We ride to Mickle Trafford to pick up the Greenway into Chester and then join NCN 5 to Connah's Quay on the river Dee where we can stop for coffee, we gradually climb to the Clwydian Hills and make our way to Loggerheads Country Park for lunch, this is a popular starting point to climb Moel Famau at 554m, that you can see to our west. After lunch we continue to Maeshafn where there used to be a Youth Hostel built of wood by members with triple bunks! At Eryrys we begin our gradual descent to the river Alyn and back to Chester, we ride on the cycle path by the river past Roman remains before rejoining the Greenway back to Mickle Trafford and then the Hostel.
We repeat yesterdays route towards Shotton before turning off to Burton point Bird reserve where you often see Marsh Harriers in the Dee Estuary, there is soon the chance of a coffee at Nets Cafe before we ride through popular Parkgate where the sea has retreated far from the original shore and you can sample the local ice cream. We follow the cycle path to West Kirby, a popular windsurfing and tourist destination where there are several lunch options nearby, we carry on the coastline until we reach Wallasay where we begin our return inland with fewer cycle paths skirting Birkenhead down to Willaston, through Dunkirk and finally re-joining the Greenway back to Mickle Trafford.
We head south to join NCN 70 and follow the quiet lanes to Beeston Castle-an impressive landmark perched on a rocky sandstone crag 107m above the Cheshire Plain, it was built in the 1220s by Ranulf de Blondeville, 6th Earl of Chester (1170–1232), on his return from the Crusades. Café stop in Bunbury, after coffee we go west over the Peckforton Hills in sight of Peckforton castle that is now a hotel, through Burwardsley, Tattenhall and then Farndon to admire the bridge over the Dee, the Welsh border before crossing to lunch in Holt. Retracing our route north to Aldford we then head east over the Shropshire Union Canal along the lanes to Kelsall where there's a shop and café, we soon join NCN 70 The Cheshire Cycleway back to Mickle Trafford and then the hostel at Bridge Trafford where the tour ends.
Land Only - £120
A deposit of £50 per person is required as soon as possible once the Tour Organiser has confirmed your booking, with the final balance to be paid by 01-August 2026
Written Notice Received:
Cancellation Charge:
Before 01/08/2026
50 deposit
After 01/08/2026
full price of tour
Complete the online booking request form
The price of £120 (land only) is based on a minimum number of 8 people taking part in the holiday. If there are insufficient bookings by Saturday 01st August 2026, we will contact you and return all monies paid.
This holiday is classed as energetic as there are some steep hills and the longest day is 98km
Based at YHA Chester Trafford Hall for two nights we’ll ride in The Clwydian Hills in North East Wales, the excellent cycle paths on the Wirral through Burton Point nature reserve, historic Parkgate and West Kirby, finally heading south into deepest Cheshire to Bunbury, Peckforton Castle and Farndon on the river Dee-the Welsh border.
The Tour is based near Chester where there is a main line railway station.
Travel to the start and from the finish is not included in this holiday. It is very important that you note that neither your Tour Organiser nor Bikexplore are responsible for you in any way until the appointed time at the designated meeting point. Should you fail to arrive at the appointed time for whatever reason, we will not be responsible for any additional expenses you may incur in order to meet up with the tour group. Before finalising travel arrangements, you should ensure that the tour is definitely going ahead.
Should there be insufficient bookings or pandemic travel restrictions are re-imposed, we reserve the right to cancel the tour at any time. It is therefore recommended that you book fully flexible and refundable transport and accommodation or wait until you have been told the tour will go ahead. In the event of the tour being cancelled we will not be responsible for any losses incurred outside what you pay us.
We will use WhatsApp to communicate details like café stops, meal arrangements, places of interest and any emergencies on route. Ideally everyone will bring a smart phone and be happy to be included in the group.
If you are unable to join the WhatsApp group we can only communicate with you in an emergency.
The maximum number of participants will be 10 excluding the tour organisers.
We are staying at the Youth Hostel with self-catering facilities. Everyone will have a bottom bunk bed.
Prices are based on two people sharing a room, there is also a single option at extra cost.
There is a small kitchen at the hostel for self-catering and you can also buy a hostel breakfast, dinner and drinks. There are two pubs nearby that also do meals.
We will stop at cafes for lunches and coffee where possible but you should always carry spare food in case these aren't available.
The tour organisers will arrange at least one group meal for those that want it in the evening.
Check that you have informed the Tour Organiser of any dietary requirements in your Booking Form.
Please remember to pack any medications that you need to take regularly.
• Ideally a touring, road, hybrid bike, electric or tandem. We suggest medium weight tyres (i.e. NOT heavily treaded mountain bike tyres). We would take a minimum of 25mm wide tyres.
• We recommend at least two spare innertubes and pump. We will carry basic general tools and a basic first aid kit, but we suggest you also bring a small first aid kit and any tools that are specific to your bike. Two water bottles should be ample as we are stopping at cafes.
• You should ensure your bike is well maintained, paying particular attention to wheels, tyres and brakes. A low (easy) bottom gear is useful on the hills.
• Mudguards are optional, but if it is wet then it's not so much fun cycling behind someone without them.
• A lightweight lock is advisable for when we stop at cafes.
• A bell/horn is essential for the cycle paths.
• Emergency rations e.g. energy bars are good to have, and we suggest a map, or some means of navigation.
• A fixed centre trip where we stay for two nights at the same accommodation and cycle for three days.
• Most of each day will be spent cycling. People will be able to ride with the led group at around 19-23 km/h (on level sections) or by themselves, usually meeting up at cafes for lunch and refreshment breaks, the co-leader will ride at the back of the led group.
• It is expected that you may want to stop for photographs, look at the view or explore some local object and this is okay. You are on holiday.
• Some of the route is hilly and there is no back-up vehicle, so you do need to be fit to get the most out of this tour. It is essential to get out on your bike and do at least 50-to-80 kilometer rides before the tour starts. There are some steep descents too, so you should be able to negotiate these safely. Please note it may not always be possible to follow the itinerary exactly due to road works or weather etc, as things do not always go as planned. In these circumstances, you will be advised of alternative arrangements, you will need to be aware of the route each day. This information will be given to you before, or at the beginning of the holiday, and again at daily briefings.
• Daytime temperatures-average high of 17-19degC
• Hopefully sunny. Suggest cycling top and shorts, with a lightweight waterproof. Suncream, lip balm and sunglasses.
• No route sheets will be provided as such, just print the maps as you see fit.
• GPX files will be provided before the start.
• Ordnance Survey Landranger maps: 116, 117 & 108
Travel insurance is not compulsory for UK nationals traveling in the UK.
Current Covid and Influenza vaccinations are recommended for participants of 75 and 65 years of age respectively and over and those deemed medically vulnerable.
It is recommended that you are vaccinated against hepatitis A, typhoid, polio and tetanus and that protection has not expired. You should contact your doctor at least 3 months prior to travel to obtain these vaccinations and the latest advice for travellers.
Holders of non-UK passports are advised to check whether they require a visa.
Harvey Bell. email: harvey.bell1975@outlook.com Phone 07525125534