Ride4
RIDE 4
Grand Union Canal
Distance: 6km
Difficulty: Very easy but expect pedestrians
Time: 20–35 minutes
This gentle but uplifting route starts from the Paddington Basin and follows the Grand Union Canal towpath, past colourful houseboats with flourishing veg patches. There’s no traffic, aside from the odd runner, so it’s the perfect jaunt for cautious cyclists. Although this canal is the longest in Britain (by boat, you can go all the way to Birmingham), we think it’s worth finishing at the Canal Deli to refuel with a flat white and homemade sandwich before heading home the way you came.
How to follow the route
We recommend a free app called BikeGPX (no login required).
Once installed, follow the link below to access the route.
Alternatively you can download the gpx file and use it in a cycling app.
Ride with GPS and Strava are great but you will need a subscription.
You can also view the route on Google Maps (but this option cannot be used for point-to-point navigation).
Safety tips
Make sure you can safely attach your phone to your bike – you can find holders online here - and remember to focus on your surroundings as well as the screen.
Please cycle responsibly: always wear a helmet and remember to account for the distance of the journey. It’s also good to have the map downloaded, in case you lose signal while on the road.
Make sure you can safely attach your phone to your bike – you can find holders online here - and remember to focus on your surroundings as well as the screen.