Map: Sustrans online mapping.

Sheffield to Penistone
Sheffield to Oughtibridge is still proposed along the Don Valley. From Oughtibridge to Penistone National Route 6 forms a part of the Trans Pennine Trail (Central) along the Upper Don Trail.

Map: RPN08B Trans Pennine Trail Central, ROS04 OS Tour 4 Peak District & Derbyshire and RBG18 Goldeneye Peak District all show Route 6 from the Rother Valley to Penistone including the section of National Route 67 which provides an alternative where Route 6 is proposed.

Penistone to Reddish
The route follows along the course of National Route 62 along the Trans Pennine Trail (West) over the Pennines between Penistone and Reddish (Greater Manchester).

Map: RPN08A Trans Pennine Trail West

Reddish to Bury
National Route 6 resumes at Reddish and enters Manchester via the traffic-free Fallowfield Loop Line and then on residential streets through Whalley Range into the city centre. Heading towards Bury the route follows much of the Irwell Sculpture Trail. For more information on cycling in Greater Manchester visit www.cyclegm.org

Maps: FC24 Cycle GM Map 8 Manchester and FC19 Cycle GM Map 3 Bury

Bury to Blackburn
Bury and Accrington are linked via on-road and traffic-free sections of the old East Lancashire railway path. Accrington to Blackburn follows the towpath of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

Map: Sustrans online mapping.

Blackburn to Preston
The route is still being developed here but exists from Blackburn to Pleasington Rail Station and resumes along the River Ribble from Samlesbury (near Junction 31 M6) leading into central Preston.

Map: Sustrans online mapping.

Preston to Kendal 
Heading out of Preston National Route 6 follows country roads through the Lancashire countryside to the Lune Estuary from where the Lune Estuary path follows the estuary into Lancaster city centre. North of Lancaster Route 6 follows the towpath along the Lancaster Canal to Carnforth, from where the route follows minor roads into Kendal.

Maps: Preston to Lancaster and Lancaster to Kendal can be downloaded or ordered from Lancashire County Council. ROS03 OS Tour 3 Lake District & Cumbria also shows Lancaster to Kendal.

Kendal to Keswick
Some sections of National Route 6 in Cumbria are still being developed. The route is currently open between Kendal and Windermere, continuing part-way to Ambleside following a gap through central Windemere. At Steel End at the southern end of Thirlmere the route begins again and continues to Threlkeld. From here Route 71 along an old railway path links the 4 miles to Keswick.

Map: ROS03 OS Tour 3 Lake District & Cumbria

The new Android app is now available to download from the Android Market.

Sustrans has now the released 'The complete National Cycle Network' app with which you can access over 25,000 miles of walking and cycling network across the UK, anytime anywhere. The free app is available to download from Android Market and the iTunes store and marks the first time the National Cycle Network has become available for mobile phones. Sustrans has created the app from their OS based online mapping facility and it has been specifically designed to help people make more of their everyday journeys on foot or by bike.

Download from the Android market: The Complete National Cycle Network.

Download from the iTunes store: The Complete National Cycle Network.

What the app offers

It includes 25,000 miles of route - including all 13,000 miles of award winning National Cycle Network and a further 12,000 miles of regional and local routes and links. Whether it is for picking your way through an urban metropolis to work, winding through the countryside for leisure, finding a traffic-free route to school, a challenging bike ride or a fun family day out, 'The Complete National Cycle Network' app has something for everyone.

All routes have been assessed and approved to be included in the mapping and are shown at a 1:10000 scale. It integrates with the public transport network and provides links to the Transport Direct journey planning website, making it easier to get bus and train updates from any location so you can plan longer journeys. The app also recommends routes for easy local travel as well as more long distance ones for leisure walks and rides.

The latest route developments and additions to the Network will be updated fortnightly and you can plan and save routes or share them with your friends. You can also record and keep a GPS track of your route as you walk or ride along and centre the map on your current location.

As well as a great travel tool, the app is also fantastic for everyday use to find out what your local area has to offer. The mapping highlights local grocery shops, schools, libraries, museums, sports centres and other local amenities, along with leisure attractions, places of interest and information on car clubs, bike shops and public transport. It also has a direct link to the Sustrans website where you can check out events, the latest sustainable transport news, and local walking, cycling and neighbourhood projects in your area.

The Complete National Cycle Network app FAQs

1. Will it be available for Blackberry as well as iPhone and Android?

Blackberry users can access the Sustrans website and online mapping. There are currently no plans to give more advanced access to Blackberry users.

2. Do users look at maps and work out their own route or can you input your current location and use postcode or pin to request a route? 

This app is not a routing engine or journey planner. It uses the same mapping we have on our website - but it also recommends rides, has GPS tracking, map centering, and the updates on route development. The Bike Hub offer a free route planning app which could be used for this purpose. This is also available to download from iTunes or Android Market.

3. What information is held on bike shops?

We display Association of Cycle Traders shops including name of store, location and link to their webpage.

4. Why aren't you charging for the app - Wouldn't this raise some revenue?

We want to encourage people to use the app and make more people aware of their local transport choices and the National Cycle Network, and a charge for downloading this app may discourage people from using it as there are other free mapping apps available. Also the revenue we would generate would be quite minimal compared to the opportunity to reach out to a wider audience and be a part of that marketplace, with something new to offer.

This app has been funded by the Scottish Government although we have put a small amount towards developing it. A specific grant was given to us to create this app and this is a different type of funding to the donations we receive from supporters, which we can use more widely to fund all aspects of our work.

'The complete National Cycle Network' app has been created by Isomaly and has been funded by the Scottish Government and Sustrans.

Map: NN8B Lôn Las Cymru North. See also NNP11 Lôn Las Cymru Pack.

Burntwood to Stafford
National Route 5 is still proposed between Burntwood and Weeping Cross (east of Stafford). For more details check the Staffordshire routes page and the Sustrans online mapping.

Map: Sustrans online mapping.

Stafford to Kidsgrove
National Route 5 comprises traffic-free and shorter on-road sections to Barlaston, and from here follows greenways through the centre of Stoke-on-Trent on canal towpaths and disused railways.

Map: A free Stoke-on-Trent & Newcastle-under-Lyme cycling map can be downloaded or ordered from Cycle Stoke.

Kidsgrove to Chester
The route to Chester connects Kidsgrove with Winsford, Northwich, Frodsham and Chester via on-road and traffic-free sections.

Map: A map and guide to National Route 5 in Cheshire can be downloaded from Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Chester to Bagillt
A popular traffic-free route takes National Route 5 out of England into Wales.

Map: FPT09 East Flintshire. Download East Flintshire (Flint - Chester) (pdf). For the NCN in Wales also see Routes2Ride Wales.

Bagillt to Prestatyn
National Rout 5 is currently signed along an inland on-road route between Flint and Prestatyn via Gorsedd and Gronant. A traffic-free coastal route is proposed.

Map: Sustrans online mapping.

Prestatyn to Abergele
Mainly traffic-free sea-front cycling between classic north Wales seaside towns. A new section at Rhyl uses the Rhyl bridge, Foryd Harbour.

Map: FPT05 Sir Ddinbych Denbighshire. Download Sir Ddinbych Denbighshire (Rhyl - Prestatyn) (pdf).

Abergele to Llanfairfechan
The coastal traffic-free route passing through Colwyn Bay and Rhos-on-Sea continues to Conwy via an on-road section before returning to the traffic-free sea-front route. A longer, predominantly traffic-free spur goes to Conwy via Llandudno.

Map: Download Conwy County Borough (Llanfairfechan - Kinmel Bay) (pdf).

Llanfairfechen to Holyhead
The final leg of National Route 5 is predominantly on-road along the coast to Bangor and then on-road across Anglesey to Holyhead.

Map: NN8B Lon Las Cymru North

The route is described here from London to Fishguard but is signed in both directions. Where no printed map is available for a particular section please use the Sustrans online mapping.

