Cycle routes around Elephant & Castle

With warmer weather coming, there’s no better time to get on your bike and start cycling. Here’s our list of the best cycle routes, Elephant and Castle.

Previously known as the North South Superhighway (or Superhighway 6), this route begins in Elephant & Castle and, following an extension in the last few years, now takes you straight to King’s Cross and Kentish Town. 

After Transport for London rebranding the “Superhighways” and “Quietways” to Cycleways, these routes are designed to be a protected space for cyclists on some of London’s busiest roads. For the most part, they separate cyclists, where possible, from motor traffic. 

This 14km route was also a former Superhighway. In 2020, during the Coronavirus pandemic, a number of sections were upgraded to segregate lanes. Running from the City of London to Collier’s Wood, stops include Kennington, Clapham Common, Balham and Tooting Broadway.

Not strictly a cycle route in Elephant and Castle, but rather an important one for the Borough of Southwark, C10 runs from Waterloo to Greenwich, through Borough, Bermondsey Spa, South Bermondsey and Deptford. 

If you’re using this route (for business or pleasure) we say stop off in Bermondsey for a refreshment; there’s no shortage of great coffee shops in the area!

Another route that runs through Southwark and is easily accessible from Elephant & Castle, is C14, from Waterloo to Canada Water in Deptford. 

Running along the Thames for part of the journey, this short route of 4.6km was previously a Quietway and runs mostly, in parallel with Jamaica Road in Bermondsey. 

Eventually, this route will be extended to run alongside the Thames Path, through Greenwich and Thamesmead. 

A quieter thoroughfare than Cycleway 6, this route starts at Elephant Park and runs through to Burgess Park, so you can end with a leisurely cycle through green, open space (or hit the BMX tracks for the daredevils amongst you!). 

This route also takes you past East Street Market which is a fantastic place to explore – so a great route for half term or school holidays with little ones! 

Whether you live in Elephant & Castle or you’re just visiting, bring your bicycle into the park itself to explore the rolling green space and surrounding streets lined with cafés and restaurants. There are lots of cycle bays around Elephant Park where you can park your bike and keep it safe while you explore the area.

If the weather is on your side, grab a takeaway lunch on Sayer Street and dine alfresco at Elephant Springs, the park’s natural playground. Here you can enjoy your refreshment of choice by the side of bubbling natural springs, lying on the sand, or in a hammock, with the sound of the wind rustling through the trees. An idyllic afternoon!

If you fancy enjoying the nice weather but you don’t have a bike of your own, there are docking stations around London where you can hire a bike from around £2 for journeys of up to 30 minutes, depending on how long you want to use it. Docking stations around the Elephant & Castle area include:

• Walworth Square

• Victory Place

• New Kent Road

• Strata, Elephant & Castle

You can check how many bikes are available before you head out, and find out more about the Santander Cycles on the Transport for London website. 

Based in Elephant Park’s Elephant Stores, Fix Your Cycle is a one-stop-shop for any budding cyclist. The shop offers bicycle repairs and services, as well as emergency repairs (for things like punctures) with no appointment required. 

You can also just pop in to have a conversation with the team or join a workshop where you’ll receive expert advice on how to look after your bike!

For a full breakdown of cycle routes, Elephant and Castle, be sure to check Transport for London where you can find latest updates, roadworks and upgrades which might be useful before starting your journey. Happy cycling!