The Bay Cycle Way

What is the Bay Cycle Way?

The Bay Cycle Way is a long-distance cycling route which covers 81 miles of awe-inspiring sea, sand, mountains and sky as you pootle around an amphitheatre of ever-changing views. From the coast of Cumbria into Lancashire, this route packs in everything from industrial heritage to nature gems with incredible 360 degree views to the Lake District fells and out to sea.

Developed in close partnership with Sustrans, the Bay Cycle Way is part of the National Cycle Network (NCN 700) and connects Walney Island near Barrow-in-Furness to Glasson Dock just south of Lancaster. This relatively flat route is one of many long-distance cycle routes that cross Cumbria into Lancashire and beyond, linking with the Way of the Roses, Walney to Wear and Coast to Coast.

The route skirts the coastline around the Bay, between the sands and saltmarsh and the outer edges of the Lake District National Park with views to the Cumbrian fells, and as you cycle towards Lancashire, you'll glimpse the hills of the Yorkshire Dales National Park too.

How hard is it to ride and what’s the traffic like?

This is a beautiful route with some long flat sections along coast and canal tow paths with the majority of the route on quiet lanes or traffic-free tracks.

There are a few very short sections on busier roads but there is usually an option to get off and push your bike along the pavement if that’s what you prefer.

There are some moderately hilly sections with one ‘steep’ section at Bigland Hill between Grange-over-Sands and Greenodd. The views however on this part of the route are completely magnificent, and the ‘wind in your hair’ experience is a massive reward, particularly when you know there is a 'top notch' selection of teashops and cafes awaiting you.

How many days does it take to complete the route?

You can easily split the route up to cycle as many miles as you think you can manage in a day.

Most people enjoy the route comfortably over 3 days which averages between 25 and 30 miles a day, allowing plenty of time to soak up the views, take ample coffee breaks or explore some of the cultural sites such as Birkrigg Stone Circle or the Budhist Temple near Ulverston.

If you are ‘cycling fit’, two days is more of a challenge but if you want to visit the sites and soak up more of the culture and heritage of the place, why not just pootle along the route over 4 or even 5 days – it’s not a race!