Exercising in the New Forest should be done locally, where possible, during lockdown. Please plan ahead when cycling in the New Forest and find out more about our local car parks and toilet facilities in the New Forest here. Please always follow the New Forest Code and take some extra precautions at this time when cycling in the New Forest.
Please see our webpage for further information about the New Forest and COVID-19.
Cycling in the New Forest gives you a chance to truly experience all the great things we have to offer and get close to our amazing nature. Ancient woodland, heaths, pretty villages and a 40-mile ‘secret’ coast and cycle-friendly accommodation are just some of the amazing things we have to offer cyclists. Plus, here in the New Forest, the real bonus is there are over 140 miles of car-free approved cycle trails.
There are a multitude of options for the cyclist in the New Forest, whether you prefer to ride mountain bikes, hybrid bikes, electric bikes, gravel bikes or road bikes. Take a look at the various cycling options available to you below. It doesn’t even matter if you don’t have your own bike, there are several places here where you can hire bikes for a day, for longer stays, or for a few hours.
Top 5 cycling routes in the New Forest
With so many to choose from, we’ve narrowed it down to some of our most popular cycling routes for you to follow in the New Forest :
- The Old Railway (9 miles)
Follow the ‘Castleman’s Corkscrew’ from Brockenhurst to Burley on this easy/medium ride. This ride will take around 2-3 hours, depending on your cycling abilities, and is a great route to explore all of the landscapes and wildlife in the New Forest.
- Ride to The Old Station Tea Rooms (6.34 miles)
This shorter route is a fantastic choice for families, heading from the mysterious village of Burley, down a quiet country road and through the forest to the lovely Old Station Tea Rooms. The Old Station Tea Rooms is the perfect place to enjoy some refreshments and a snack to boost your energy back up again after a fun cycle ride.
- Ashurst to Lyndhurst Loop (14 miles)
For a longer adventure, this brilliant looped route in the heart of the New Forest is perfect. Taking you past gorgeous open views of the forest, where you will be able to spot our free roaming ponies and cattle and enjoy our lovely flora and fauna. Follow wonderful gravel tracks through the forest and along smooth country roads.
- Looping Lepe and Exbury (9.3 miles)
Cycle along our coastline on this circular route starting from Lepe Country Park, down forest tracks and bridleways and through some of our lovely, quaint villages in the New Forest. This cycling route is great for those looking for a more relaxed ride!
- Northern Forest Circular (17.8 miles)
For a bit more of an intense bike ride, take this longer route across the beautiful north of the New Forest, where you’ll be able to see for miles across rolling hills, magical heathland and you may even see some of our free roaming animals along the way. If you need a break along the way, you will be riding past some lovely country pubs and cafes.
Family-friendly cycling routes
We have miles of off-road tracks, where you can enjoy easy and relaxed cycling and see thousands of free-roaming ponies and cattle, perfect for families or those simply wishing to enjoy a leisurely ride at their own pace.
If you fancy cycling a family challenge then the 7 mile route at Short Standing Hat is a firm favourite. All of this route is onoff-road tracks, perfect for getting those pedals turning! Cycle through Forestry England inclosures and see how many animals you can spot along the way. Bikes can be hired from Cyclexperience, found next to Brockenhurst railway station so you don’t even need to travel to the area by car (you will need to cycle from Cyclexperience to the starting point of this route, which is along a road).
Slightly longer is the Rhinefield Ornamental Woodland route, which is just under 11 miles and is a looped route starting and finishing at Brockenhurst Village centre. This route is predominantly off-road with easy-to-ride forest tracks through the gorgeous Ornamental woodland passing stunning scenery and loads of wildlife and nature.
If you’re based in Burley you can hire a bike from Forest Leisure Cycling and enjoy riding one of their many suggested routes from the village. Or you can follow our Burley Hill Fort route, which is just over 9 miles and loops all the way around Burley Village, where you will cycle on the old railway and over Castle Hill..
After an exciting day of cycling, exploring and soaking up the New Forest’s heritage, you may find the smallest members of your family sleep very soundly!
Off-road cycling
The majority of our cycling routes here in the New Forest feature a strong element of off-road cycling. Plus, our off-road cycle network is easily accessible by rail or road so whether you prefer to bring your own bikes or hire them here when you arrive, there are several options available.
With the increased hire and sales of Gravel Bikes, the New Forest is the perfect place to visit for Gravel Cycling, with our 140+ miles of gravel tracks for you to follow. Most of our routes follow our waymarked gravel tracks, so check them out and explore the New Forest. The Woods Cyclery and also Forest Leisure Cycling both hire out Gravel Bikes (medium and large sizes available).
From The Woods Cyclery there are many routes that you can follow and explore the New Forest like never before! Take a look at our Lyndhurst to Hatchet Pond route, where you will start off at the cycle hire shop and end up at the New Forest's largest body of open water, with fabulous views and wildlife surrounding, this is a great place for a picnic. The Woods Cyclery will also have suggested routes available in store and also maps that you can buy for yout adventure.
