Complete Library of Free Chester Cycle Route Maps

This map is centred on Chester but is gradually being extended to cover the wider area – essentially to where a leisure cyclist might want to travel to and from in a day. The information is ‘layered’ and features can be selected to show only those which are of importance to the person querying it. There are pictures of barriers which may create difficulties for certain categories of user who wish to avoid them. There are also indications of where the Campaign sees the need for (and is campaigning for) cycling infrastructure improvements and additions.

Intended Audience

• Leisure cyclists & commuters
• Those using ‘unconventional cycles’ (eg tandems and trikes) and those using wheeled mobility aids
• Councillors and Planners involved in ‘Active Travel’ promotion and Highways Department

Purpose

The purpose of the map is give additional information on routes to that which is normally available from other sources. In particular, it shows where cycle tracks/lanes are on-carriageway, road-side or off-road; whether tarmac surfaced and whether there are barriers to access for non-conventional cycles. The layer for ‘Aspirational’ improvement shows where we consider that infrastructural improvements are required on safety or connectivity grounds and which any future highways planning should take into account.

Further information about the map is available here:

Interactive Route and Access Map Information

Direct link to the map itself on Google Maps:

Interactive Chester Cycle Map

Produced by Sustrans, this detailed map of the Greenway includes details of destinations, access points, and cafes. This latest updated map also shows distances between key points on the Greenway. 

Intended Audience

• People living near the Greenway wanting to know where they can access it to form short walks
• Those wanting to integrate the greenway into commuting/ leisure trips
• People living near the Greenway and wanting to make better use of it

Purpose

• Encourage more people to use the Greenway
• Promote responsible use of the Greenway
• Encourage more people to live active lifestyles using the Greenway

Chester Millennium Greenway Map

Produced by the University of Chester and the Chester Cycling Campaign, this map shows off-road, quiet and segregated cycle routes in and around the city. University of Chester students will find it particularly useful in planning journeys between University sites, including Thornton Science Park, Kingsway and the main Parkgate campus. There are broadly four types of routes detailed on the map: traffic free, segregated cycle paths, cycle routes on road and those for experienced cyclists only. Each type of route is colour coded for easy identification. 

Intended Audience

• University students
• Those who know Chester well and want to find alternative cycle lane/ off road choices

Purpose

• To help university students get between Chester Universities sites on their bikes
• To show all the off road/ segregated routes in Chester

Chester Cycle Network Tube Map

This series of six maps has been produced by the iTravelSmart team. Each of these maps covers a particular part of the borough. The maps show suggested cycle routes, and give average travel times by bike between major destinations.

Intended Audience

• People working at the Countess of Chester Hospital/ Chester Business Park/ Deeside and looking for how they can avoid the busy roads near their workplace
• People looking to use a number of different non-car modes of transport to get around Chester, e.g. bus and then bike

Purpose

• Encourage commuters in Chester to switch from cars to other modes of travel
• Map active travel routes at key locations in Chester

Hard copies of the maps may be available in local libraries and Visitor Information Centres.

Chester Business Park Active Travel Map

Chester City Centre Active Travel Map

Countess of Chester Active Travel Map

Deeside Industrial Park Active Travel Map

Ellesmere Port Active Travel Map

University of Chester Active Travel Map

The ten maps indicates some of the safest routes around the city and into the city centre from residential areas in and around Chester.  Each of the different coloured routes is signposted with colour coordinated signs along the route.  

Intended Audience

• Tourists wanting to see Chester beyond just the city centre
• Commuters looking for a safe and fast way into town
• Young people looking for a safe route to cycle to school
• Chester residents who want to use their cars less but don’t know where to start

Purpose

• Help people to find their way around Chester
• Encourage equal access for all to Chester’s city centre

Below are details of each route with download links.

Black Route – Boughton Heath

Providing the villages of Boughton Heath and Huntington with a route through to Chester City Centre, the 2 ½ mile Black Route takes advantage of the canal tow path to lead riders into the city centre via Frodsham Street. The route passes by Christleton Road Shops, the Bishop’s Blue Coat School and Caldy Valley Nature Park.

