Route 1
National Route 1 of the National Cycle Network is a long distance cycle route connecting Dover and the Shetland Islands mainly via the east coast of England and Scotland. The stretch of Route 1 between Harwich and the Shetland Islands forms the entire British part of the long-distance EuroVelo 12 route known as the North Sea Cycle Route, linking Britain, via Bergen in Norway and the Hook of Holland, to other countries that share a coastline on the North Sea.
National Route 1 is fully signed and open except between Hoddesdon and East Harlow (Hertfordshire /Essex border) and between Whitby and Staithes (in Yorkshire). The route is described below from Dover to Shetland but is signed in both directions. Where no printed map is available for a particular section please use the Sustrans online mapping.
Dover to London
This section follows the north Kent coast, passing through Canterbury, Rochester and Dartford before following the Thames to Greenwich. Dover to London also forms part of EuroVelo 5.
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