Cycling in HampshireCycling in Hampshire is blessed by countless beautiful routes through rolling, gentle and sometimes steep, green countryside for all states of fitness and ideas.
Chalk downland, woods and farmland. Pretty villages with their chuckling streams and thatched cottages abound. Ancient towns and cities tell the history of the country, not just the county. Our children are special and they do love cycling. Many routes have the odd hazard and children should be kept safe. Check the route before you suggest it!!! Have Fun!!! Town Maps Some very useful town cycle maps to download and print. Basingstoke, Eastleigh, Fareham, Locks Heath, Porchester and Stubbington, Gosport, Portsmouth, Southampton, Winchester.There are four major Sustrans cycling routes in the county NCN 2, the route that, when it is eventually completed will run all along the south coast from Kent to Cornwall. It has some opened sections in Hampshire The trail will follow along from delightful Emsworth, through Portsmouth and Southampton, and wend its way through the beautiful New Forest. NCN 22, only a small section is open on this route from Havant to Farnham. NCN 23 is the Reading to Sandown cycling route. Not all is open yet but quite a few parts are. From the Hampshire border the route runs to Basingstoke, a distance of 22 miles. From there the route runs to the link to Alton and Alresford across the rolling chalk downs. The route to Winchester is not yet open. There are two sections open on the Winchester to Eastleigh sector where NCN 24 begins, but at the moment the route is only at the proposed stage in the centre. It is not open between Eastleigh and Southampton yet. The Isle of Wight section from Cowes via Newport to Sandown is open. NCN 24, runs from Eastleigh at the junction with NCN23 over the county boundary into Wiltshire and the lovely city of Salisbury From there it runs to Somerset and the interesting port city of Bristol. Other Long Trails The National Byway. In Hampshire this centres on England’s ancient capital, Winchester , not surprisingly. Cycle routes extend out westwards in two loops, the northern loop via Salisbury the southern through Dorset to Shaftesbury. An eventual route will leave Winchester and extend eastwards to Canterbury. South Downs Way. 100 miles, 3 day cycling break, of beautiful trail from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in Sussex. Also a trail for walkers and horse riders. Starting point is the National Trust property of City Mill in Bridge Street, Winchester. Ends at the western end of the Promenade at Eastbourne. Stunning - entirely within Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Passes over both Butser Hill and Ditchling Beacon. The South Downs are about to become a National Park. Shorter routes East Hampshire. 22 miles. Circular cycling trail through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Starts and ends at the Petersfield Railway Station. Some very steep climbs and wonderful views. Because of some hazardous crossings children should be accompanied. Lindford to Alice Holt. Six and half miles. The linear cycle route starts at the junction of the B3004 and B3002 at Lindford and runs through countryside and through part of the Alice Holt Forest. Not recommended for children under ten and with a few hazards, older ones should be supervised. Test Valley Tour Cycle Routes. This is the wish you were here country of the Test and Bourne Valleys, so heart achingly beautiful whatever the season.Very challenging Route A. Starts and finishes in Vernham Dean Sports field. 22 miles of off road cycling, very hilly and lovely countryside. Challenging Route W. Starts and finishes in Vernham Dean Sports field. Eleven and half miles of an undulating, off road, circular route passing through the very pretty villages of Upton, Ibthorpe, Linkholt and Littledown. Experienced Route B. 52 miles, covering most of the Test and Bourne Valley plus. Make a short break of this rather special ride. Starts and finishes in the Sports field at Vernham Dean. Wanders through the villages of Upton, Hurstbourne Tarrant, St Marybourne, Hurstbourne Priors, Longparish, Wherwell, Fullerton, Longstock, Stockbridge, Houghton and Mottisfont. Returning north again the trail follows through Broughton, the Wallops, Grateley, Amport, East Cholderton, Thruxton, Fyfield, Ragged Appleshaw and Clanville. Beautiful. Moderate to Challenging Route V. Either the staggering twelve and half or the shorter nine and half miles. Very steep in places with wonderful views of the surrounding countryside. Moderate Route X1 From Broughton 12 miles, circular, off road. Links with Route X. Passes through Broughton Down Nature Reserve and Nether Wallop back to Broughton over a downland trail. Intermediate Route C. On road, 33 miles starting and finishing at the Wherwell Sports Pavilion.
