The best cycling routes around the London Borough Of Merton

There are over 90 touring cycling routes in the London Borough of Merton, offering a wide variety of options for different skill levels and preferences. You'll find everything from easy, flat paths to more challenging rides.

The London Borough of Merton offers diverse terrain for touring cyclists. You'll find many routes along river trails, such as the Wandle Trail, which are largely traffic-free. Expansive green spaces like Morden Hall Park and Wimbledon Common feature a mix of hard-packed gravel paths, woodlands, and open heathland. While most routes are gentle, some areas within Wimbledon Common offer more challenging dirt climbs.

Yes, the London Borough of Merton has several family-friendly cycling options. The Wooden Bridge in Wandle Park – River Wandle loop from Wimbledon is an easy, traffic-free route following the River Wandle. Morden Hall Park, accessible via routes like the Morden Hall Park – Morden Hall Park Bridge loop from Colliers Wood, also offers mostly flat, hard-packed gravel paths suitable for all ages.

Along the touring cycling routes, you can discover several points of interest. The Wandle Trail passes by Morden Hall Park, a National Trust property with historic snuff watermills and rose gardens. You can also visit Merton Abbey Mills for craft shops and eateries, or Deen City Farm. Near Wimbledon Common, you'll find the iconic Wimbledon Windmill and Museum, and the beautiful Cannizaro Park.

Yes, many touring cycling routes in the London Borough of Merton are designed as loops. Examples include the popular Wooden Bridge in Wandle Park – River Wandle loop from Wimbledon and the Wandle Meadow Nature Park – Garfield Bridge loop from Haydons Road. These circular routes allow you to start and finish at the same point, making planning easier.

Parking is available at various points near the cycling routes. For instance, if you plan to cycle around Morden Hall Park, there are designated parking facilities. Many routes also start near residential areas or public transport hubs where street parking might be an option, though it's always advisable to check local regulations.

Absolutely. The London Borough of Merton is well-served by public transport, making many cycling routes easily accessible. Routes often start near Tube stations (like Wimbledon, South Wimbledon, Colliers Wood) or train stations (like Mitcham Junction, Haydons Road), allowing you to combine cycling with public transport for longer or point-to-point rides.

The touring cycling routes in the London Borough of Merton are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.4 stars from over 80 reviews. Cyclists often praise the area's extensive green spaces, the largely traffic-free sections of the Wandle Trail, and the variety of routes that cater to different abilities, from relaxed park rides to longer journeys connecting to wider London.

Yes, you'll find several opportunities for refreshments along the routes. Morden Hall Park, for example, has on-site cafes like the Potting Shed Café and Stableyard Café. Merton Abbey Mills, located along the Wandle Trail, also offers places to eat. Many other areas near parks and town centers will have cafes and pubs for a break.

While many routes focus on the borough, some extend further afield. For example, the Borough Market – Leadenhall Market loop from Mitcham Junction is a moderate 21.5-mile route that connects to central London landmarks. For a more challenging long-distance ride, the Leith Hill Tower and Viewpoint – View from Box Hill loop from Wimbledon Chase takes you out of the borough into the Surrey Hills.

The Wandle Trail is a significant 12.5-mile (20 km) walking and cycling trail that follows the River Wandle from Croydon to Wandsworth. It offers a largely traffic-free experience through parks and parklands, with sections designated as National Cycle Network Route 20. You can access and cycle sections of it through routes like the Wandle Trail – The Wandle Trail loop from Haydons Road or the River Wandle Walkway – Wandle Trail loop from Wimbledon.

Yes, Wimbledon Common offers diverse terrain for cyclists. While some parts can be muddy, it generally has cyclable paths. Routes like the Broomfield Hill, Richmond Park – Robin Hood Road loop from South Wimbledon can take you near or through parts of the common, providing a mix of gravel paths and more natural surfaces.