Cycling UK has launched a new ready-to-ride long distance Great North Trail linking the Peak District to Scotland’s most northerly mainland points.

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Cycling UK unveils the Great North Trail running from the Peak District to John o’ Groats and Cape Wrath in Scotland.

The route is available to view online on the Cycling UK website, where you can find an extensive route guide and downloadable route files (GPX).

Liam and Heather Spencer riding along the Pennine Bridleway, part of Cycling UK’s off-road LEJOG route, at Walsden Moor near Todmorden, June 2019. The varied route offers something for everyone, from rugged mountain biking terrain to family-friendly canal paths.

The Great North Trail, which runs for 800 miles, has been created to answer a demand from cyclists for greater access to the countryside on routes largely away from traffic.

Heather Walker and Liam Spencer riding along the Pennine Bridleway, part of Cycling UK’s off-road LEJOG route, at Walsden Moor near Todmorden, June 2019. The varied route offers something for everyone, from rugged mountain biking terrain to family-friendly canal paths.

Around 98% of the Great North Trail is on bridleways, byways, cycle routes, unpaved roads and very low traffic minor roads.

It uses some existing established trails, such as the Pennine Bridleway and Cross Borders Drove Road, but extensive research has been carried out to link these through a network of trails, forest roads and abandoned railway lines.

Two mountain bikers riding at Kielder Forest, part of Cycling UK’s off-road LEJOG route, June 2019. The varied route offers something for everyone, from rugged mountain biking terrain to family-friendly canal paths.

Duncan Dollimore, Head of Campaigns, said: “We know that around a quarter of people who use the National Trails do so on bikes, yet only two of the 15 National Trails in England and Wales are fully open for cycling.

“We’ve created the Great North Trail because we recognised very little has been done to promote national off-road trails. For example, plans to extend the Pennine Bridleway to Scotland were published 20 years ago, but still haven’t been implemented.

Sophie Gordon and Hannah Collingridge riding part of Cycling UK’s off-road LEJOG route at High Cup Nick, Cumbria, June 2019. The varied route offers something for everyone, from rugged mountain biking terrain to family-friendly canal paths.

“And yet we know there is an appetite for more cycling access to the countryside. Off-road trails can be ideal for families to ride safely, away from traffic and city pollution.”

The route takes in some of northern England and Scotland’s most iconic spots of natural beauty, running through the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, Kielder Forest, Corrieyairack Pass, Loch Ness and Cape Wrath.

Cycling UK has been assisted in creating the trail by the Obscura Mondo Cycle Club’s work in creating a route from Glasgow to Cape Wrath called the An Turas Mor, Scottish Gaelic for “The Long Journey”.

The Great North Trail is also part of Cycling UK’s wider ambition to connect the National and Great Trails of England, Wales and Scotland.