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Route Planning

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Find cycling routes in Colchester

There are lots of great cycling routes in and around Colchester. Find out about some of different routes that exist and some tools for planning the best route for your journey.

Also check out our page of family cycling trails for a selection of short and fun trails.

Family Cycle Trails
Colchester cycling map
Colchester cycling map
Cycle Colchester routes 

A carefully planned network of routes to help you navigate Colchester by bike avoiding the busiest roads and showing recommended routes into the city centre.

Follow the links to the Colchester cycling map to see the routes and keep an eye out for the Cycle Colchester route markers while out riding.

Interactive Map
PDF Map
National Cycle Network 

A UK-wide network of signed walking, cycling and wheeling paths connecting cities, towns and countryside. Three NCN routes run through Colchester

  • NCN1 – Dover to the Scottish Highlands
  • NCN13 – London to Dereham in Norfolk
  • NCN51 – Oxford to Harwich 

Look out for red route markers while out riding.

National Cycle Network
Route planning tools

Planning from A to B

Citymapper – Route planning app for all modes of transport, including cycling with an option to select the quietest, fastest or balanced route.

Cycling UK – User friendly interactive map with an option to choose how the route planner plans your route.

Open Street Map – Interactive, open-source map including cycle routes and National Cycle Network.

Cycle Streets – Interactive map including an option to select the quietest, fastest or balanced route. It also provides details directions and details about the route.

Planning Leisure Routes

Komoot – User friendly route planning and interactive map where you can plot your own route or browse routes that others have made. You can also track your ride and receive directions while riding. To access some features you will need to sign in and may require a paid membership.

Strava – A social media platform for exercise which allows you to connect with fellow cyclists, track your rides and analyse your stats. You will need to sign in to access Strava and some features require a paid membership.

Ordnance Survey – Interactive maps including layers for OS maps and National Cycle Network. To plan your own routes you will need to log in and some features require a paid membership.

Cycling to School and College

Thinking of cycling to school or college? Check out the active zone maps for schools and colleges around Colchester to help plan your route and find out what is available at your school, no matter how you are travelling.

We are continuing to add new maps to the list but if you can’t see your school or college, let us know and we can get in touch with the school.

Primary School Maps ↓ Secondary School and College Maps ↓

Primary School Maps

Kendall CofE Primary School Download map Unity Primary Academy Download map North Primary School Download map St Thomas More’s Catholic Primary School Download map St John’s Green Primary School Download map Stanway Fiveways Primary School Download map Millfields Primary School Download map Stanway Primary School Download map Prettygate Infant and Junior Schools Download map Hamilton Primary School Download map Queen Boudica Primary School Download map Gosbecks Primary School Download map St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School Download map Willow Brook Primary School Download map

Secondary School & College Maps

Colchester Institute Download map Philip Morant School & College Download map St Benedict’s Catholic College Download map Colchester County High School for Girls Download map

Get the most from your ride

Buying a Bike Find information about where to buy a bike either new or second-hand. Find out more Cycle Groups Check out the different cycling groups that meet in and around Colchester. Find out more Bike Parking Find out where you can park your bike when out and about. Find out more Safety & Training Learn about best practice for cycle safety and book on to a cycle course. Find out more