Rough Stuff Of The North — Second City Divide

The Second City Divide is a 400 mile (638 km) bikepacking route linking two of the UK’s second-biggest cities, Glasgow in Scotland and Manchester in the North West of England. Although the total route itself is relatively new, the tracks, trails and roads that it follows are anything but - dating back to neolithic times or roman roads that carve their signature straight lines across the remote moorland countryside.

Heading out of bustling Glasgow, you’ll climb up to the UK’s largest onshore wind farm and follow wide gravel traffic-free tracks heading South East. Make the most of the ‘Right To Roam’ legislation in Scotland and enjoy a wild camp before you cross the border.

Rather than a direct route from city to city, the Second City Divide meanders across the North of England and Scottish Borderlands to take in the very best off-road areas on offer. From Kielder Forest Park to the Pennine Bridleway, the Yorkshire Dales and Lancashire moorland, expect plentiful helpings of rocky doubletrack, light gravel roads, testing singletrack, grassy moorland, sleepy country villages and bustling, animated cities.

Due to the nature of the terrain, you’ll probably find that a gravel bike is best for the Second City Divide as there are a fair amount of linking lanes. Be prepared for some hike-a-bike though, and that the last few days get rather chunky on the Pennine Bridleway — a rigid or lightweight hardtail XC bike could also work here.

This route is perfect for riders with some bikepacking experience over six days. To do it in less would be very ambitious but it has been done, and you could certainly do it in many more! Don’t feel like you have to tackle the whole route in one go either, with brilliant rail access it’s perfect for a few weekend adventures.

Both Manchester and Glasgow have excellent transport links from train stations to airports, as well as many train links along the route. If you’re looking for an even bigger challenge, why not include the Second City Divide as part of a longer tour from Land’s End to John O’Groats off-road, spanning the whole length of the UK?

Check out more about the Second City Divide from the route masters and locals Luke and Christian here: secondcitydivide.cc