With its picturesque coastal paths, leafy suburban routes, and iconic landmarks, Sydney offers a perfect cycling experience for everyone exploring the city on two wheels. We’re partnering with local legends Josh Kwan and Anthony Nguyen to create this guide.

Josh is an avid cyclist in Sydney who shares his outdoor adventures on YouTube @joshkwan. His friend Anthony is the guy behind the Instagram @pastries.cc, a cycling community in Sydney with a blog on what truly matters: where to reward yourself with pastries after a long ride.

Together, we’ll walk you through the seven best cycling routes and great places to eat around Sydney that Josh and Anthony graciously shared with us. Let’s go for a ride!

7 Best Sydney Cycling Routes

Mount White

Distance: 100,06 km with 1,443 m elevation gain

This popular cycling route follows the Pacific Highway, taking you north of Sydney past the Hawkesbury River. The first section of this ride is the Ferrara on the Pacific Highway. It’s about 30 kilometers long and slightly uphill. Soon, you’ll reach one of the most excellent descents in Sydney, the 4 km Brooklyn descent. The segment ends just before the Brooklyn Bridge, and you move on to the Brooklyn Climb.

Eateries

Estuary Restaurant and Kiosk: Kangaroo Point, 1420 Pacific Hwy, Brooklyn NSW 2083 website | instagram

Pie in the Sky: 1296 Pacific Hwy, Cowan NSW 2081 website | instagram

Josh recommends: “If you get an apple pie, I recommend getting some ice-cream with it.”

The Old Road Cafe: 168-170 Pacific Hwy, Mount White NSW 2250 website

Glenorie Loop

Distance: 111,77 km with 1,631 m elevation gain

The Glenorie Loop is characterized by three climbs: Galston Gorge in both directions and Cattle Ridge Nasty. Like with all Sydney rides in the north, you first head to Hornsby by Pacific Highway. The first ascent of the ride is Galston Gorge West, one of the most technical descents in Sydney with 680-degree switchbacks. It’s rather steady, with some flat sections in the middle.

A reminder from Josh: “About two-thirds of the way through, there’s a roundabout. Make sure you take the second exit and go straight all the way to the T intersection, where you turn left to stay on Galston Road.”

Eateries

Glenorie Bakery: 4/930 Old Northern Rd, Glenorie NSW 2157 website | instagram

Three Gorges

Distance: 91,35 km with 1,448 m elevation gain

Three Gorges is one of Sydney’s most iconic rides, known for its beautiful descents and climbs. You can do it either in the anticlockwise or clockwise direction. The anticlockwise direction takes you first to Bobbin Head, extremely popular with cyclists, then Berowra Waters and Gotham Gorge. On the ride, you will enjoy the beautiful views of Apple Tree Bay and the old truss bridge.

A tip from Josh: “Something to be mindful of is that the bridge at the bottom is one way in direction so you need to watchout for oncoming cars.”

Eateries

Flour Shop: 16 Princes St, Turramurra NSW 2074 website | instagram

Maggio’s Italian Bakery & Pasticceria: 463 Miller St, Cammeray NSW 2062 website | instagram

West Head

Distance: 97,94 km with 1,484 m elevation gain

For a local city ride, West Head is a perfect option. Going to the northern side of Sydney takes you through the beaches of the north and to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Be aware of traffic and ride with a group to ensure safety on the first main section along the northern beaches.

Josh shares: “There’s one challenging section called the Hill of Pain, but you know once you’ve done this the lookout is not too far to go. At this point we’re almost exactly halfway into the ride, so take the chance to have a rest, enjoy the view and have a journal.”

Eateries

Berkelo Terrey Hills: 205 Mona Vale Rd, Terrey Hills NSW 2084 website | instagram

Tastebuds at the Hills: 287 Mona Vale Rd, Terrey Hills NSW 2084 website | instagram

M7 Cycle Path

Distance: 43,8 km with 379 m elevation gain

The M7 cycleway might be the best piece of cycling infrastructure in Sydney. It offers a route with no traffic lights, cars, or riding on the road. With entry points almost at every kilometer, you can start and finish in many locations. One good option is the Conley’s Hills city farm, which has water stops and easy parking. Starting at Preston’s in the south and finishing in Bella Vista in the north, the route has no steep, long climbs. Note that there is just one bubbler for the entire 44 km cyclepath, M7 Cycleway Water Bubbler located at Eastern Creek NSW 2766.

Josh’s warning: “Because it is out west of Sydney, it can get very hot in summer. You can get temperatures easily over 30 degrees.”

Eateries

Good Fella Coffee: G07/5 Celebration Dr, Bella Vista NSW 2153 website | instagram

Bossley Park General Store & Deli: Shop 1/57-59 Mimosa Rd, Bossley Park NSW 2176 website | instagram

TNB Cafe: 1 Rooty Hill Rd S, Rooty Hill NSW 2766 website | instagram

Centennial Park

Distance: 3,75 km with 16 m elevation gain

The most popular cycling route in Sydney takes you to Centennial Park, a perfect place for cyclists of all levels and types. Consider exploring one of its most popular segments, the 5-lap TT.

An idea from Josh: The “Cat ears” route adds a segment off to the side of the park.

Eateries

Tuga Pastries: Shop 6/231 Clovelly Rd, Clovelly NSW 2031 10/112 McEvoy St, Alexandria NSW 2015 website | instagram

A Swedish bakery Funkis Köket Café: 202 Oxford St, Paddington NSW 2021 website | instagram

Humble Bakery: 50 Holt St, Surry Hills NSW 2010 website | instagram

A classic French Lavie & Belle Bakery: 425 Bourke St, Surry Hills NSW 2010 website | instagram

Tenacious Bakehouse, famous for Portuguese tarts: 101 Oxford St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010 instagram

Kurnell and Cape Solander

Distance: 92,77 km with 642 m elevation gain

Kurnell and Cape Solander is a scenic ride along some of Sydney’s most beautiful beaches, offering a spectacular Pacific Ocean view. You can take two different routes to get there from the northern part of the city. The first is suitable for riding with a big group. Ride toward Centennial Park, go into South Dowling Road and then onto Southern Cross Drive.

What would Josh do: “I would only do this route if I’m with a big group. This is quite a busy road and the cars fly past at like 80 km an hour. Make sure you’ve got all your lights on and you’re sticking together in a tight bunch.”

If you’re alone or with a small group, opt for going down Burke Street. Once you get to Zetlands, keep going along here until you get to Princess Highway, staying there all the way down to San Susie. For the rest of the ride, the routes are identical.