Central London: Greenwich to Putney Bridge
National Route 4 starts or finishes at Greenwich. The route through central London follows the River Thames as closely as possible through to Putney Bridge using both the north and south side of the Thames. Future proposed alignments direct the course of the route mainly along the south side of the Thames. Central London via Bristol to Chepstow also forms part of EuroVelo 2.

Map: London Cycle Guides Map 7 – order for FREE from Transport for London.

Putney Bridge to Reading
From Putney Bridge the route loosely follows the River Thames, passing through Richmond Park and Windsor Great Park. This section of Route 4 is also known as the Thames Valley cycle route; at Reading the Thames Valley cycle route continues to Oxford on National Route 5 whilst Route 4 continues west.

Map: NN5A Thames Valley. RMC02 Thames Valley Cycle Map covers Route 4 between Weybridge and Great Bedwyn.

Reading to Great Bedwyn
From Reading National Route 4 follows the Severn & Thames cycle route, also know as the Kennet & Avon Cycle Route between Reading and Bath, through Newbury and Hungerford to Great Bedwyn, with most of the Reading to Newbury section on the Kennet & Avon Canal towpath.

Map: RMC02 Thames Valley Cycle Map 

Great Bedwyn to Bristol
Route 4 continues to Bristol via Devizes and Bath - follow Route 403 for an alternative option via Marlborough and Chippenham - taking the Kennet & Avon canal towpath between Devizes and Bath and then the Bristol & Bath Railway Path to Bristol.

Maps: RMC01 Severn & Thames Cycle Map shows Route 4 between Great Bedwyn and Chepstow.

Bristol to Chepstow
National Route 4 climbs out of Bristol via Clifton Down, Westbury-on-Trym and Aust. A highlight of this section is crossing the River Severn high on the Severn Road Bridge. Bristol to Fishguard also forms part of EuroVelo 1.

Maps: RMC01 Severn & Thames Cycle Map shows Route 4 between Great Bedwyn and Chepstow. FPR09 Bristol Cycling Map and FPR11 South Gloucestershire Cycling Map cover Bitton to Chepstow.

Chepstow to Swansea
In Wales, National Route 4 forms the main option of the Celtic Trail East cycle route passing through Newport, Caerphilly, Pontypridd and Port Talbot, on the way to Swansea.  Large parts of the Celtic Trail East are traffic-free.

Map: NN4B Celtic Trail East. For the NCN in Wales also see Routes2Ride Wales.

Swansea to Fishguard
Heading west from Swansea the Celtic Trail West cycle route features two large traffic-free sections, the Millennium Coastal Park near Llanelli and the Brunel Trail along a disused railway between Pembroke and Haverfordwest. The rest of the route can be hilly but rewards the cyclist with stunning coastal scenery.

Map: NN4C Celtic Trail West

Maps: Explore Kent by Bike and Goldeneye Kent show Route 1 and other routes in Kent. TFL free cycle maps covering NCN and other routes in London are also available. For details of further maps covering the route take a look at Garden of England cycle route page and the online mapping.

London to Ipswich
The route heads out of London from Greenwich in a northerly direction along the Lea Valley cycle route into Hertfordshire. From Harlow the route through Essex takes you via Chelmsford and Colchester into Suffolk to Ipswich. London to Harwich also forms part of EuroVelo 2.

Maps: Check the Essex and Suffolk route pages and the online mapping.

Ipswich to Hull via Fakenham
Through Suffolk, Norfolk and Lincolnshire National Route 1 follows the Fakenham to Harwich and Hull to Fakenham cycle routes passing through Norwich, King's Lynn and Lincoln.

Map: NN1A Hull to Fakenham. Please check the Norfolk and Lincolnshire pages and the online mapping for further maps.

Hull to Hunmanby
This section passes through the East Riding of Yorkshire: through Beverley, Driffield and Bridlington to Hunmanby, south of Scarborough.

Map: NN65B Yorkshire Wolds, York and Hull

Hunmanby to Middlesbrough
This mainly coastal route is currently open and signed between Hunmanby and Whitby via Scarborough, and between Staithes and Middlesbrough via Redcar. An alternative route between Whitby and Middlesbrough is available by following Regional Route 52 to Rudby and National Route 65 to Middlesbrough which is fully open and signed.

