The North Sea Cycle Route (NCN1 or EuroVelo 12) is an epic 7,250km long cycle route that follows the North Sea coast from Norway to the Shetland Isles in Scotland. The route takes cyclists through Norway, Sweden, Denmark, The Neverlands, Belgium, England and Scotland.
Here we highlight the route in England and Scotland, from Dover to Unst (the most northerly of the Shetland Isles), giving information and links to accommodation in independent hostels and bunkhouses along the way.
The UK section of the North Sea Cycle Route is the longest of all the countries. As you ride along the route will see the landscape of the UK change as you progress up the country. Chatting to locals in the pubs you will detect the changing regional accents, the differing architecture, building materials, fauna, flora and wildlife. Be sure to try savour the local dishes as your journey evolves.
The Norfolk section of the route has recently been renamed the Lord Nelson Way, after Vice- Admiral Nelson, famed for his role in the Battle of Trafalgar. Indeed the route passes though the village of Burnham Thorpe, where he was born in 1758.
After Norfolk the Lincolnshire section includes the mainly traffic-free stretch from Boston to Lincoln. Here an interesting art trail will help the miles pass quickly.
In Yorkshire and Northumberland you will be treated to the uplifting sight of numerous castles, cliffs, islands and magnificent wide empty beaches.
Once in Scotland you will go through the vibrant cities of Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen (aka the Granite City).
After cycling along the Moray Firth your route through Scotland heads northward until Scrabster (near Thurso) where you can take a ferry to Stromness in Orkney.
From Orkney you need to take the ferry from Kirkwall to Lerwick on the main Shetland Island. Finally 2 more short local ferry rides will take you to Unst, the most northerly Shetland Isle, the most northerly part of the UK and the end of your epic cycle adventure.
This is the sort of journey that enriches the soul, changes lives and is written indelibly in the memory.