Traffic free routes

[Teamfixed]

I know, I know!, anyway we are getting tired of so many idiots who are insulated from others in their DC powered rocket ships and are seeking out traffic free routes in an attempt to keep the wheels turning now and again. I'm not after off road as in "mountain biking" rather looking for disused railway lines and bridleways and the like which are hopefully more than a handful of miles long in any part of the UK suitable for a touring bike.
Any suggestions most welcome.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Meon Valley Trail is ~9 miles long, from Wickham to West Meon. It's on my list to do on the egravel bike, last time I did it was ~7.5 years ago on my old fatbike. Once you arrive at West Meon, you have a number of very low motor traffic options, including climbing up on to the Old Winchester Hill ridge and the gentle rolling lanes to around East Meon. The only roads to minimise time on around there are the A32 and A272.
https://www.strava.com/segments/3880674

Another one I like is the Prestatyn-Dyserth Way, starts very close to Prestatyn train station. It's only ~2 miles long, but it gets you away from the town centre traffic and it's a rare stretch that's fairly flat while heading inland around there! From Dyserth, loads of lovely hilly lanes to the south, only ~10 miles to get to Denbigh and climb the ~6.9 mile Road To Hell climb.
https://www.strava.com/segments/13230497

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Best ones I've cime across:

Camel Trail (Awesome but busy)
Tissington trail (good weather recommended, very exposed)
Monsal Trail (amazing scenery and tunnels, but dumps you on main road at Buxton end)
Mawwdach trail (like Camel, but not quite as awesome)

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

You can ride on any footpath in Scotland.

 

[presta]

A few canals I've used:
Kennet & Avon, Chelmer & Blackwater, Leeds & Liverpool, Lancaster, Exeter, Oxford, Monmouthshire & Brecon, Bridgewater, Manchester & Ashton canals, and Rochdale Canal.

Railways:
Monsal Trail
Manifold Way
Tissington Trail
High Peak Trail
Flitch Way
Mawddach Estuary
Keswick - Threlkeld

The problem with this type of route is not finding them, there are plenty, it's that they tend to be isolated and randomly scattered, so there's no continuously linked network to follow. Towpaths tend to be longer than the disused railways though.

 

[HelenD123]

York to Selby is mostly off road. Sustrans publishes a book on traffic-free routes. I'm with you on getting weary of mixing with cars which is partly why I'm doing more backpacking.

 

[Alex321]

Taff trail runs from Cardiff to Brecon (around 55 miles), mostly on gravel or tarmac paths, a few bits on minor roads.

 

[OldShep]

Stanhope Bank Top > Tynemouth 40 mls down hill.

 

[Teamfixed]

Many thanks for your responses guys, very helpful.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Sustrans are giving away free guides: https://www.sustrans.org.uk/get-your-traffic-free-route-guides/

They also have a book for sale: https://shop.sustrans.org.uk/products/sustrans-traffic-free-cycle-rides

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

If you are looking for something around Widnes and Warrington (no - I don;t know why either!)
then there is a nice loop from Spike Island in Widnes
over the Bridge to Runcorn and then onto the Bridgewater canal
turn right at the t-junction on the canal
then onto the road for a short time at Moore and down into the Nature reserve
then out and onto the old St Helens canal back to SPike Island

it is about 20 miles and mostly along canal tow paths
and mostly through countryside

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

Markus Stitz has written a number of books covering off road routes in Scotland, might give some ideas…
https://markusstitz.com/books/