Route Y. On road through quiet lanes. 25 miles, starting and finishing at Broughton Village Hall. Passes through the Wallops and Grateley to Monxton. Starting south again the trail travels to Abbotts Ann over the A343 to Fullerton. Back along the River Test to Longstock and Stockbridge. Over the A30 the trail continues along the river to Houghton and from there back to Broughton. Route D. 22 miles on road starting and finishing at Kings Somborne Village Hall. Goes through pretty Crawley, the chocolate box village of Wherwell, passes the lovely Longstock Water Gardens, Houghton and Horsebridge back to Kings Somborne. Easy Route D1. 15 miles, starting and finishing at Kings Somborne Village Hall. Passes through Horsebridge, over the Testway family bike route then follows the River Test to Mottisfont. This pretty village has the National Trust property Mottisfont Abbey complete with its lovely rose garden - well worth a visit. The trail then passes Dunbridge station, the nearest to Mottisfont Abbey, and continues to Michelmersh. After Eldon it is downhill with sweeping views back to Kings Somborne. Route E. Circular from and to the lay by on the Stockbridge Road at Timsbury. 8 miles on road. Not for children as part of it travels along the fast A3057 on the outward leg. Take a picnic as the trail travels alongside the beautiful River Test on the inward leg. The National Trust property of Mottisfont Abbey is along the route. Route F. Circular from and to the lay by on the Stockbridge Road at Timsbury. 12 miles on road. Not suitable for children as part of the route passes along the A3057.The trail runs from Timsbury to Braishfield passing Hillier Gardens and on to Kings Somborne. It then passes through Horsebridge and over the River Test before travelling south again to Mottisfont and the Abbey. From there it is a run home to Timsbury. Route X. 11 miles off road, starting and finishing at Broughton Village Hall. Everyone can enjoy this one, a route for a family day out. Children should be supervised as there is a busy road for a short stretch and other hazards. Follows partly along the lovely Testway cycle trail. Stockbridge is about the halfway point for the inevitable ice cream. Route X2. Circular,10 miles mainly off road, starting and finishing at Stockbridge Church. One for those who do not like hills. The trail passes along part of the old Sprat and Winkle Railway track past Leckford. A run then to Longstock House and out over a byway. A short stretch can be a bit rough going along here and some cyclists may prefer to push their bike through this bit. Back on to a track for a short stretch and a possible detour to Danebury Iron Age Hill Fort. Back again on the byway until the T Junction and turn right back towards Stockbridge along the road and over the bridge. Route Z, start and finish at Lockerley Village Hall, 12 miles on road with not many hills and those not too bad. The trail makes for Carters Clay and down over the A27 to East Wellow. Here lies Florence Nightingale in the churchyard of St Margarets. It is a very simple headstone with the inscription F N 1820-1910. Her grave is amongst the rest of her family. Continue down to the T Junction and turn right if you want a cuppa or an ice cream. If not turn left towards Wellow Vineyard and over the A27 to Awbridge. Continue to Dunbridge and back to Lockerley. Route Z1. 10 miles on road, start and finish at Lockerley Village Hall. Not completely flat, but gentle enough. The trail wends its way over an old canal bridge at Lockerley Water Farm to East Tytherley and Stony Batter. From there it runs north, turns west and then south again to tiny West Tytherley with its pretty cottages and houses. From this village continue on to Frenchmoor, a deserted medieval village. Cross the railway with real care. Back through East Dean to Lockerley. Off Road Routes Two packs of waterproofed leaflets for a total of 24 off road trails can be bought from Hampshire County Council Information Centres for less than three pounds apiece and cover these routes. Being waterproofed is handy and they are detailed and worth the money. In Pack One Strenuous ones Ox Drove Off Road Cycle Trail, 25 miles of strenuous cycling and is also a horse riding trail. Circular from Abbotstone Down Car Park, two and half miles north of New Alresford on the B3046. Beautiful chalk downs. Whitchurch – Watership Down country. 