Cycling in Bristol

Get out and about on your bike and enjoy the landscape. Whether it's town or countryside you want to explore, you can ride as far as your legs will allow you. Cycle hire is available locally, please ask at reception for details.Bristol

YHA Bristol is an ideal base to explore cycling of all natures, family-friendly cycling, endurance cycling, mountain biking, and a burgeoning cycling culture.

For the family:

- Bristol Docks Loop - Cycle round the historic Bristol docks almost entirely off road passing the SS Great Britain and other iconic sites.

- Festival Way - from the M-Shed (500 yards from hostel) on an entirely traffic-free route to Ashton Court estate and beyond in to Somerset country side.

- Longer ride the infamous Bristol & Bath Railway Path, a green corridor, entirely traffic-free, runs for 16 miles between these two historic cities.

- The Bath Two Tunnels Cycle Route reach Bath via train or Bristol & Bath Railway Path and experience the longest cycle tunnel in Europe, over one mile long, and marvel at the motion sensor music that plays as you glide through.

Longer rides:

- Follow National Cycle Route 3 from the Bristol Centre in to Somerset, where it passes Chew Valley Lake and climbs upon the spectacular Mendip Hills.

- Follow National Route 4 over the old Severn Bridge in to Wales. Separated from traffic on the bridge you can feel it sway as you enter Wales, where the amazing riding is limitless.

- Follow the Kennet & Avon Canal beyond Bath to Devizes where you ride pass the famous Caen Hill Locks, 15 locks that run up hill in to the Wiltshire Country Side.

Mountain biking

- Just two miles out of the city are a whole network of purpose built mountain bike trails in Ashton Court and Leigh Woods. Hire Mountain Bikes there and even get an mtb skills lesson.

- Around Bath and on the Mendip Hills there are miles of flowing mtb single track to be enjoyed.

Other tips

- Pick up local city cycle maps and maps of the wider National Cycle Network from the Sustrans office, a five minute walk from the hostel.

- Visit cycle cafe Roll for the Soul, five minute walk, and soak up the growing Bristol cycling atmosphere.

- Come in July and take part in the many amazing events that make up the Bristol Cycling Festival.

- Train connections are excellent around Bristol if you too tired to cycle back.