Official opening for Pennine cycleway

Britain has a spectacular new long-distance cycleway - and canal towpaths form a key part of the route.

The 350-mile Pennine Cycleway was opened in Derby on Thursday 10th July. The longest cycle challenge ride in the UK, it follows quiet country roads for around 80% of its length, with the remainder on forest tracks, canal towpaths and disused railway lines. It will test the limits for those wishing to witness the wild and beautiful scenery of the English Pennines as the route passes through three national parks.

Around 80 supporters of Sustrans, the charity responsible for the National Cycle Network, are now midway through an epic eight-day ride along the full length of the Derby to Berwick route. Their itinerary includes picturesque canalside towns such as Hebden Bridge, after which they will pedal across country to the Leeds & Liverpool Canal around Burnley, another part of the ruote.

The northern section of the Pennine Cycleway actually opened last summer. This ride celebrates the official opening of the entire length including the central and southern sections and the completion of National Cycle Network Route 68 - part of what is envisaged as a 10,000 mile cycle network. Sustrans predicts the Pennine Cycleway will become the latest success story in long-distance cycle tourism, alongside routes such as the C2C and Lôn Las Cymru, whilst also providing opportunities for weekend and day trips. The route takes in some of the most remote and spectacular scenery in Britain running down the very spine of the English countryside.

Sustrans' Challenge Routes Manager, David Gray, said today: "This is going to be a fantastically enjoyable trip. Some of the sections are of the more challenging nature, so it isn't just the scenery that'll take your breath away, but this is a cycle ride not to be missed!"