Bristol Green Belt 360 — A gravelly loop of the city

Born out of UK lockdown local exploration, the Bristol Green Belt 360 is a complete circumnavigation of the South West’s largest city, taking in bridleways, byways, tracks, cycleways and quieter roads.

Don't be fooled by the distance; this is a challenging ride. For this reason, I've also split the full 360 in two, so you can try the northern or southern 180 loops before tackling the whole thing in one go, if you like. The southern loop is more hilly and technical, out to Keynsham and Dundry, whereas the northern loop is more beginner-friendly.

The beauty of a route like this is that you can join at any point, and when you feel like you've had enough, you're never too far from the city either. I've suggested that you start at the bike workshop, Forever Pedalling, as this means you can ride out to the circuit on the traffic-free Bristol to Bath Railway Path. Of course, you can start wherever you like.

Bristol is great for urban off-road cycling, as 'considerate cycling' is permitted in all the city's parks. You can ignore a few of the route warnings on the komoot Tours, but make sure you give way to other trail users and look out for dogs too.

As the route skirts around the city, there aren't many cafes and shops directly on the route, though there are a few good ones within a short detour. You can either pack plenty of snacks for the whole day out, or plan your pit stops in advance. You have been warned!

There is no perfect bike for this ride. A mountain bike will certainly help you on the more technical sections like the Dundry singletrack descent or the rocky Queen Charlton byway, but won't be as efficient on the linking road sections. A gravel bike is probably the best compromise, and be prepared that you might need to walk some parts. MTB style shoes and pedals or flats are highly recommended!

Leave a comment with any questions or feedback to let me know how you get on!

For more gravel routes around Bristol, check out: komoot.com/collection/922289/-bristol-gravel-routes