Cycling doesn’t need to be high energy and stuffed with challenging hills. It can, in contrast, be enjoyably leisurely! Here we reveal five routes in surprising places for cyclists who prefer to take things a little easier.

5 great "easier" cycling trips

Lakeside riding in the Lake District Think of the Lake District and most people imagine high-rise mountains with hikes and bike rides starting from lake level. Of course, there are lots of challenging climbs on offer in this picture postcard region of the UK, but if you know where to look, there are also many routes that are better to suited to the leisurely cyclist. Windermere on Two Wheels is a cycling holiday in the Lake District that offers several trail routes around England’s largest lake. There are many bike route choices including a pleasant cycle from the pretty town of Windermere and following quiet back lanes through tiny hamlets and past a nature reserve. After a scenic sail on a lake ferry, you’ll arrive in the village of Ambleside and begin a ride through the Vale of Rydal. Or there’s a 12-mile Wordsworth and Grasmere ride. Wordsworth said that The Vale of Rydal was “the loveliest spot that man hath ever found”. First board a ferry in Bowness and then ride from Ambleside to the tiny hamlet of Rydal. Wordsworth lived here after his move from Grasmere and you can visit his famous home and gardens at Rydal Mount. Cycle on to Grasmere, which is beautifully located in the very heart of the national park. After more glorious cycling amid stunning countryside you return to the ferry at Ambleside. Flat out on a Scottish island When we say “flat out” we don’t mean full-speed ahead but flat landscape. While Scotland is renowned for its hills and mountains, the beautiful country also boasts glens and a flat island called Islay. Also an acclaimed whisky island, Islay on the west coast of Scotland offers some fabulous cycling on quiet and amazingly flat roads. Find out more about cycling on Islay or enjoy a few days of cycling on Islay as part of a Scottish Island Hopscotch holiday. Cream teas and sea views cycling in Cornwall Cornwall can be surprisingly hilly, but it can also be wonderfully relaxing. A Classic Cornwall Cycling holiday will see you enjoying official cycle routes such as the Camel Trail, Cornish Way and the West Country Way. The six days of cycling range from 14 miles to 23 miles – and you have all day to complete the distance and also visit a host of attractions en route. You’ll cycle through laid-back fishing villages, admire fabulous sea views, stop for traditional cream tea and visit fabulous attractions. Some ups and downs in the Scottish Highlands The home of majestic mountains, the Highlands is a treat for the visitor. But what if you would like to explore on two wheels? Well, there are some places where the big climbs and descents are replaced by easier-going undulations. In Perthshire, a cycling circuit of spectacular Loch Tummel includes only around 425 metres of height gain over around 40 miles. The route starts and finishes at Kilvrecht and takes in Loch Tummel and a section of Loch Rannoch. Day 6 of an eight-day cycling holiday: Scotland’s Lochs and Glens is the Loch Tummel circuit. Mawddach Trail, Wales Wales can be very hilly, but not if you take to the Mawddach Trail. In fact, the trail heads along an old railway line, which is always a good bet for a flat bike ride. Starting in the town of Dolgellau, this scenic and easy-going bike ride along the Mawddach Trail – also on National Cycle Network Route 8 – offers some of this country’s most beautiful views. The area is a hotspot for birdlife ­ especially at the RSPB reserve at Penmaenpool – and if you’re lucky you might even see a seal. Tell us about your favourite easier bike rides in the UK.