Map: NN65A Yorkshire Moors and Coast showing both route options between Whitby and Middlesbrough available from spring 2012.

Middlesbrough to Tynemouth
A series of traffic-free routes and short on-road sections connect Middlesbrough and Tynemouth via Seaham and Sunderland and form the Three Rivers cycle route. National Route 1 uses many of these sections and runs north - south close to the coast.

Map: NN14 Three Rivers

Tynemouth to Edinburgh
Also known as the Coast & Castles South cycle route, National Route 1 hugs the coast between Tynemouth and Berwick-upon-Tweed via Blyth and Bedlington, heading inland to Edinburgh via Melrose. National Route 76 provides an alternative coastal option between Berwick-upon-Tweed and Edinburgh. 

Map: The entire section is shown on NN1C Coast & Castles South. For the NCN in Scotland also see Routes2Ride Scotland.

Edinburgh to Aberdeen
The Edinburgh to Aberdeen, or Coast & Castles North, cycle route crosses both the Forth and Tay rivers and passes through St. Andrews and Dundee.

Map: NN1D Coast & Castles North

Aberdeen to Shetland Islands (via John o'Groats and Orkney Islands) 
The most northerly sections of the National Cycle Network are on the Aberdeen to the Shetlands cycle route passing through wild mountains and along rugged coastlines via Banff, Inverness, Lairg, Tongue and Thurso. Aberdeen to Inverness also forms part of EuroVelo 1 

Map: NN1E Aberdeen to Shetland

Many sections of the route are fully open and signed but much is still under development, please check text below and the online mapping for details. The route is described here from Dover to St. Austell but is signed in both directions.

Dover to Hastings
National Route 2 starts or finishes in Dover following a cliff top route to Folkestone and crossing Romney Marsh to Lydd and Rye.

Map: Explore Kent by Bike and Goldeneye Kent show Route 2 and other routes in Kent. For details of maps covering the route take a look at the Garden of England cycle route page.

Hastings to Brighton
The route between Hastings and Brighton is a part of the Downs and Weald cycle route. The route runs mainly along the coast but heads inland between Pevensey and Seaford to avoid the South Downs.

Map: Goldeneye Sussex and South Surrey shows Route 2 from Hastings to Emsworth. Please check for open sections on the Sussex routes page and online mapping.

Brighton to Worthing
National Route 2 continues west of Brighton to Worthing via Shoreham.

Maps: Goldeneye Sussex and South Surrey shows Route 2 from Hastings to Emsworth. Please check for open sections on the Sussex routes page and online mapping.

Worthing to South Mundham
National Route 2 in West Sussex is still being developed and currently open sections exist between Littlehampton and Bognor Regis only.

Map: Check for open sections on the Sussex routes page.

South Mundham to Christchurch
Short unopen sections exist through central Portsmouth; south of Southampton; out of Brockenhurst (New Forest), and within Christchurch but otherwise Route 2 is continuous across Hampshire.

Map: Goldeneye Hampshire. Check for newly opened sections on the Hampshire routes page and online mapping.

Christchurch to Lyme Regis
Along Bournemouth seafront and over on the Poole Harbour ferry, National Route 2 continues to the east of Dorchester and then begins again on the west of Dorchester to Raymond’s Hill, north of Lyme Regis.

Map: Details of open sections and maps are on the Dorset routes page.

Lyme Regis to Dawlish
The strand of Route 2 from Raymond's Hill to Lyme Regis is not yet open, so Regional Route 52 [details on Devon page] provides a link to rejoin Route 2 the other side of Lyme Regis. Route 2 then continues through Seaton, Sidmouth and circumnavigates the Exe Estuary via Exeter to Dawlish.

Map: ROS05 Tour 5 Devon & Somerset West. 

Dawlish to Plymouth
The proposed Route 2 via Newton Abbot is under development so Route 2 restarts at Totnes and continues via a moorland route through Ivybridge to Plymouth. A coastal alternative route from Totnes to Plymouth is fully open as far as Malborough near Salcombe. 

