this beautiful part of Broadland will take you through attractive villages and picturesque countryside. The tour is not suitable for cars as some of the railway crossings are closed to vehicles. There are many interesting churches and other attractions on the way which are well worth a visit. Please take great care when crossing the railway lines. Although the tour begins at Reedham Quay it is designed so that it can be joined at any point.

Ringland Area - 13 Mile Cycle Tour

Marriott’s Way runs for 21 miles from Norwich to Aylsham along the former line of the Midland and Great Northern Railway and is named after the railway’s Chief Engineer. Attlebridge is a small village on the east side of the River Wensum.

It was known as Atlebruge at the time of the Domesday Book and lies on the old pilgrims way from Norwich to the Shrine of Our Lady at Little Walsingham. As you come into the village, the Attlebridge Church of St Andrew is on your right. The church dates from the 13th Century although some restoration was undertaken in 1864. There are a few brasses in the church including one to William, son and heir of William Ely, Baron of the Exchequer, of around 1520.

Mid Norfolk Cycle Routes

The route uses mainly quiet lanes with some short off-road sections and can be ridden ‘end to end’ or in parts, perhaps as part of local circular routes.

The route heads north out of Thetford, passing through the edge of Thetford Forest. It briefly joins the ancient Roman “Peddars Way” National Trail and then passes through the market towns of Watton and Dereham. North of Dereham the route takes in the pretty village of Gressenhall, with the excellent Gressenhall Farm & Workhouse Museum a short distance from the route. From Gressenhall the route continues northwards to join National Route 1 at Gateley, near Fakenham.

Norwich Cycling Map

The map shows the cycle network for the city and surrounding area, together with other important roads and landmarks.

It incorporates a section of the Sustrans National Cycle Network connecting through the centre of Norwich from Marriott’s Way in the north-west to Whitlingham Lane in the south-east (look out for the special red ‘Route 1’ signs).

The map will be particularly useful if you are about to make a trip to somewhere you haven’t been before by bike, or want to find a better route than one you’ve tried. Use the map in conjunction with a normal street map to look up your destination, then find the closest point on the cycle network and you’re away!

You may find you have alternative suggested routes shown, in which case you could try them both (e.g. on the outward and return journeys). You may even discover another route all of your own, in which case you may care to let the cycling officer know about it (see Useful Contacts) so that it can be included on the next edition of this map!

South Norfolk Cycling & Bike Trails & Routes.

These nine routes around South Norfolk offer something for every type of rider. There is also a handy tour map!

South Norfolk Cycling Tour Map (1.3 MB)

Credit for information supplied to  Broadland District Council, Norwich City Council, Broads Authority, Breckland Council,  South Norfolk Council