Blue Route – City Centre

Providing a 2 ¾ mile circular loop around Chester City Centre, the predominately off road route is ideal as a leisure ride or a regular commuter route to work. Passing by Grosvenor Park, the River Dee, the Roman Walls, Chester Racecourse and the Shropshire Union Canal there are plenty of places to stop and enjoy the scenery.

Brown Route – Canal Towpath

The 8 mile Brown Route connects the villages of Waverton and Christleton with Chester City Centre and the University. Passing by some of the area’s key industrial and heritage features including the Victoria Mill in Waverton, the Lead Shot Tower, the Roman Walls, King Charles’ Tower, Watergate Tower, the Canal Basin providing an off-road route to the Zoo via the Pink Route at Caughall.

Green Route – Greenway

The 7 ½  mile Green Route runs between Mickle Trafford and Saughall. Most of the route follows the Greenway, an off-road route which continues past Saughall to Deeside and North Wales. The route passes Guilden Sutton, Newton, Hoole, Northgate Village, The University and Blacon.

Pink Route – Chester Zoo

The 3 ½ mile Pink Route provides a direct route from the city centre to Chester Zoo via Northgate Village, Newton and Upton. The route passes by the Northgate Arena, Northgate Ponds, Upton Library, Upton Heath Shops and near to Upton High School.

Purple Route – Westminster Park

Connecting Westminster Park and Lache with Chester City Centre, the 2 mile Purple Route takes advantage of the off road cycle path along Wrexham Road. The route to the city centre will take you across the Dukes Drive down through the village of Handbridge before heading over the Old Dee Bridge into Lower Bridge Street.

Scarlet Route – Hoole / Vicars Cross

The Scarlet Route links the city centre with Hoole (1 mile) and Vicars Cross (1 ¾ miles). The route takes advantage of the canal tow path, heading out past the Lead Shot Tower. As you leave the tow path at Hoole Lane Lock, follow the route left to Hoole Lane. The route splits here, follow the signs ahead for Hoole and to the right for Vicars Cross.

Silver Route – Blacon

Blacon is 2 miles from Chester City Centre. The Silver Route provides the Blacon area with routes to the city centre. The routes run from the shopping area on Blacon Avenue and from the library on Western Avenue using low traffic routes to the city centre, via the University campus on Cheyney Road.

Turquoise Route – Sealand Road

The 2 ½ mile Turquoise Route links the Greyhound Park with Blacon and the city centre (Northgate Street) via Sealand Road.  Excellent off road cycle paths along Sealand Road provide access to the Chester West Business Park, Sealand Road Industrial Estate and the Greyhound Retail Park.

White Route – Deva Link / Bache

The 2 ½ mile White Route provides excellent access to the retail and business parks located along Sealand Road for people living in the Upton, Newton and Bache areas. The route connects Blacon and the Bache areas to Chester Zoo via a combination of off-road and on-road cycle ways.

This somewhat outdated Cheshire County Council map shows the main NCN routes in and around Chester, including the Millennium Greenway.

Millennium Cycle Route Map

This series of maps has been produced to support the Bikeability cycling proficiency scheme. Bikeability maps grade each street based upon an assessment of the cycling proficiency required to cycle safely along the road. Streets are then colour coded accordingly. These maps can be very useful for those who are just learning to cycle or who have returned to cycling after a number of years not cycling.

Intended Audience

• Young people looking for a safe cycle route to school
• Chester residents who want to use their cars less but don’t know where to start
• Cycle tourers looking to find a safe route through Chester

Purpose

• Encourage young people to cycle more within their ability
• Promote Bikeability training
• Show how appropriate different roads are for cycling in Chester

NOTE: These maps are very large files with a great level of detail. Therefore they may render slowly on low powered computers. The files sizes are indicated as a guide.

Chester Bikeability Map (25 MB)

Northwich and Winsford Bikeability Map (16 MB)

Ellesmere Port Bikeability Map (24 MB)

This series of maps has been produced by the Chester Cycling Campaign with all members of the family in mind. The routes use quiet lanes, established cycle routes and canal tow paths wherever possible, except for some occasional short sections on busier roads. All rides are between 7 and 20 miles in length, and are suitable for families with children either riding their own bikes or riding on a trailer bike. Some rides include short off-road sections. The directions for these rides also include a description of a minor road alternative.