23 miles of which 14 are off road on a circular route. Strenuous riding. Passes through the downs that inspired Richard Adams to write his popular book, Watership Down. Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Meon Valley. A somewhat challenging 10 mile ride, 7 off road. Starts and finishes at the Butser Hill car park in the Queen Elizabeth Country Park. Views from the top of Butser Hill are brilliant and the Meon Valley is lovely. Take the camera. Cheesefoot Head. 19 miles and all but two of them are off road. Begins at Cheesefoot Head car park on the A272, only two miles outside the county city of Winchester. The Head is an area of Scientific Interest and a beauty spot on the South Downs Way. Another trail where a camera and maybe the binoculars might be an excellent inclusion! Plenty of exercise with the magnificent compensation of excellent views. Winchester off road cycle trail. 26 miles of which 17 are off road. Starts and finishes at the Cheesefoot Head car park on the A272, two miles outside attractive Winchester. There is a useful alternative start in Winchester itself at the Railway Station. Tough going on the outward trail and a bit easier on the return. Plenty of photo opportunities with spectacular wide sweeping views. Farley Mount. A challenging 14 mile route with less than half off road. There are a couple of short cuts that take the ride down to 12 or 13 miles. The ride begins and ends at Crab Wood car park in Farley Mount Country Park on Sarum Road. Woodland and downland ride with the villages of Farley, the Sombornes, Sparsholt and pretty Littleton. Danebury. 24 miles of which 15 are off road. There is a short cut route of 15 miles. Starts at the Danebury Iron Age Hill fort car park a couple of miles west of Stockbridge. There is an Iron Age Museum in Andover which would merit a visit before visiting Danebury, lots of artefacts. Some tough going, some quite easy. The easy bit is along the Testway cycle trail by the lovely River Test. Moderate ones Abbotstone Down to Abbotstone Down,18 miles with 14 of them off road. So special in springtime. A ride amongst the lovely chalk downs and woods in a landscape that has prehistoric connections. Newfound to Newfound via Overton. 7 miles off road. This bike ride can start at the Fox pub at Newfound on the B3400 or handily at the station at Overton which has South West train connections. Not a difficult ride through charming Hampshire countryside. Overton is a large village, almost a small town. Sparsholt. A 25 mile ride of which 16 are off road. The start as well as the finish is in Farley Mount Country Park at the Crab Wood car park. The Park is about two and half miles on the west side of Winchester on Sarum Road. Open country, woods, little villages and the hills are not too bad. Pleasant ride. Family rides off road Queen Elizabeth Country Park. 10 miles with 8 of them off road. It is the 6 mile short cut that is suitable for families, otherwise moderate. The Park is signposted from the A3, four miles south of Petersfield. Chalk downs, forest, lovely scenery. At the forest entry just past Ditcham there is a very steep slope, might be a good idea to walk down! Testway Cycle Route. Family ride of 5 miles in each direction between Stonymarsh car park on the A3057 to Stockbridge along an old railway track. Stop for some bird watching along the river and passing through the Nature Reserve. Delightful. In Pack Two Strenuous ones Watership Down. 17 miles, 9 of which are off road. Circular cycling trail, begins and ends in the Anchor Road car park in Kingsclere. There is a short cut trail of 11 miles. This challenging ride takes in the beautiful countryside of Ladle Hill and Watership Down where Richard Adams set his delightful children’s book. For a while the trail travels along the Wayfarers Walk. Plenty of hills and lovely scenery. Vernham Dean. 23 miles of which 9 are off road. There is a short cut trail of 16 miles. This one starts very usefully at the Andover Railway Station, Station. Picturesque route if rather rolling and challenging. Hills bring views and this trail is no exception. Plenty of very pretty villages. Petersfield. This one will sort out if you are fit or not!!!!! Tough going. 15 miles, 7 off road. Starts and ends at Petersfield Railway Station. Scenery is magnificent. Take the cam corder – makes a convenient excuse for a stop! Fordingbridge. 