Whether you're a fan of muddy mountain biking or long, challenging days on country roads or you have bike-mad mates or a three-year-old who's a master on the balance bike, these hostels for cycling breaks have secure stores and other facilities.
Where's your next cycling escape? Have a read below to see some of our finest locations for cycling breaks in the UK.
YHA Castleton Losehill Hall
Deep in the Hope Valley of the Peak District is this refurbished gothic mansion. It's set among 27 acres of parkland, but it's the land beyond that pulls cyclists. Some of the country's best mountain biking is almost literally on its doorstep, and the 205-mile Pennine Bridleway passes nearby too, offering further adventure.
YHA Berwick
Cycling breaks out of the ancient town of Berwick are diverse – international, even. Head north over the Scottish border, with Edinburgh a six-hour coastal ride away, or pedal south towards history-rich Lindisfarne along national cycle route 1. The hostel has cycle storage on site.
YHA Conwy
Not only is the mountainous Eryri (Snowdonia) landscape crisscrossed with thrilling mountain bike trails, but national cycle network route 5, linking Reading to Holyhead via Oxford and Colwyn Bay, goes right by the hostel. Gwydyr Forest, an MTB hub worth checking out, is 10 miles away.
YHA Dartmoor
Some call Dartmoor bleak. We don’t. With an expansive network of designated cycling routes along quiet back-country roads and more than 210 miles of bridleways, the National Park is a top option.
Stay at YHA Dartmoor
YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass
Coed y Brenin is a mountain biking paradise! It was the first purpose-built mountain bike centre in the UK and has a variety of routes for all abilities. “The Beast” is a black route that extends an astonishing 35 kilometres, while the red Cyflym Coch is 12.6 kilometres of fast-flowing singletrack. If you are a beginner or wanting an easier route, the blue MinorTaur route is the one for you.
Stay at YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass
YHA Grinton Lodge
It's no coincidence that this former hunting lodge, set in Yorkshire moorland, was one of our first hostels to install cycle stores and facilities. Mountain bikers and road cyclists flock to Swaledale for some of the county's best trails. There's a high chance of finding like-minded cyclists at the lodge.
YHA Helmsley
Beloved of tourist brochures, the little market town of Helmsley sits on the fringes of the North York Moors National Park. Its cosy hostel draws cyclists of all abilities. The property is kitted out with a cycle store and repair station, and the park has family-friendly forest tracks.
YHA Ironbridge Coalport
A former china factory on the banks of the Severn – and now part of the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site – this atmospheric Shropshire hostel has proper cycling credentials. Cyclists can follow routes 45 and 55 straight out of the door, while mountain bikers can take on the hills.
YHA National Forest
This eco-friendly Derbyshire hostel in the heart of the National Forest is nicely set up for cyclists. There’s a well-equipped bike shed, various trails lead from outside the front door and the close-at-hand National Forest Cycle Centre has some great paths for families. A great cycling spot in Derbyshire.
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