Buckinghamshire
Free Maps are listed at bottom of page.
Buckinghamshire offers a huge variety of cycling opportunities within a tranquil, rural landscape. From the high spots of the Chilterns and the Icknield Way in the south, to the Vale of Aylesbury in the north, you will find picturesque villages, quiet lanes, steep climbs, peaceful canal towpaths, stately homes and also busy, cycle-friendly towns.
Aylesbury is now one of Cycling England's Cycling Demonstration Towns. A network of cycle routes is being developed across the town with each route being named after a gemstone. In April 2009 the stunning Bourg Walk Bridge was opened to both pedestrians and cyclists connecting the south side of Aylesbury to the town centre. As well as infrastructure improvements, look out for guided bike rides and cycle training opportunities.
Buckinghamshire is easily accessible from London by train and bus, making it an ideal destination for a day's cycling. See below for route inspiration. Alternatively, take a look at our suggested Easy Rides in South East England.
 |
 |
| 'Reflective Space' seat on Phoenix Trail | Grand Union Canal |
Cycle Routes in Buckinghamshire
Dorney to Maidenhead
National Route 4 leaves the rural oasis of Dorney, passes under the M4 and then heads for Henley-on-Thames by way of the southern outskirts of Maidenhead. Local attractions include Dorney Lake and Dorney Park.
Leighton Buzzard to Milton Keynes
National Route 6 offers 15 miles of pleasant cycling between Leighton Buzzard and Hanslope, north of Milton Keynes. This includes a tranquil six mile stretch of the Grand Union Canal from Leighton Buzzard to Bletchley. It is then possible to cycle through Milton Keynes via attractive, traffic-free routes parallel to the canal, passing through parks and skirting a number of lakes. The route is almost completely traffic-free until the village of Castlethorpe, after which quiet lanes lead to Hanslope and Salcey Forest just over the Northamptonshire county border.
Bicester to Bedford via Milton Keynes
National Route 51 crosses into Buckinghamshire at Poundon just north of Bicester and then runs for approximately 13 miles to Milton Keynes where it intersects with National Route 6 in Campbell Park. The route includes inviting rural roads leading across the Vale of Aylesbury. After Winslow, there are long traffic-free stretches all the way to Bletchley.
Thame to Chesham
National Route 57 is perhaps a gem of the National Cycle Network within Buckinghamshire. From Thame the route follows the Phoenix Trail - a scenic six mile traffic free route on a former railway line - as far as Princes Risborough. Sit on the sculptures to admire the views of the Chiltern Hills or observe the stunning red kites swooping overhead. The Phoenix Trail is ideal for walkers and cyclists alike and is especially good for less experiences cyclists. From Princes Risborough the route becomes more challenging as it climbs the Chilterns along country lanes taking in the picturesque village of Great Missenden before arriving at the market town of Chesham.
Slough to Maidenhead and Uxbridge
National Route 61 provides a largely traffic-free connection between Slough and Maidenhead using riverside paths and quiet routes through Dorney and Eton. The route then connects with peaceful National Route 4 towards Maidenhead. The route also connects Slough northwards with Uxbridge by way of Iver Heath and Denham. This attractive section of route travels through part of Colne Valley Regional Park - The Colne Valley Trail offers 12.5 miles of shared use route from Rickmansworth to Uxbridge (7 miles) and Uxbridge to Colnbrook (5.5 miles). There are two detailed, free leaflets available from Colne Valley Regional Park.
Steeple Claydon to Winslow
Regional Route 70 links with National Route 51 between Steeple Claydon and Winslow, before heading north towards Buckingham and ultimately Northamptonshire. The route features rural lanes and gently undulating terrain connecting interesting villages.
Route development
Chesham to Princes Risborough
National Route 57 is now open between Oxford, Thame, Princes Risborough and Chesham. We are working to extend this route as far as Hemel Hempstead.
Bourne End Rail Bridge
The existing footbridge, attached to the railway bridge, over the River Thames, is accessed by steps on both sides. We have secured a licence from Network Rail to replace these steps with ramps, improving access for all users. Detailed design work is underway and we hope to submit a planning application in 2010 for the whole route between Bourne End Station car park and Cookham Moor. This is a key link in the development of National Route 50 between High Wycombe and Maidenhead.
Wooburn to Bourne End
A public exhibition in Bourne End in February 2007 was staffed by the local councils and Sustrans, to discuss our proposals for the dismantled railway line. Support for opening up the line for walking, cycling and horse riding was overwhelming, with over 90% in favour. Negotiations continue with the private landowner.
Winslow-Aylesbury-Princes Risborough-High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire County Council has given Sustrans the go-ahead to sign and promote this north to south route through the county, mainly using local roads, starting with Winslow to Aylesbury later this year. The rest of the route will take a little longer to complete as it involves some investment in bridleways and other rights of way.
Sustrans also continues to work closely with Buckinghamshire County Council to encourage cycling throughout Aylesbury. The Gemstone Cycleways are nine exciting and innovative routes which provide direct and safe access to the town centre from in and around Aylesbury. Thanks to both council and Links to Schools funding this Gemstone Network will be extended to Stone village (Pebble Way) and to Stoke Mandeville (Jet Way) opening up access to hospitals as well as schools and colleges.
More information and downloadable maps are available from the Cycle Aylesbury website.
Grand Union Triangle
We are actively involved in planning for the Grand Union Triangle project, which seeks to create strategic access corridors along the Aylesbury and Wendover arms of the Grand Union Canal, plus a new route between Aylesbury and Wendover. Much of this is speculative and long term and connected with the proposed Aylesbury Southern Growth Arc as part of the continued development of the town. Regional Route 66 is planned to largely follow the canal between Aylesbury, Tring, Hemel Hempstead and Watford.
Marlow
Many supporters will have seen the Channel 4 programme The Woman Who Stops Traffic, featuring our very own Alex Allen from Sustrans' head office encouraging people in Marlow to cycle around the town. The local authorities have now consulted on a proposed Marlow cycle network and it is hoped to progress plans for the town over the next couple of years.
Links to Schools
The two communities of Chalfont St Giles and Chalfont St Peter will be linked for the first time by a continuous walking and cycling route. Funds from the local community helped to make this scheme possible. In another example of community fundraising, a very successful beer festival and village fete raised funds that will help to see a new route installed around the playing field and through a car park. Work on these schemes plus those in Stone and Stoke Mandeville should be completed in the first half of 2010.
Free cycle maps for Buckinghamshire
The Phoenix Trail Thame to Princes Risborough
(National Route 57) - Sustrans, tel: 0845 113 0065 or download (pdf)
The Grand Union Canal Leighton Buzzard to Bletchley
(National Route 6) - Sustrans, tel: 0845 113 0065 or download (pdf)
The Jubilee River & Slough Linear Park Slough, Maidenhead and Windsor
(National Routes 4 & 61) - Sustrans, tel 0845 113 0065 or download (pdf)
Cycling in the Chilterns -
Range of leafets to order or download from Chilterns AONB, tel: 01844 355504
Chiltern Heritage Cycling Trail - download from Chiltern DC or tel: 01494 729000
Colne Valley Trail - Colne Valley Regional Park, tel: 01895 832662
Cycling in Slough - download from Slough BC or tel: 01753 552288
Milton Keynes Redway Map - download from MKWEB
The following maps are available to order or download from Buckinghamshire County Council, tel: 01296 383028:
- Aylesbury cycle map
- High Wycombe East - West Cycle Route
- Stone to Aylesbury
- Bicester to Winslow to Milton Keynes
- Marlow Cycle Map
- Discover Bernwood by Bicycle