From: Central Cambridge.

Distance: 11 miles.

Summary: Never let it be said that there are no hills around Cambridge.

Click here to fly over this route in Google Earth (find out more…)

* * * *

This is a slightly longer than usual lunchtime ride, out into the Gog Magog hills, to the southeast of Cambridge. It’s all too easy to think of this area of the country as being entirely flat, but this cycle ride shows that this is by no means the case…

In detail:

• Begin by heading south out of the city, along Hills Road, as Addenbrooke’s Hospital.
• At the roundabout with the hospital, continue straight ahead onto the Babraham Road.
• Use the shared cycle/pedestrian footpath at this point, and follow this round as it bears left onto Worts Causeway. This is a no-through road for cars in the morning rush-hour, but bikes are allowed along at any time of day.



• Worts Causeway owes its name to Sir William Worts, a wealthy 17th century landowner and member of St. Catharine’s College. In his will, Sir William left funds for the building of this road, and for a scholarship to support Cambridge University undergraduates visiting other countries — both still survive today.
• Half a mile along Worts Causeway, you will reach a crossroads. Continue straight ahead, remaining on Worts Causeway. If you have time to spare, watch out for the wooded nature reserve on the right-hand side (at point A on the map), as this looks a good area to explore on a sunny day.
• Shortly after you pass the nature reserve, the road becomes increasingly steep — it’s at this point that you realise that there are indeed hills in this area of the country. The undulating Gog Magog hills are in fact chalk downs, extending over a relatively small area of just a few miles in any direction, and give excellent panoramic views over Cambridge.



• You can now enjoy freewheeling (or manically cycling) down the road and into the town of Fulbourn.
• Turn left at the top of the road, past the grounds of the former Fulbourn Hospital. The road markings become a little unclear here, but you will be directed across the road onto a shared cycle/pedestrian path on the right-hand side of the road.
• You are now on the Cambridge Road, which takes you into Cherry Hinton. From here it is possible to continue straight ahead down Cherry Hinton Road and back onto Hills Road, but for variety I would instead suggest turning right into Cherry Hinton High Street (position B).
• Continue over the railway track in Cherry Hinton, and then turn left into Coldham’s Lane. This road will take you past the runway of Cambridge’s airport (position C) — primarily serving commercial flights, but also home to two flight schools.



• Shortly after you pass the airfield, you will reach a large roundabout. Turn left along Brooks Road, and then shortly afterwards right onto the east end of Mill Road. This will take you all the way back into the centre of Cambridge.

This is another pleasant bike ride for a sunny lunchtime, but be aware that the steep hill along Worts Causeway may result in the ride taking a little longer than you expect.