The best traffic-free bike rides around the London Borough Of Ealing

The London Borough of Ealing offers a great selection of routes for gravel biking. This guide features over 10 carefully curated no-traffic gravel bike trails, ranging from easy to difficult, ensuring there's something for every skill level.

Ealing's gravel trails primarily feature firm gravel paths and dedicated cycle lanes, making for smooth, traffic-free riding. You'll encounter diverse landscapes, from the artificial hills of Northala Fields offering panoramic views to the ancient woodlands of Horsenden Hill and the peaceful towpaths along the Grand Union Canal.

Yes, Ealing is known for its green spaces and quiet routes, making it ideal for families. Many sections of the Grand Union Canal Towpath are flat and traffic-free, perfect for a relaxed family ride. Parks like Brent Lodge Park and Lammas Park also offer easy cycling paths that can be incorporated into a family-friendly gravel route.

Many of Ealing's parks and towpaths are dog-friendly, provided dogs are kept under control, often on a lead, especially in nature conservation areas or near wildlife. Always check local signage in specific parks or along canal towpaths for any restrictions before you go.

Ealing's routes are rich with points of interest. You can cycle past the impressive Wharncliffe Viaduct, explore the historic Hanwell Flight of Locks, or discover Brunel's Three Bridges along the Grand Union Canal. The Brent River Park also offers surprisingly rural stretches with natural beauty.

Yes, several routes offer circular options. For instance, the 'Deer in Richmond Park' series provides excellent circular loops. Consider the Richmond Park loop from Mortlake, which is an easy, traffic-free option for a pleasant circular ride.

The komoot community highly rates the gravel biking experience in Ealing, with an average score of 4.8 stars. Reviewers often praise the abundance of green spaces, the largely traffic-free nature of the paths, and the surprising sense of rural escape within a city borough. The well-maintained gravel paths and scenic canal towpaths are frequently highlighted as favorites.

Parking is available at various points across the borough, particularly near larger parks like Northala Fields or Horsenden Hill. For routes along the Grand Union Canal, you can often find street parking in nearby residential areas or designated car parks in towns like Southall or Hanwell. Always check local parking regulations.

Ealing is well-served by public transport, making many trailheads easily accessible. Numerous London Underground and Overground stations are located throughout the borough, allowing you to bring your bike (subject to time restrictions) and start your ride directly from a station. The Grand Union Canal Towpath, for example, can be joined from various points close to public transport links.

While Ealing is known for its gentle routes, more experienced riders can find longer, more challenging options that incorporate varied terrain. Routes like the Surrey Hills via Westhumble from Richmond Park offer significant distance and elevation gain, providing a more demanding gravel experience starting from the wider Ealing area.

Ealing's gravel trails are enjoyable year-round. Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures and beautiful scenery with changing foliage. Summer is great for longer days, though some paths might be busier. Even in winter, the firm gravel paths generally remain rideable, though some sections might be muddy after heavy rain, so appropriate gear is recommended.