Family Routes

The New Forest is the ideal cycling destination for families wanting safe off-road and gentle cycle routes. We have over 100 miles of care free waymarked routes, where you can experience tracks through the open heathland, near our coastline and our sheltered woods. See if you can spot our resident New Forest ponies, deer, cattle or donkeys on your travels.

During the summer months you can jump on the New Forest Tour Bus to link in with your cycle routes to really get around and see more - and more importantly give any little legs a rest.

Here are four of our top family-friendly cycling routes in the New Forest:
 

Beaulieu to Buckler’s Hard

The shortest of our family routes at just 2 miles each way. Start your day with a visit to the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, home of World of Top Gear and a host of other attractions including Palace House. From here you can follow along the path besides the Beaulieu River as it meanders its way to the picturesque village of Buckler’s Hard.

The majority of this route is away from traffic and is on the shared gravel footpath. Not only can you combine this route with visits to both Beaulieu and Buckler’s Hard, you can also add on other activities at New Forest Activities such as kayaking. Bike hire is also available from this activity centre if you haven’t brought along your own. There are places at either end of the route that you can stop for refreshments or a bite to eat as well.

Brockenhurst to Lyndhurst

This 6.5 mile route starts at Hollands Wood Campsite at Brockenhurst. From here you get to weave your way past the Balmer Lawn Hotel and into various Forestry Commission Inclosures before taking you to Lyndhurst via gravel tracks. All but 0.2 miles of this route is off-road. The part that is on road is on a quiet lane near to Lyndhurst making it ideal for families.

Along the route look out for the New Forest ponies, donkeys and cattle. If you don’t have your own bike then bike hire is available in Brockenhurst (or Lyndhurst should you choose to do the route in reverse).

South Food Trail

This 7 mile cycling route begins at Brockenhurst and ends up at the village of Burley, a village made famous for its history of witchcraft. Equally, you can start the route in Burley and reserve it towards Brockenhurst. At both villages you will find cycle hire should you need it.

You will also pass several places where you can stop for refreshments or a bite to eat. Be sure to check out the Burley Fudge Shop for a sweet treat or pop into one of the tea rooms for a spot of afternoon tea. Some of this route will take you along the disused railway line near Burley. Cycle hire is available at both Burley and Brockenhurst.

Brockenhurst to Rhinefield Tall Trees

An on and off-road cycle route, your journey begins in the village of Brockenhurst. Pass through the Watersplash on the outskirts of the village and see if you can spot ponies or cattle drinking from the ford here. Journey through our heathland before heading towards Rhinefield Ornamental Drive. You will find some of the tallest and oldest Douglas fir trees in Britain here, so don’t forget to bring your camera along! In total, this route is 10.8 miles long and is graded at easy/medium difficulty so is probably more advisable for older children. Bike hire is available at Cyclexperience in Brockenhurst.

And you can find more family friendly cycling routes in the list below!

Additional cycling information for families
 

If you haven’t brought your bikes with you on holiday, that need not stop you from exploring our cycle paths, simply check out our local bike hire centres which offer a range of bikes, children’s seats, children’s bikes, trailers and more for all the family’s needs. If you have your family dog with you then it doesn’t have to be left behind either, some of our cycle hire companies offer doggy trailers as part of their offering. Helmets, maps and puncture repair kits can usually be hired as well giving you peace of mind on your visit. Bike hire is available at most of our larger towns and villages.

We would recommend getting a map in advance of cycling the area, the Ordnance Survey Explorer map for the New Forest is a great buy and shows the tracks and bridleways which are open to cyclists. Other cycling routes within the New Forest National Park are available on the National Park’s website or can be picked up from the New Forest Centre in Lyndhurst.

If you don’t fancy any of the routes that we have mentioned then another popular place for families to go cycling is at Moors Valley Country Park. Here there are miles of off-road tracks for the family to enjoy. There is also bike hire available here.

Many of our places to stay are cyclist-friendly and have facilities for you and your family to safely store your bikes when you aren’t using them and facilities such as drying areas for kit. Stay at Sandy Balls Holiday Village for example and you can even hire out bikes from them so you can enjoy the open heathland nearby.

Save money on your day out or short break by buying a Go New Forest Card. This card offers discounts off places to visit, things to do, accommodation, eating out and even bike hire in the New Forest, helping you to save pounds off your visit.

Be a Forest Friendly Cyclist
 

The New Forest National Park is a wonderful place to visit and you can help keep it 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.