10 of the UK's best cycle trails for family days out

From forests tracks to highland lochs and coastal paths, we pick easy-to-follow bike routes through beautiful scenery

The ritual of riding bikes together was a saving grace for our family during lockdown. We started cycling to give our sons some exercise in the absence of school playtime or a proper garden, but it became so much more than that. The meditative aspects of pedalling, of heading somewhere in the same direction, brought a sense of unity and calm to us all.

Some days we rode through woods, others by the sea; some days we chatted, others we stayed silent. But we always returned home feeling better.