Car-free guide to UK's national parks

A host of new schemes ? from bike buses to e-bikes for hire ? means it is now easier than ever to explore Britain's national parks using public transportThe Lake DistrictThe Lake District (golakestravel.co.uk) is currently splashing out �6.9m to help you across Beatrix Potter country without mowing down Peter Rabbit's relatives. The programme includes new and improved cycle paths, e-bikes, electric cars, improved signage and a new dedicated bike bus, plus bike space on regular buses in the Central Lakes. You can take the new number 800 bike bus from Windermere rail station north to Whinlatter Forest for mountain bike trails (via Ambleside, Grasmere, Rydal, Keswick and Braithwaite), or to Thirlspot for family-friendly routes around Thirlmere (councilportal.cumbria.gov.uk). The bus runs from May to September (weekends only) with daily buses from 16 July to 31 August. The charge for bikes is the normal single fare plus �1.50.Alternatively, hire one of Lakeland's new e-bikes, launched in February, from nearby Bowness for �15-�25 a day. Take the Windermere ferry for a battery-powered climb to Beatrix Potter's Hill Top (nationaltrust.org.uk/hilltop), or explore the newly restored cycle path along the shore to High Wray and Hawkshead.Peak DistrictIf you like your bike rides and rambles flat, the Monsal Trail (peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/cycle/monsaltrail) in the Peak District is an 8.5-mile scenic saunter along an old railway line between Bakewell and Blackwell Mill, part of 65 miles of traffic-free cycle routes in the Peaks.Ride and Ramble (download for �4.95, nationalparks.gov.uk) gives 20 linear Peaks walks linked with public transport, while bus tickets get users discounts on local attractions, including two for one on the narrow gauge Peak Rail (normal price adults �7.50, children 6-15 years �4, children 3-5 years �2) and discounts to historic buildings, including Haddon Hall (haddonhall.co.uk) (eight minutes by bus from Rowsley).Loch Lomond Combine cycling with a cruise in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. A 30-minute train from Glasgow takes you to Balloch, at the southernmost end of the loch, where you can hire bikes (adults �17 per day, four days �54.50) and ride the largely traffic-free West Loch Lomond Cycle Path (lochlomond-trossachs.org) nine miles to Luss, with its pretty stone cottages and views of Ben Lomond. Hop on a water bus to Balmaha on the eastern shore and rest up before cycling south via Drymen to Balloch along part of National Cycle Network Route 7, or head north for more challenging routes in the Trossachs (incallander.co.uk/trossachscycling.htm).Alternatively, Explorer cruises (cruiselochlomond.co.uk) from Luss and Balmaha, running 31 March to 31 October, offer a relaxing way to take in the scenery (adults �10.50, family of four �26.50).ExmoorCycling across Exmoor is no longer the preserve of the super keen or super fit ? the national park's new electric bikes ? e-bikes ? make it quite possible to have a full day out on the moor and still have the energy left to enjoy a night out in a local pub in the evening (0844 870 7502, exmoorunplugged.co.uk). The scheme was launched in April, and you can pick one up from six points across Exmoor and head out into the wild (from �15 for a half-day to �100 for a week, over-14s only). A fully charged battery will last about 20 miles, with around 20 charging points in local pubs and cafes, including the White Horse Inn, Exford, where you can also sample some local beer knowing you'll have some battery power to see you home. The Moor Rover minibus (exploremoor.co.uk) picks up visitors and bikes, and can be booked all year round from anywhere on Exmoor and has a flat rate single fare of �6 for adults, �2 children ? call 01643 709701 or email moorrover@aol.com to book at least 24 hours in advance. Yorkshire DalesFor those with young families, the Malham Tarn shuttle bus (dalesbus.org/malham.html) allows visitors to explore the glorious Dales without having to tramp up hillsides. It runs from Skipton (gateway to the Dales) rail station to the popular village of Malham with the towering limestone cliff of Malham Cove, and up to England's highest lake, Malham Tarn, and some great walks (malhamdale.com/walking.htm).Week-long parking tickets, costing �14, are available in car parks across the Dales, so you can leave the car behind. Moors Rover tickets offer unlimited travel on Dales buses on Sundays and bank holidays (�8-�10).From Settle, guided walks (free to public transport users) are organised around public transport by Friends of the Settle-Carlisle line and Dales bus ramblers (dalesbusramblers.org.uk, walks free to bus users) and (foscl.org.uk/guided-walks). Or choose your own walk from the yorkshiredales.org.uk site.Brecon BeaconsThe longstanding Beacons Buses arrive in Brecon town from Cardiff, Swansea, Carmarthen and Hereford by 11am on Sundays and bank holidays from 3 June to 30 September. From Brecon, catch the Geopark Circular bus (travelbreconbeacons.info/beacons-bus/beacons-bus-timetable-2012) ? one of many bus tours starting around 11am ? which takes visitors on a circular route around Fforest Fawr Geopark (fforestfawrgeopark.org.uk), the western half of the Brecon Beacons, stopping at Pontneddfechan Waterfalls (breconbeacons.org), Dan-yr-Ogof caves and Penderyn Distillery (single malt "wysgi" ? for research purposes). Hop on and off, until the last return bus leaves the waterfalls at 4pm.A local company, Drover Holidays, provides all-inclusive trips on e-bikes in Brecon and Hay-on-Wye. Self-guided and weekend tours start from �215pp, including B&B accommodation, luggage transfer, bike hire and route maps. Or hire a bike (adults from �27.50 a day) and stay in an eco-friendly home near Brecon (uppermiddleroad.co.uk) ? B&B doubles from �60.Snowdonia For a vintage break, head to Porthmadog, Snowdonia (porthmadog.co.uk), with its beautiful harbour. Pack cucumber sandwiches, tea and cake and take the heritage Ffestiniog and Welsh Highlands railways (festrail.co.uk), with vintage carriages added in busier months. Travel to Blaenau Ffesteinog in the mountains and Caernarfon on the coast (�19.60 and �33 return, respectively; one child travels free with one paying adult, additional children pay half adult fare).For a more active break, the Snowdon Sherpa buses (gwynedd.gov.uk) carry people and bikes on circular routes around Snowdonia from Porthmadog eight times daily on weekdays, or four times on Sundays, and hourly from Caernarfon to Pen-y-Pass for the Snowdon ascent (many single fares �1).Visit the central national parks website for more information about getting to each of the parks: nationalparks.gov.uk/gettingtonationalparks Green travelCycling holidaysShort breaksUnited KingdomLaura Lakerguardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. 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