Map: ROS05 Tour 5 Devon & Somerset West or NNP30 Goldeneye Devon Pack [Exmoor and Dartmoor]. Check for further details of open sections and maps on the Devon page and the online mapping.

Plymouth to St. Austell
The main Cornish section of the route will link the Cremyll Ferry in Plymouth with Lostwithiel via Looe and on to St. Austell. At present this section is only open between Par and St Austell.

Map: ROS05 Tour 5 Devon & Somerset West and Clay Trails leaflet.  Also check for route development news on the Cornwall page.

Much has been surveyed and is rideable already and, though the final line is yet to be agreed throughout, short sections in the Leicester and Cirencester areas are already waymarked. The biggest remaining difficulty remains crossing the A52 in Nottinghamshire which will probably not be resolved for at least 6 years.

Open Sections: Oban to Campbeltown is open and signed as a mainly on-road route but also includes a traffic-free section along The Crinan Canal towpath.

Fort William to Fort Augustus is open and signed and mainly traffic-free along the Caledonian Canal. This part of the route also forms the first part of the Great Glen Way.

For information on open sections between Oban and Fort William see the new Oban to Fort William Walking and Cycling leaflet (8.9MB).

Maps and leaflets for this route are detailed below the map:

Maps and leaflets:

Campbeltown to Oban is covered on the Sustrans NN78 Oban to Campbeltown cycle route map.

Fort William to Fort Augustus is covered on Stirling Surveys Great Glen Way Walk and Cycle Route map and on Harvey's Great Glen Way. These maps also show the mountain bike route between Fort Augustus and Inverness on the north shore of Loch Ness which is not a part of National Route 78.

Open Sections: The route is open and signed between the edge of Maidenhead and Watford and between St. Albans and Rye House Station (Hatfield to Welwyn Garden City is also signed as National Route 12).
Between Watford and Chiswell Green the route is open and signed as both National Route 6 and 61.

Maps and leaflets for this route are detailed below the map: 

Maps and leaflets:

Maidenhead to Slough and Langley is mapped on the free The Jubilee River & Slough Linear Park map available from Sustrans, tel: 0845 113 0065 or download (pdf)

For more information on the section of route between Uxbridge and Colnbrook please contact the Colne Valley Park.

Rickmansworth to Watford is mapped on the free The Ebury Way map.
Download from Watford Borough Council.

St. Albans to Hatfield is mapped on the free The Alban Way map.
Download from St. Albans Cycle Campaign.

Hatfield to Welwyn Garden City is mapped on the free The Great North Way map.
Download from The Great North Way website.

Welwyn Garden City to Ware is mapped on the free Cole Green Way map.
Download from Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council.

The maps covering St. Albans to Ware are also available from Pedal Point in paper format.

Open Sections: The route is now open and signed between Reading and Alresford and Alton via Basingstoke. All of the route between Cowes and Sandown via Newport on the Isle of Wight is open and signed. There are also smaller open sections between Eastleigh and Southampton.

Maps and leaflets available for this route are detailed below the map:

Maps and leaflets:

Reading to Basingstoke is mapped on the free Reading to Basingstoke leaflet (out of print - available to download only).

Basingstoke to Alton or Alresford is mapped on the free Basingstoke to Alton and Alresford leaflet available from Sustrans, tel: 0845 1130065 or download.

Open sections of National Route 23 within Southampton are mapped on the free Southampton Bike Guide. Download from Southampton City Council.

Cowes to Sandown is mapped on the Ordnance Survey Landranger Map sheet 196 The Solent & Isle of Wight (also shows the Round the Island cycle route - Regional Route 67).

Open sections: The route is open and signed between Dundas Aquaduct and Frome as the Colliers Way.

Between Sutton Veny and Wilton the route is open on quite roads in the Wyle Valley.

The next open section is between Alderbury (south east of Salisbury) and Mottisfont Abbey, mainly on quiet roads.

The route currently continues from just outside of Romsey to Eastleigh mainly on traffic-free paths.

Frome's Missing Link

A petition has been set up to support the extension of the Colliers Way from Great Elm along the railway route into Frome town centre. Find out more at www.fromesmissinglink.org.uk

Maps and leaflets for this route are shown below the map.

