Road · United Kingdom
Northwich – Mouldsworth
A rolling 40 km mixed-surface cycling loop from Northwich, England through Little Leigh, Bartington and Hatchmere, with 221 m of climbing. Mixed surface: 72% is mapped as paved and 22% as gravel or unpaved and 6% has no surface data.
At a glance
- Best for
- Rolling day rides
- Distance
- 40.4 km
- Elevation gain
- 221 m
- Riding time
- 2–3 hours
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Gravel bike
- Surface
- Mixed surface
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Northwich
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 221 m
- 40 km
Route description
- Northwich
- Little Leigh
- Bartington
- Hatchmere
- Flaxmere
- Acton Bridge
- Weaverham
- Greenbank
- Castle
- Northwich
Starting at Northwich, this 40.4 km loop heads through Little Leigh and Bartington towards Norley. The route features a climb beginning around 9.5 km that lasts 2.1 km, gaining 59 m at an average gradient of 2.9%, reaching a height of 81 m near Hatchmere. The highest point on the route is at 13.2 km at 100 m elevation. The route descends gradually with the longest descent lasting 2 km from 21.9 km, dropping 60 m.
The surface is mostly paved (72%) with 22% gravel or unpaved and 6% unmapped. Riders follow a mix of minor roads (42%), main roads (23%), paths (18%), quiet streets (7%), tracks (7%), and a short cycle path (2%). Main roads without a cycle lane total 9.5 km, and 10.6 km have speed limits of 80 km/h or more. Named roads include 4 km on Norley Lane and 3 km on Station Road.
Amenities are available but spaced out; there is a longest stretch of 11.7 km without café, shop, or water from 8.6 km to 20.3 km. Pubs and cafes such as the Hare and Hounds at 8.6 km and Fortune Palace at 20.3 km lie just off the route. Additional shops and water points are found around Northwich and Weaverham near the end. Bailout stations at Delamere (20.2 km), Acton Bridge (27.6 km), and Northwich (35.4 km) offer options to shorten or exit the ride.
Highlights
- Climb near Hatchmere from 9.5 km
- Longest descent 2 km from 21.9 km
- Named roads: Norley Lane and Station Road
- Pubs near start and finish at Northwich
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 9.5 km | 2.1 km · 59 m · 2.9 % · max 4.8 % | 81 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (9.5 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 42% minor road · 23% main road · 18% path · 7% quiet street · 10% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 9.5 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 10.6 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Norley Lane (4 km), Station Road (3 km)
- Surface
- Mixed surface: 72% is mapped as paved and 22% as gravel or unpaved and 6% has no surface data.
- Gradient
- 13% climbing · 15% descending · 73% flat
- Longest descent
- 2 km from 21.9 km, dropping 60 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 84 cafés and restaurants, 19 shops, 1 water point, 3 petrol stations, 4 public toilets and 2 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 8.6 kmHare and Hounds · pub · 50 m off route
- 20.3 kmFortune Palace · restaurant · 30 m off route
- 29.2 kmEsso · petrol station · on the route
- 29.3 kmDevonshire Bakery · bakery · on the route
- 29.3 kmTesco Express · convenience store · on the route
- 29.3 kmWeaverham Pharmacy · pharmacy · 40 m off route
- 33.7 kmCyclelife · bike shop · on the route
- 34.5 kmA-Z Convinence Store · supermarket · on the route
- 34.5 kmNorthwich Water Point · water point · 40 m off route
- 34.7 kmCoffee#1 · café · on the route
- 35.1 kmAsda · petrol station · 60 m off route
- 38.2 kmToilets · on the route
- 39.6 kmSpinner & Bergamot · pub · 90 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 20.2 km — Delamere (station), 1.5 km off route
- 27.6 km — Acton Bridge (station), 70 m off route
- 35.4 km — Northwich (station), 660 m off route
Worth a stop
- 5.4 km — Weaver Valley Cruises (attraction)
- 31.2 km — Gibbet Hill (archaeological site)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Food and coffee
- Spinner & Bergamot (700 m)
Know before you go
- 11.7 km stretch without café, shop or water from 8.6 km to 20.3 km
- 9.5 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 10.6 km on roads with 80 km/h+ posted limits
- 22% of route on gravel or unpaved surfaces