Route: Frodsham and the Trans Pennine Trail (TPT)
Another very wet weekend led to a last minute decision to do this route on Saturday morning. I rode this with my brother who is planning to complete the Centurion in July with me. The route originally came from Gravel Biking with Coffee and Cake around Cheshire which I highly recommend purchasing for the finer details of the route including gradients and suggested stops.
The first part of this route follows most back lanes around Frodsham before joining the popular and traffic-free Trans Pennine Trail in Warrington. It then follows the Trans Pennine Trail all the way through to Runcorn before using cycle paths to take you back to Frodsham.
Start / Finish
Frodsham Train Station : There is plenty of parking at the train station. Be aware that there is parking both sides of the track - one side is very limited and tight! Further parking and refreshments are available in Warrington and Runcorn.
Route
From the car park, follow the road down towards the town centre before turning right to head up the first (of many) hill. The route soon turns off the main road and works its way through some residential streets. At the top of the hill, you then start your first off-road section following farm tracks. These were very muddy and quite challenging to ride with the cross tyres I had on. My brother, on a MTB, was much more successful!
The route continues following small roads before joining Kingsley Road and heading past Lady Heyes - a craft centre and camping / caravanning site. Turning off the main road you head down through Kingsley (passing a Co-Op) and then to the River Weaver.
Along the River Weaver, it is lovely when the weather is dry! When it’s wet, it becomes a mud bath! However, you soon join a firmer path along the canal and follow this, crossing above the tunnel, into Preston on the Hill.
No surprises that you then cycle right up the hill and follow the road round to cross over the M56 near Hatton. Another off-road section then follows, which again was very muddy, wet, and challenging to ride, before you finally come out onto the A49.
Crossing over, you follow the residential roads through an estate, up a closed road (for motorised traffic), and then, after crossing a busy road, across the Manchester Ship Canal at Latchford.
Here you join the Trans Pennine Trail.
“The Trans Pennine Trail (TPT) is an route for walkers, cyclists, wheelers and horse riders linking the North and Irish seas, passing through the Pennines, alongside rivers and canals and through some of the most historic towns and cities in the North of England. The Trail from coast-to-coast between Southport and Hornsea is 215 miles (346km) long. The Trans Pennine Trail is mapped and signed all the way, mainly traffic free and is surprisingly level considering the dramatic scenery along the way.”
I have previously ridden the TPT and really enjoyed the whole route - maybe I’ll do it again next year?
The TPT then follows the Manchester Ship Canal all the way to Warrington. The route that I had then heads through Warrington before joining the TPT again at Sankey. Great if you need to stop and grab food, but the better option is to just continue following the TPT signs all the way to Runcorn.
Continue along the well-laid path, past the Fiddler’s Ferry Power Station before finally passing under the new Runcorn Bridge - there are some great views leading up to it.
You then make your way up towards the old Runcorn Bridge - which now has a wide cycle lane across - before following cycle paths and shared use paths all the way back to Frodsham! I found these surprisingly fast and fun to ride! On these paths, you pass a Starbucks, Costa, and a pub, so plenty of options to fill up with food or drink!
The final section into Frodsham takes you round the back of the houses for a small section of gravel before you finish.
A fun ride, which was a lot hillier at the start than I expected. The first section of this route is definitely better on a dry day, but the TPT section is ridable in any weather.
Stats
- Total Distance: 37.75miles
- Gravel Rating: 2 - mix of gravel and roads / cycle paths
- Weather Rating: 3 - Better to wait for dry day if possible
- Refreshments: 4 - refreshments stops around route
- Child Friendly: 3 - suitable for confident riders only. Includes some busier roads
- Escape Routes: 4 - can be picked up at most points on the route if needed. Multiple public transport links.
- Personal highlights on route: TPT and the Runcorn Bridge Views
- GPX: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/416575054