Maps and leaflets:

Dundas Aqueduct to Frome is covered on Colliers Way leaflet available from Sustrans, tel: 0845 113 0065 or download.

Sutton Veny to Wilton is mapped on the Ordnance Survey Landranger Map sheet 184 Salisbury & The Plain.

Open Sections: The route is currently open and signed between Whiteabbey and Newry via Belfast, Lisburn, Craigavon, Portadown and Scarva.

Maps and leaflets available for this route are detailed below map.

Maps and leaflets:

Whiteabbey to Craigavon is a part of the Belfast to Ballyshannon cycle route and is shown on the Sustrans NN9B Belfast to Ballyshannon cycle route map.

Portadown to Newry is shown on the free Newry Canal Towpath leaflet,  or call Sustrans Northern Ireland: 028 9043 4569.

Maps and leaflets for this route are detailed below the map:

Maps and leaflets

Chester to Neston is available to download from the Cheshire West and Chester website.

Neston to the Mersey Ferry is mapped on the free "Cycle Wirral!" map available from Wirral BC, tel: 0151 6062369

Liverpool to Childwall is mapped on the free "National Cycle Network Route 56" map available from Liverpool City Council, tel: 0151 233 2000 or download from the Liverpool City Council website. This route is also a part of the Trans Pennine Trail (west) cycle route.

Open Sections: The route is open and signed between Ironbridge and Telford (Donnington) on the mainly traffic-free Silkin Way and continues on road to Lilleshall.

There is a short section open from near Haughton on a traffic-free disused railway route into central Stafford.

The route is open between Barlaston and Hanley as a part of National Route 5. The route continues as National Route 55 northwards to Congleton.

The Middlewood Way is an open traffic-free section of the route between Macclesfield and Marple.

Eccles to Walkden is open on the Bolton branch of the route.

On the Wigan branch Standish - Adlington is open along with some traffic-free sections in the Chorley area extending into Preston.

Maps and leaflets for this route are shown below the map.

Maps and leaflets:

Ironbridge to the Lilleshall is covered on the free "Walking & Cycling map of Telford & Wrekin" and is available from Telford & Wrekin Council, tel: 01952 200 005 or download from Telford & Wrekin Council.

Ironbridge to Telford is also included on the free "Mercian Way - Around the Wrekin" leaflet available from Shropshire CC, tel: 01743 253008 or download from Shropshire CC.

Haugton to Stafford is mapped on the free "Cycling in Stafford Borough" available from Staffordshire CC, tel: 01785 276517 or download from Staffordshire CC.

Routes through Stoke-on-Trent are on the free "Stoke-on-Trent & Newcastle-Under-Lyme cycling map" available from Stoke-on-Trent City Council, tel: 01782 232066 or download from Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

Congleton to Marple is mapped on the free "Congleton to Marple Cycle Route Plan & Guide" available to download from Cheshire CC.

Macclesfield to Marple is mapped on the free "Middlewood Way" leaflet available from Cheshire East Council.

Eccles to Bolton is shown on the free "Greater Manchester Cycle Network" maps 2, 8 and 10 available from Bolton BC, tel: 01204 336115.

From Silloth the route heads along the Solway Firth to Carlisle and across Northumberland to South Shields via Haltwhistle, roughly following Hadrian's Wall. 

Open Sections: Kendal to Barrow in Furness is open and signed as a part of the Walney to Wear (W2W) cycle route.

Ravenglass to South Shields is known the Hadrian's Cycleway though some sections between Ravenglass and Silloth are using interim routes and are not signed.

Maps and leaflets:

Kendal to Barrow in Furness is mapped on the RPN10 Walney to Wear cycle route map. A link route between Ulverston and Whitehaven is also shown on this map. New edition due August 2008.

Ravenglass to South Shields is mapped on the Sustrans NN72 Hadrian's Cycleway cycle route map.

Chesters Roman Fort (near Hexham) to South shields is also mapped on the Sustrans NN14 Three Rivers cycle route map.