The routes are all suitable for families (though not for very young children) and are almost all traffic-free – there are some short unavoidable road sections but we have made these as short as possible.
You can see a Google map marking every single lake, pond and puddle at the York Pond Atlas.
Rawcliffe Lake
Length 12km / 7 milesTime required 1–3 hours
From the Minster, head down to the river and push your bike the short distance down the cobbled lane to the right of Lendal Bridge and on to Judi Dench Walk. Once it’s safe to cycle, you head alongside the riverside, under Scarborough Bridge, and past the park on your right.
After crossing under Clifton Bridge, you follow the cycle route through open green space until you get to the entrance to Rawcliffe Country Park, on your right, about 4km into the trip. Shared pedestrian/cycle paths and untrafficked roads take you to Rawcliffe Lake itself (pic).
The lake was constructed in the 1980s as part of the development of the Clifton Moor area. A tarmac path goes right round, which you cycle. There are plenty of places to sit and enjoy a picnic or admire the view. If you need to buy provisions, the supermarkets of Clifton Moor are a few minutes’ ride away, such as Tesco (which also has the nearest toilets).
You head back along shared pedestrian/cycle paths and through Clifton Backies,
past a small pond (pic) where you might glimpse turtles. There is a bench nearby.
Quiet roads and back lanes take you to the iron bridge over the railway (you’ll
have to push your bike up and over it, using the wheel chute provided) and
through the grounds of the old mental hospital. The last 500m or so is on Bootham, the only part of this route that’s on anything like a busy road. If you have small children, you can walk this last stretch back to the Minster.
University Lakes
Length 14km / 8 milesTime required 1–3 hours
From the Minster, cross Lendal Bridge and follow the riverside roads and paths south to the Millennium Bridge. Sadly, Terry Avenue will be closed for works from late 2020 and all of 2021. There may or may not be sensible diversions signed for cyclists: these will probably involve crossing Ouse Bridge and going down the west side of the river.
Cross Millennium Bridge and follow signs to the University, past the barracks and across Walmgate Stray. Once in the campus, turn right and shortly after, left to pick your way through the university campus. There are many ways through, and you’ll get a good view of the western lake (pic). There’s some striking concrete architecture and a fountain which makes it look like Lake Geneva, sort of. There are plenty of places to sit and a few cafes which are open to the public (and have toilets).
Carry on east across the church green and follow signs to the Heslington East campus. There is a system of good, Dutch-style bike infrastructure here. You may notice models of the planets en route. There are at least three lakes here (pic), which add to the Dutch feel. There is a bird hide to your right just after the signalled crossing at the western edge of the Eastern campus.
There are cafes and bars open to the public (with toilets). Head east traffic-free through the campus and work your way along the shared-use paths by the Park and Ride to cross the dual carriageway by the signalled crossing. On the other side, follow the shared-use path east to B&Q, where you turn right to take the shared-use path to Osbaldwick. Turn left at the junction and follow the quiet road until you see signs for the Foss Islands cycle route. This takes you back to the centre of town via Morrisons and the Hungate development.
Chapman's Pond and Railway Pond
Length 14km / 8 milesTime required 1–3 hours
From the Minster, cross Lendal Bridge and follow the riverside roads and paths south to the Millennium Bridge. Our route takes you through Rowntree Park, where you can admire the pond (pic) and perhaps get a coffee and cake at the Reading Room Cafe. Sadly, Terry Avenue will be closed for works from late 2020 and all of 2021. There may or may not be sensible diversions signed for cyclists: these will probably involve crossing Ouse Bridge and going down the west side of the river.
Keep following the signed cycle route to the Knavesmire and wheel round the southern end of the racecourse. About 700m after you turn right to cross the racetrack itself, take the path through the woods to your right. This takes you through houses to the roundabout on Tadcaster Road with Tesco off it. Carry on across the roundabout up and over the railway bridge.
On the downslope on the other side of the bridge, you can glimpse Hogg’s Pond, an old brick pond. It’s part of a holiday accommodation development and there’s no public access. Just beyond, however, on your right, is the entrance to
Backtracking very slightly, take the road on your left until you get to Hob Moor, and follow the cycle path across it. Immediately after crossing under the railway line, turn right. After a couple of minutes you get to the secret gem of the Railway Pond (pic). Recently restored by volunteers, this offers a lovely secluded few benches for a quiet picnic or chillout. There is a path all the way round but you'd have to wheel your bike. There are no shops or toilets nearby.
Retrace your steps to Hob Moor and turn right to follow the cycle route across the edge of the racecourse. Our route takes you along quiet lanes and cycle paths under Victoria Bar and back through the centre of town, over Lendal Bridge, to the Minster.
We hope you enjoyed the rides. If you have any useful information about any of things here, do let us know by email.
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