21 miles of which 12 are off road cycling. There is a shorter trail of 14 miles. Starts and ends at the Fordingbridge pay and display car park. One for the experienced fit cyclist. The full trail passes Martin Down National Nature Reserve. The short cut passes the Roman villa at Rockbourne. Moderate ones Ellisfield. 13 miles, 9 of which are off road. Cliddesden, the start, is a mile south of Basingstoke, alongside the pond in Church Lane. Alternatively start in Basingstoke and cycle via Brighton Hill, not far. Countryside ride through fields and woods. Peaceful. The Candovers. 16 miles, 5 off road. Starts and ends at Micheldever Woods car park. Micheldever Woods area has been inhabited since prehistoric times and the woods were probably planted by the Saxons. If you fancy a walk before the ride, there is a waymarked archaeological trail which starts in the car park. No cycles in the woods. The villages of Micheldever and East Stratton are picturesque. Horndean. South of the county. 14 miles of which half are off road. Shorter trail of 9 miles. Starts and finishes at the Denmead car park between Hambledon Road and Kidmore Lane. Runs for a while along the South Downs Way. Small towns and countryside. Alton. 10 miles of which 7 are off road. Starts and finishes at Chawton Park Wood, Boyneswood Road, in Four Marks, not far from the A31. Woods and open fields. Jane Austin lived in Chawton. Liphook. 9 miles, 6 off road. Starts and ends at the Liphook Railway Station. An attractive route that passes through woodland, through the villages of Bramshott, where there is a War Cemetery with Canadian graves from WWII, and pretty Conford. Easy or Family ones Lepe. 9 miles of which 3 are off road. There are two shorter trails, one of 7 miles and one of three and half miles. Starts and ends at the Lepe Country Park car park, Fawley. Lepe Park is lovely, right on the coast with views across to the Isle of Wight . The ride itself is not for children as there are a few hazards. Hayling Billy. 5 miles, all off road. Linear cycle trail. Starts at the car park at the back of the Esso garage at North Hayling Halt on Havant Road in Hayling. Walkers and horse riding trail as well. Wheelchairs in summer time. Runs along the eastern side of Langstone Harbour a site of Special Scientific Interest. Waterbirds abound. Beautiful.The trail ends at the junction of Station Road and Sinah Lane in West Town. There is a beach here for a relaxing stop before going back. If your destination is Portsmouth the ferry is at the western tip of the island, not far away. West Wood. A short one, only three and half miles. Starts and ends in the Hawthorn car park at Farley Mount Country Park. This is a pretty ride through woodland, all off road within the country park. Cycling in the New Forest A very special area, England’s smallest National Park. William the Conqueror decided in 1079 he would have a hunting forest. What he did to protect it is still the way it is done today – nearly 1000 years later. His legacy is priceless. Before you leave on your day out ask for the New Forest Breakfast at your B&B – delicious breakfast with all local produce! Well why not – you can work it off cycling! Cycling, walking and horse riding trails cover the forest. See the ponies, watch the wildlife in the heathlands and the woods and just relax in such peaceful surroundings. New Forest Tour. Routes are not suitable for children alone. Route 1 Six and half miles mainly off road. From Hollands Wood campsite, Brockenhurst to Beechen Lane, Lyndhurst through the forest. Ideal for spotting the enchanting ponies and the shy deer. Route 2. Beechen Lane, Lyndhurst to Hatchet Pond, East Boldre. Eight miles of medium level cycling on gravel forest tracks. A few hills along the way. Route 3. Brockenhurst to Rhinefiled Tall Trees. This is a lovely 8 mile ride is through forest and heathland and under tall Douglas firs. Beautiful scenery. Ride 4. Queens Meadow Brockenhurst to Rhinefield and New Park. Experience Rhinefield Drive and some of the tallest firs in the country. Pedal along gravel tracks. Visit the Wildlife Conservation Area at Queens Meadow. 11 miles with just a few gentle hills. Ride 5. Lymington to the Isle of Wight This one is a bit different! Take the ferry from Lymington to Yarmouth in the Isle of Wight. There are two options. Route 5 runs 6 miles to Freshwater Bay with lovely scenery along the River Yar. 5a is for those who want the full tour via Alum Bay, with lots of hills and all on road. 9 miles.
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