Milton Keynes 30 Mile Challenge Cycle
Conquer our 30 Mile Challenge Cycle across Milton Keynes’ beautiful greenspaces that are hidden away in the city.
30 Mile Challenge Cycle
Designed in 2022 to celebrate 30 years of The Parks Trust we invite you to complete our 30-mile cycling route through the amazing parkland of Milton Keynes. If you're feeling adventurous you can complete this all in one go, or take it easier and split the route over several days.
Start & Finish - Willen Lake
Elevation - 600ft over 30 miles
Route Description - Gravel paths, Redways, Canalside Towpath and Bridle paths
Recommended Bikes - MTB, Hybrid, or Cyclocross
Route Description
Mile 1 - 10
Starting in one of our most popular parks Willen Lake, where you will enjoy fantastic views of the lakeside, local wildlife, and public art. Your ride continues through Ouzel Valley Park which features breath-taking sights of towering poplar trees opening out onto the wide-open water of Caldecotte Lake, returning north via the villages of Simpson, and Woughton on the Green.
Mile 10 - 20
Mile 10 is one of the 2 significant hills, as you cycle through the Woughton area heading towards Furzton Lake, after a long downhill this might be a good time to take a break. The route heads north along Loughton Valley Park, taking in the balancing lakes at Teardrops and Lodge Lake. Halfway through the ride you'll see Bradwell Abbey and the city’s famous Concrete Cows.
Heading north still towards Ouse Valley Park, along the Grand Union Canal towpath you get to see the amazing artwork by Bill Billings, and the Secret Garden in Wolverton.
At mile 19 you turn off the towpath into the Floodplain Forest. At this point you can add a few hundred metres and take in the views from the Iron Trunk Aqueduct (if you choose to do so).
Mile 20 - Finish
The Ouse Valley is a nice flat section and is rich in biodiversity with the Ouse to your left, and the Floodplain to your right. Heading towards Haversham, and then New Bradwell you head up to the Railway Walk and along to visit to the historic gardens of Great Linford Manor Park with its restored ponds and arboretum. Following that, you will meander along the Grand Union Canal until you reach Campbell Park - keep anmm eye out along here for art work from the Gyosei art trail. Arriving at Campbell Park at Mile 28 you then face the final challenge of ascending to the viewpoint which is arguably the best viewing point in the city. After that, it is a joyous downhill ride back to where you started at Willen Lake, and time to relax with an Ice Cream or a Coffee!
To see MK in all it's glory we would encourage you to complete this ride at any time of year - allow for weather conditions and lighting, and take additional care in wet or cold conditions weather. Please ensure that you check your bike before attempting the ride, take some food and drink, and we recommend that you wear a helmet.
When cycling in MK please follow the Redway Code
Have you completed the ride?
We would love to see photos of you completing the ride using our hashtag #TheParksTrust, share them with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Check out the wide variety of activities in the parks including sports, facilities and clubs.
