The Asher Valley rail trail: a gentle two-day cycling break along a former railway

When the Asher Valley branch line closed in 1966, its track was lifted and the route slowly disappeared under brambles. Today it is one of the most popular cycling routes in the region. The Asher Valley rail trail runs for 64 kilometres from the edge of Millbrook to the village of Tarnmere, almost entirely free of traffic and never steeper than a gentle slope.

Most riders do it in a day, but taking two days leaves time to stop. Starting at Millbrook Junction, the trail follows the river through water meadows, crossing it three times on old iron bridges. After about 20 kilometres it reaches Holloway, where the former station building is now a café known for its cheese scones and its collection of railway photographs.

An overnight stop

The natural halfway point is the village of Ashcombe, where the Plough Inn has rooms, secure bike storage and a drying room for wet clothes. Doubles cost from around €95 a night, including breakfast. Landlady Rosalind Pemberton said cyclists now made up more than half of her guests between April and October. "They arrive tired and hungry, and leave happy," she said.

It is the kind of ride where you can bring children, grandparents and a picnic, and nobody gets left behind.

The second day climbs very gradually into the Greyling Hills, passing through a 400-metre tunnel that is lit during the day. The final stretch runs along the shore of the Tarnmere reservoir, with views across to the hills. From Tarnmere, a bus with bike racks returns to Wrenhaven several times a day, so there is no need to cycle back.

Bikes, including electric and child trailers, can be hired at Millbrook Junction from €25 a day, and the hire company will collect them in Tarnmere for a small fee. The trail surface is compacted gravel, suitable for most bikes, though it can be muddy in places after heavy rain. A free map is available from the tourist information office at the Old Quay.