Intended Audience

• Families with young children
• Older people
• People who are less experienced/less fit
• People looking for a relaxed ride
• Not for those who want to cycle long distances at fast speeds

Purpose

• To help families/older people find appropriate cycle routes in their local area
• Encourage more people to join Chester Cycling Campaign

Full details and a description of each route are available on this website under ‘Popular Routes’ on our home page.

Family Route 1 – Dodleston Doddle PDF Map

Click to Download Dodleston Doddle GPX File

Family Route 2 – Manley Meander PDF Map

Click to Download Manley Meander GPX File

Family Route 3 – Hockenhull Hobble PDF Map

Click to Download Hockenhull Hobble GPX File

Family Route 4 – River Dee Round PDF Map

Click to Download River Dee Round GPX File

Family Route 5 – Capenhurst Caper PDF Map

Click to Download Capenhurst Caper GPX File

Family Route 6 – Backford Beat PDF Map

Click to Download Backford Beat GPX File

Family Route 7 – Zoo Circular PDF Map

Click to Download Zoo Circular GPX File

Family Route 8 – Burton Warbler PDF Map

Click to Download Burton Warbler GPX File

Using trains to travel to the start and from the finish points of your bike rides is a great way to explore lovely countryside further afield without resorting to the car. These leaflets, produced by the Chester Cycling Campaign, are part of a growing series of suggested rides incorporating a train journey to get to the start point. All local train companies will carry bikes free of charge, but some operators will only carry bikes free at off-peak times. Please check their web-sites for details.

Production of these leaflets has been funded by Cheshire East Council and the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership.

Intended Audience

• Train enthusiasts who also enjoy cycling will love this
• People wanting to enjoy country parks in east Cheshire.
• People who don’t own a car
• Those who travel along the mid-Cheshire line

Purpose

• To encourage the use of public transport to access cycle routes in Cheshire
• To promote various tourist attractions within Cheshire
• To help those who are reluctant to take their bikes onto trains
• To provide information about local stations

NOTE: These three maps are in the process of being revised in order to take account of some road layout changes.  New versions of these maps will be made available here in 2022. Meanwhile you may need to take extra care when following these routes. 

Rail and Ride Route No 1 – The Jodrell Jaunt

This 20 mile long route starts at Lostock Gralam Station. It then passes Jodrell Bank Visitor Centre and follows attractive country lanes around Knutsford before finishing at Mobberley Station. The route follows quiet country lanes but does occasionally cross several busy main roads.

Rail and Ride Route No 2 – The Tatton Trail

This 20 mile long route follows quiet country lanes but crosses a few busy main roads. Starting at Northwich Station, the route goes near the famous Anderton Boat Lift, before going near Knutsford and through the picturesque Tatton Park, finishing at Mobberley Station.

Rail and Ride Route No 3 – The Ashley Amble

This route is 25 miles long and follows quiet country lanes and cyclepaths. Starting at Ashley Station the route passes through Dunham Massey and Tatton Park, following attractive country lanes and cyclepaths round to Knutsford. It finishes at Knutsford Station.

Neston Cycle Town is a group of local people working together to support more cycling in and around the town. The group aims to encourage the many cyclists who use Neston as part of their regular rides to stop and sample its growing number of cycle-friendly cafés, pubs and restaurants.

Intended Audience

• Families and those interested in leisure rides
• Local residents and tourists in and around Neston specifically

Purpose

• To promote various tourist attractions around Neston
• To encourage people to take up cycling in and around Neston

Neston Circular Route 1

This first map is an excellent, detailed Sustrans map showing all cycle routes in and through the centre of Chester. It is colour coded, indicating both on-road and off-road, traffic-free routes in the city.

Intended Audience

• Local people wanting to know safe roads for cycling
• People passing through Chester on national cycle routes e.g. cycle tourers

Purpose

• To encourage people to use active travel to get around Chester
• To clearly indicate the location of quiet roads the national cycle network

Sustrans Chester Local Travel Map

This is the official Sustrans map of the local section of National Cycle Network Route 5.

NCN 5 Chester to Connahs Quay Map