Hire a bike from Cyclexperience and enjoy one of their suggested routes or one of our off-road routes from Brockenhurst. Cycle our Brockenhurst to Lyndhurst route, which is an 11 mile circular route going around one side Brockenhurst to Lyndhurst and back to Brockenhurst again through the forest on the otherside. Lyndhurst makes a great half way stop and is perfect for a spot of energising cake and a refreshing drink!
Equally, Forest Leisure Cycling, based in Burley, have lots of predominantly off-road routes for you to follow and we also have some routes from Burley that you can take too. Forest Leisure's 24 mile Rhinefield Ride is one such example, this adventurous ride is mainly on gravel tracks and takes in Bolderwood and the Ornamental Drive. Or, if you fancy a shorter ride that’s nearly 100% off road then why not cycle their 8½ mile Woodland Trail route?
It is important that you say on the waymarked trails/gravel track when out in the forest, there have been made to protect the environment and potential harm to habitats and wildlife. If you're brining your own bike, ensure that you plan your route first (this is part of the fun!) with a map or an App and start from a car park which has direct access to the waymarked trails, making sure it's not just a pony track that may take you through areas with sensitive habitats or may make you lose your way - the rule of thumb in the forest is that if you aren't on a track which is the width of a car, then you're probably on the wrong trail! New Forest National Park Authority have a map of the whole cycle network in the national park, that you can download and view from their website, or cycle hire shops have them available for you to purchase.
Long distance cycle routes
For the more advanced cyclist, our long distance cycle routes offer both on and off road trips where you can explore all that The New Forest has to offer.
The 25 mile Lyndhurst to Burley route is a great example. The route can be shortened or extended using off road tracks and country lanes depending on your preference.
Another great long distance route is the Sandy Balls Loop - which can be done by all ages and abilities (great for families staying at Sandy Balls Holiday Village). This route is 19.65 miles long, but it's so much fun and you will see so many great views along the way.
All our cycle hire shops are also have a wealth of information about longer distance routes that you can enjoy, with apps, maps and equipment available to buy or hire. Forest Leisure Cycling have ‘The Royal Oak Ride’ which is one of their more challenging routes, a 32 mile journey to the northwest boundary of the forest and passing several country pubs along the way. If you fancy some sea air on your cycle then why not enquire with Brockenhurst-based Cyclexperience with their ‘Seaside Ride’. This circular 23 mile route passes through Lymington, along the Solent to Keyhaven before returning to Brockenhurst.
No matter which ride you choose to do in the New Forest, please ensure that you read our ever important Cycling Code before you head off on your journey so that you have the best and safest experience possible.
Bike Hire in the New Forest
If you need to hire a bike when you are here there are cycle hire shops at various locations in the New Forest that offer a wide range of different types of bikes, from mountain bikes to electric bikes (e-bikes), road bikes and kids bikes. Some also hire out trailers for both dogs and children and also childseats and even tandems. Our cycle hire shops are ideally located around the New Forest, in Burley you will find Forest Leisure Cycling, in Brockenhurst is Cyclexperience and in Lyndhurst is The Woods Cyclery, there are other bike hire shops located in Beaulieu and Godshill (near Fordingbridge) too.
Guided Cycle Rides in the New Forest
Enjoy exploring our gorgeous New Forest on 2 wheels while following expert guides from Wild New Forest, that will show you the way along the forest tracks, while stopping off at historic sites, fascinating nature and telling you interesting stories and facts about the New Forest. Their guided bike rides are dotted all across the New Forest on a regular basis, so check out when you can next join and book on.
Be a Forest Friendly Cyclist
The New Forest National Park is a wonderful place to visit and you can help it stay that way by being a Forest friendly visitor.
Cycling is allowed only on the waymarked tracks and other designated routes. When approaching people and animals, call out a warning and pass slowly and wide. Try to leave gaps for overtaking vehicles and never ride more than two abreast. Keep to a safe speed, wear bright colours to be visible and always use lights in the dark.
what3words
We have added the 'what3words' location for the starting point of each cycle route to the webpage for the seperate routes. If you haven't done so already, you can download the app of this fantastic mapping and directions system onto your phone. Look for 'what3words ///' on the cycle route pages. See here an app guide on searching and navigating to a what3words address.
New Forest Cycling Holidays
We have nearly 70 hotels, guest houses, B&Bs and self-catering cottages signed up to our Cyclists’ Welcome scheme – so you’ll be assured of all the help and assistance you need to enjoy the perfect New Forest cycling break. Many provided secure places to store your bike and equipment as well as suggestions for routes in and around the area. Look out for the logo when you're on business pages.
Cycling events in The New Forest
Look out for a variety of cycling events that take place throughout the year in The New Forest. Whether you fancy a long distance or perhaps a more sedate ride, keep an eye on our what’s on pages for top cycling events taking place across the National Park.
Take a look at the various routes below and plan your next cycling adventure!
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