Cycle the Wolf Way

The Wolf Way is a 248 mile/400km cycling adventure around Suffolk. Winding its way around many of the best bridleways, byways, gravel tracks, cycle paths and quiet back roads, it takes in some of Suffolk’s most beautiful locations and hidden gems.

From the 1000 year old Abbey of St Edmund to the Roman cities of Ipswich and Dunwich, Suffolk has a fascinating history. The Wolf Way takes its name from the protector of St Edmund, whose legacy echoes around the whole of Suffolk and East Anglia in place names, monasteries and monuments. It picks up parts of the Icknield Way, one of the ancient ‘King’s Highways’ – wide sandy tracks forged in a time before land enclosure.

Starting by the statue of St Edmund and his guardian the wolf in the Abbey Gardens, you will then head out of town on quiet cycle paths towards Bradfield St Clare. Not far from here is the SSSI Bradfield Woods, a remnant of ancient wildwood, where you can find ancient, coppiced ash trees thought to be 1,000 years old.

The route also takes you through beautiful heathland rich with wildlife, like the stone-curlews at Cavenham Heath, wading birds at Minsmere, and Exmoor ponies helping to re-wild Knettishall Heath. Suffolk has 142 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and you’ll pass close by many of these on the ride. You'll also pay a visit to the most easterly location in the British Isles, at Ness Point in Lowestoft.

The route starts by the statue of St Edmund and his guardian the wolf at the West Front of St Edmundsbury Cathedral in the Great Churchyard, Bury St Edmunds, a short ride from the station.

Wolves once roamed the woods of East Anglia, and their presence has leant a curious theme to our local history.

St Edmund's legend goes that after being killed with arrows and decapitated in Suffolk, the King of East Anglia's body was found but his head was missing. Supporters heard the wolf call them and they found him guarding the king's head, which was then reunited with his body. One of the first of many Edmund miracles.

The Wolf Way was designed and tested by local cycling enthusiasts Chris Bower and Sharon Calton, of Fornham All Saints, so that all levels of rider can experience a cycling adventure.

The Wolf Way is a circular route that starts and finishes in Bury St Edmunds, which can be easily reached by train. There are seasonal variants to make things more interesting.

Main Wolf Way route: between April and September, you can take the Deben Ferry from Felixstowe Ferry to Bawdsey Quay.

Winter Wolf: from October to March, this version takes you via a spectacular coastal bridleway through Trimley Marshes.

East Wolf: a shorter option (171 miles/274km) that starts and finishes at Ipswich rail station, heading up the east coast to Ness Point then looping back via Ed Sheeran’s ‘Castle on the Hill’ in Framlingham.

Wolf Cub: this 60 mile/100km loop provides a taster of the Wolf Way which can be completed in a day.

If you have lots of time, you could even combine the Wolf Way with the Rebellion Way for a wonderfully rewarding loop around Suffolk and Norfolk.

For the full route, visit Cycling UK and download the Discover Suffolk app.

If you're enjoying a stay in Bury St Edmunds and haven't brought along your bicycles, you needn't miss out! Eezybike's electric bikes have a 50 miles radius, big fat tyres, baskets and even passenger seats, so whilst you might not be able to cycle the whole route, you can enjoy the first part around Bury St Edmunds.

For the keen cyclists among you, cycle supplies for your own bike can be bought from Cycle King, Mick's Cycles and Maglia Rosso Cycle Centre.