Cycling is a popular sport. When you consider that the Tour De France in 2024 had a television viewership of around 150 million people, you start to see just how loved cycling is as a sport and a hobby. Itβs even something people enjoy doing as a family.
Cycling together does something subtle and powerful to a family. It shifts the pace. The scenery becomes shared. Thereβs conversation without pressure, movement without rush. And at the end of it β tired legs and a slightly too-long picnic β you get the rare kind of memory that doesnβt need a camera to hold onto it. It is even better if you have kids because studies show that cycling has a positive impact on a childβs mental health.
That said, not every cycling trail is built for all ages. Some are too hilly, too exposed, or too stressful for little riders or cautious adults. But there are places β pockets of countryside, old railway paths, canals-turned-bikeways β where the terrain is gentle and the journey itself becomes the point. Those are the routes worth planning a trip around.
The trails below are chosen for exactly that. Smooth rides, calm surroundings, space to stop and breathe. Some come with castles, others come with ducks, riverside playgrounds, or tree-covered shade when the sun gets too ambitious. Most are low-effort, high-reward, and ideal for families who want something more memorable than a theme park queue.
Windermereβs Western Shore Trail β Lake District, UK
On the quieter side of Englandβs largest lake, thereβs a stretch of trail that threads through woods and fields, hugging the water just enough to feel close to it without ever needing to race. Windermereβs western shore doesnβt get the traffic the east side does β no cars, no honking β just trees overhead and soft gravel under the tires.
The ride from Wray Castle to Claife Viewing Station is a straightforward out-and-back route. Thereβs a cafΓ© near the jetty where kids can spot boats, ducks, and sometimes both in the same five seconds. Along the way, there are logs to climb, skipping stones to throw, and open space that seems to soften even the grumpiest travel moods.
This trailβs gentle terrain and car-free path make it ideal for kids just getting confident on two wheels. You donβt need to check over your shoulder every two minutes, and the ferry from Bowness across the lake adds a little adventure without much effort.
If youβre going in spring or autumn, bring warm layers and a rainproof outer one. The weather here likes to change its mind halfway through a sandwich.
Passau to Linz (Danube Cycle Path) β Austria
There are longer rides along the Danube, but the stretch between Passau and Linz is one of the most doable for families. It follows the riverbank for most of the route, with wide, even paths and plenty of places to stop that donβt involve grumbling. Vineyards rise gently in the background, and you can even find apple stands at the edge of some villages. The occasional castle ruins break up the green.
Whatβs special here isnβt just the scenery β itβs how accommodating the region is to cyclists. Ferries make crossing the river simple, and most of the route is completely separate from road traffic. Some guesthouses even provide child trailers, balance bikes, or tools for on-the-go repairs.
In summer, expect full riverside cafΓ©s and music drifting out of open windows. In cooler months, the air turns crisp, but the route stays open. Younger kids might enjoy shorter sections like the Grein to Ybbs segment, which offers plenty of playground breaks and a few ferry crossings that make the day feel more like a journey than a ride.
Bring water, sunscreen, and an extra jumper. The weather changes less dramatically here than in the UK, but rivers come with their own moods.
Canal du Midi Towpath β Occitanie, France
Some rides are scenic. Others are cinematic. The Canal du Midi, with its rows of centuries-old plane trees and gentle towpath trail, feels like both. Running from Toulouse toward the Mediterranean, this historic waterway was once a major shipping route. These days, itβs quieter β more bikes than boats, more baguette crumbs than cargo.
For families, the stretch between Castelnaudary and Carcassonne is particularly inviting. The terrain is flat, the trail is shaded for long portions, and the landscape changes just enough to keep everyone curious. There are villages where time slows down, bridges with views that feel borrowed from a painting, and picnic spots so perfectly placed itβs hard to believe they werenβt designed for cyclists with kids in tow.
The route is well-marked, but mobile access still helps with navigation, especially if youβre visiting France from abroad. Weather updates, or simply finding the nearest bakery when snacks run low β thatβs where an eSIM for France setup can come in useful β no SIM swaps, no data surprises, just instant local connection on your existing phone.
In terms of pace, this isnβt a rush-it sort of trail. Itβs better suited to half-day rides with long lunches, detours for ice cream, and lazy afternoons coasting under the trees.
Hoge Veluwe National Park β Gelderland, Netherlands
The Netherlands knows how to do bikes, and Hoge Veluwe National Park shows just how effortless that experience can be. This forested, open-space park in the Gelderland province offers a rare combination: wild deer, sandy heathlands, and wide cycle paths so smooth they feel like they were poured for the sole purpose of Sunday family rides.
White bikes β free to use β are stationed at various park entrances, and theyβre child-friendly, with adjustable seats and smaller frames available. Thereβs no car traffic within the park itself, just long, tree-lined avenues that open into gentle meadows, art installations, and the KrΓΆller-MΓΌller Museum (which happens to have one of the worldβs largest Van Gogh collections).
Families often ride short loops, stopping for picnics or wildlife spotting. In summer, the air smells like pine and dry grass. In spring, itβs all soft green light through new leaves. Itβs one of those rare places where every age group finds its rhythm. No pressure to finish the whole loop; just choose a direction, pedal for a while, and see where it leads.
Via Verde de la Sierra β Andalusia, Spain
Built along an old railway line that was never completed, the Via Verde de la Sierra is now one of the most peaceful rail trails in Spain. It cuts through olive groves and limestone cliffs between the towns of Olvera and Puerto Serrano, with long, flat stretches and more than 30 tunnels that make it an instant favourite with kids.
The tunnels are short and well-lit, and the novelty never really wears off. There are viaducts too, offering wide views of the valleys below. Along the way, stations-turned-cafΓ©s serve snacks and strong coffee for parents in need of both.
Because it was built for trains, the gradient is barely noticeable, which means even younger cyclists can manage a fair distance before needing a break. Spring is ideal because the weatherβs mild, the wildflowers show off, and the crowds are light. Thereβs also a nearby vulture observatory, which gives the ride a bit of science-meets-nature energy without requiring a full detour.
Planning a Safe, Comfortable Ride
The right gear doesnβt have to be expensive, but it does need to make sense. For younger kids, a properly fitted helmet and a good-quality trailer or child seat make the difference between a short, fun ride and a frustrating one. Lightweight jackets, layers that breathe, and gloves for colder months keep everyone more focused on the road than the weather.
High-visibility vests might be good idea, especially if cloud cover rolls in or the ride starts early or finishes late. For older children, having a bell or horn gives them a bit of independence while also helping them alert walkers or other cyclists.
Bring snacks, water, and more snacks. Even flat trails take energy, and food stops donβt always appear when needed. A compact toolkit, spare tube, and tire levers are worth packing, even for short rides. If nothing else, they save long walks home.
As for weather, it helps to assume itβll do at least two different things in a single afternoon. Sunscreen and a raincoat arenβt an overreaction; theyβre standard.
Final Thought
Family cycling doesnβt need to be fast or far. It needs to be safe, scenic, and built around shared experience. A good trail isnβt just smooth tarmac. Itβs one that gives everyone a reason to keep going: the next view, the next cafΓ©, the next five minutes without traffic or noise.
Pack well, pace the ride to the slowest rider, and choose a route that leaves room to pause. Those are the details that turn a bike ride into an adventure worth remembering.
