Local Explorer Route

Inspired by Birmingham hosting the European Athletics Championships in August 2026 we have created some great local explorer routes so you can have fun discovering Birmingham. Building on our 69wards by bike or foot maps, the routes are mostly traffic free and suitable for all abilities. There are walking and cycling routes for each of the 10 Birmingham constituencies, helping you get outside and discover local greenspaces, hidden gems, heritage sites and cool places to visit.   

All the routes are designed to be self-guided, easy to follow and achievable in one day. Alternatively, you can choose one or two places along the routes to visit and use the route to help plan your journey. 

🚲 Hall Green & Moseley – Nature Escape 

A moderate distance of 15miles though still a gentle cycle for all abilities, showcasing traffic free greenways, Birmingham parks, greenspaces and the low traffic neighbourhood routes around Kings Heath. Starting in Cannon Hill Park you follow the Rea Valley Cycle Route (shared path – National Cycle Network Route 5) to join the canal near Lifford Lane, head over the bridge at Kings Norton junction, then up and over the Brandwood tunnel to Chinn Brook Nature Reserve and around Trittiford park & mill pool (spot the terrapins) and along the Dingles and John Morris Jones Way to Sarehole Mill and Moseley Bog – A glorious traffic free route surrounded by trees and nature.  

For a completely traffic free route you can retrace the route, returning the way you came or continue back to Cannon Hill Park on some road sections and via Highbury Park.  

A great route with plenty of opportunities for a coffee and refuel just off the trails 

Notes 

• This is a moderate ride with a longer distance of 15 miles however still enjoyable if done at your own pace over a whole day with multiple stops along the way.   

• If you’re looking for a shorter route, we suggest choosing one or two highlights to visit and use the route to help plan your journey. For example: following the route along the Rea Valley to Hazelwell Park then retracing the route back to the start would make it a 4mile round trip. 

Cafés / Pitstops 

• Cannon Hill Park – KILN at The Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), The Garden Tearoom 

• Stirchley Highstreet (just off Rae Valley Cycle Route 5) – bakeries, shops, cafés. Many options including Coffee Shack or Levain & Cherry. 

• Shop, chippy, cafe on Broad Lane junction 

• Kings Heath Highstreet (just off Highbury Park) – bakeries, shops, cafés  

• Bike shops – Bike Foundry, Venture Bikes  

Points of Interest 

• Sarehole Mill – Heritage site with working mill with small forest area and mill pond to explore. Charges apply to enter the mill, but grounds are free to visit. Find out more about the heritage site here. 

• Abundance of wildlife throughout the route, with lots of spots to stop and explore 

• Hidden Gem – Golden Lion Inn – Cannon Hill Park – A 16th Century timbered house (currently being renovated)  

• River Rea – The river on which Birmingham was founded in the 7th century by the Beorma tribe 

Green Spaces 

Cannon Hill Park – Opened in 1873, find out more about the history of the park here.  

• Midlands Art Cente (MAC) – Contemporary arts centre with exhibitions, courses & live performances, plus an indie cinema and cafe. 

• Walking, jogging and cycling routes 

• scale model of the Elan Valley Reservoirs 

• Parkrun every Saturday morning 

• Children’s parkrun every Sunday 

• Activities (fees apply) Land train, Fun park, Swan Lake boating, 36-hole mini putting golf course, Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park 

• 2 children’s play areas 

• Floodlit tennis courts 

Pebble Mill Recreation Ground  

• Community orchard 

• 2 football pitches 

Chinn Brook  

• Nature Reserve 

• Meadows 

• Recreation Ground and Children’s play area 

Trittiford Mill Park  

• Open greenspace and mill pool  

• A conservation site rich in waterfowl, fish and a variety of bird species  

• Terrapins regularly spotted sunbathing on logs in the mill pool.  

• Walking trails and art murals 

Shire Country Park – A green oasis of open and wooded space including The Dingles and John Morris Jones Way with woodland and winding walks creating a traffic free corridor for walking, wheeling, cycling, and running.   

Sarehole Mill Recreation Ground  

• Open greenspace  

• Walking routes 

• River Cole 

• Wildlife – including kingfishers, woodpeckers and sparrowhawks 

• Sarehole Mill 

Moseley Bog and Joys Wood –  Local nature reserve, conservation area and heritage site.  

• Great walking trails with boardwalk 

• Accessible route suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs 

• Fantastic displays of bluebells in the spring 

• Connections to J R R Tolkien, the author of The Lord of the Rings 

Highbury Park  

• Woodland walks and lake 

• Children’s play areas 

• Highbury Orchard Community 

Public Transport Links  

• Northfield (via Church Hill to start point) 

• Bournville (optional alternative to start or end halfway around the route) 

A few things to remember while you are out exploring these routes: 

• Be prepared – ensure you are wearing suitable shoes and clothing for your activity. Dress for the weather and take water/snacks. 

• If cycling, make sure your bike is in good working order and safe to ride – Do a quick bike check before heading out.

• Please be extra careful when near open water. 

• When cycling always follow the Highway Code.  

• Be courteous to others, particularly on towpaths and shared paths. 

• Most of all, have fun! 

ENJOY exploring your chosen route. We’d love to see what you get up to and hear what you think of the routes so remember to tag @ecobirmingham when sharing your adventures on social media or send us a quick message.  

The development of this route and activities in Birmingham has been supported by: