Cycling routes in Herefordshire and Powys

There are lots of trails, roads, and pathways on and around our three parks. With wonderful, flat family routes, stunning valley roads and steep punishing climbs for the hard-core road rider. Cycling in Herefordshire and Powys has some great biking choices!

There are routes directly from Discover Parks in Shobdon, Eardisland or Presteigne, ideal for an afternoon bimble. Alternatively, you can take your bike further afield and discover routes through black and white villages and along the rivers. There are mountain bike trails too as well as long distance routes if you like to challenge yourself.

If you’re looking to cycle Herefordshire, then all these routes, and many more in the area, are available on STRAVA. Alternatively you can email marketing@discoverparks.co.uk and we’ll send you a digital copy of the ones around our way!

Marches 3-Day Cycling 2nd-4th May 2026

This gruelling amateur cycling event is being sponsored by Discover Parks! Much of the action will take place around our three parks! Find out more about the Marches 3-Day

Book a holiday or bring your tourer, motorhome or tent to our parks and experience a mini Tour de France up close.

(image Visit Herefordshire)

Easy family friendly routes from our parks

If you’re looking to take a leisure ride with the family from either Arrow Bank, Pearl Lake or Rockbridge, here are few suggestions:

Pearl Lake Return – 6.5 km (4 miles)

A fairly flat ride from Pearl Lake that will take in the area around Shobdon. You can stop off and admire the village’s 14th century with views towards the historic Shobdon Arches. There’s just one climb, but plenty of stopping off places to catch your breath on the way up!

At Pearl Lake you can also cycle down to the airfield, or up to the Shobdon Arches and Church, You can also cycle up towards Shobdon Hill Wood.

Arrow Bank Return – 4.57 km (3 miles)

This route takes you from Arrow Bank in the village of Eardisland along the River Arrow and back. There’s a picnic spot en route where you can cool your feet in the river.

Rockbridge Return 6.05 km (just under 4 miles)

This is a fairly flat route taking in the historic market town of Presteigne. You’ll pass the Judge’s Lodging and St Andrew’s Church. You can double the distance with a cycle along Lechmore Lane.

You can then explore the backroads towards Stapleton and Kinsham once in Presteigne.

Medium routes from our parks

Discover Parks Circular – 40.18 km (25 miles)

This route takes in Arrow Bank, Pearl Lake and Rockbridge so you can start it at the park your staying at. It’s fairly flat and takes in some of the best views the area has to offer. With cafe’s, tearooms and pubs in Eardisland and Presteigne, you’re never far from a swift half or a slice of cake.

If you’re a seasoned cyclist you can add on another 10k on the Presteigne leg.

(image Visit Herefordshire)

Pearl Lake Return – 19.03 km (12 miles)

A mixed route taking in quiet lanes, a few downhills and a couple of good inclines. The ride takes you from Shobdon down to Pembridge and around.

Arrow Bank Return – 25.2 km (15 miles)

A quiet road ride in the main with just a few busier roads – but even they’re no too bad! You’ll visit Staunton-on- Wye and Pembridge where there’s plenty of coffee and cake options.

Rockbridge Return – 20.32 km (12 miles)

A great ride with just one quite challenging climb – but you can always get off and push at that bit! A really scenic trip taking in the villages of Whitton and Knill with it’s Iron Age hillfort. You’ll also pass through the hamlet of Beggar’s Bush.

Harder routes from our parks

Pearl Lake Return – 36.84 km (23 miles)

This is a route for more experienced cyclists. It takes in views to the Gospel Pass at Hay Bluff. The route will take your from Shobdon to Pembridge then on to Almeley and Eardisley. Eardisley is a great place to stop for coffee and cake.

Arrow Bank Return – 41.48 km (25 miles)

A fantastic ride that includes the quiet lanes around Croft Castle. It also takes in the villages of Kingsland, Eyton and Luston. The return is via Shobdon and Pembridge. Stop off half way at Kingsland.

Rockbridge Return – medium, fast and flat(ish)

This is a ‘there and back’ route with a counter-clockwise loop halfway round. You’ll pass the village of Knill and pass through Nash Wood with views to Radnor Forest and Burfa Bank.

Rides further afield

There are some great cycling routes in Herefordshire which may take a bit more planning but are really worth it.

Watkins Way

This takes in a whole heap of villages across the county. At 106 miles, it can be dipped in and out of – unless your very hardcore! The ride is named after Herefordian, Alfred Watkins who, in the 1920s, discovered ley lines. Watkins believed that certain ancient sites like stone circles, hill forts, churches, and standing stones, line up in straight lines across the landscape.

The Two Valleys

A nice route from South Herefordshire MP, Jesse Norman! A 35 mile ride that takes in the Golden Valley and the Wye Valley. It takes in Snodhill Castle just outside the village of Dorstone. Dorstone is really historic and you’ll also find Arthur’s Stone here, a Neolithic chambered tomb. There’s lots of great places to stop off for refreshment too!

Cider Circuit

Herefordshire is often referred to a ‘cider country’. It’s the original home of Bulmers Cider as well as Symonds Cider, Gwatkins and Inches. There’s a heap of artisanal cider producers in the county too. The Newton Wonder ride is a 49-mile loop which takes in local producers, black and white villages and plenty of coffee and cake stops.

Gravel, and forestry tracks

Many forests require cyclists to stick to the forest’s fire/gravel tracks (unless stated otherwise such as designated mountain biking trails), as is the case at nearby woodland, like Wapley Hill Fort and Shobdon Hill Wood. If tracks are your thing, take in the Whimble Loop in the Radnor Forest.

Planning a route that avoids main/busy roads

1. Avoid A-roads for extended periods. E.g. A44 running through Pembridge. As these are busy roads with higher speeds limits for cars. Especially avoid if there are children in your group. Luckily, where our parks are in North Herefordshire and Powys, there’s a smaller number of A-roads than in most other places in Britain.

2. B-roads can be okay, but some can be busier – so it’s okay to use them as roads to get you to the quieter roads. B-roads can be suitable for the swifter bike rides if you’re a seasoned cyclist.

3. Country lanes are the best roads to cycle on especially for families and beginners. They’re quiet, pretty and have slower moving traffic to decrease the stress and increase the feeling of safety. There are many of these type of roads in Herefordshire and Powys – suitable for the family cycling.

4. KOMOOT. The KOMOOT app is a free and is brilliant for planning exciting, safe and beautiful cycle routes. It also allows you to see routes others have shared and think are worth trying. You can set your difficulty level, how many hills, and the duration of your ride.

Stay at Discover Parks – your cycling hub!

North Herefordshire and the Powys borderland gives you unparalleled access to some of the best cycling routes around. Book a holiday or bring your tourer, motorhome or tent to our parks and experience great biking on your doorstep.

If you’d like to stay longer then why not consider a holiday home or lodge at one of our parks? Take a break whenever you want to, keep your bikes safely stored and get in the saddle more often!