Stunning scenery, quiet country roads and over 100 miles of off road waymarked cycle tracks make The New Forest the perfect place for long distance cycling.
If you fancy exploring as much as you can by getting close to nature then we’d highly recommend hopping on your bike and taking part in one of our long-distance cycle routes. Here are our suggested long-distance routes:
Lyndhurst to Burley
This is the longest of our routes at 25 miles however you can extend or shorten the route using off-road tracks and country roads.
The route starts in the heart of the New Forest, Lyndhurst before going via Minstead, Bolderwood before taking you under the A31 as you finish off in Burley. At Burley you can sample some of the Burley Fudge or New Forest Cider or pick up some souvenirs of your visit.
Northern Forest Circular
This 17.8 mile cycling route is a great way to explore everything the north of the forest has to offer and see some stunning landscapes.
Begin this route Appleslade car park and cycle past some beautiful rolling hills where you can see for miles over heathland and woodland. You will pass by plenty of places to stop for a refuelling of energy from delicious food and drink .
Brockenhurst to Rhinefield
An 11 mile circular cycling route which begins from Brockenhurst railway station. This route will take you along the wonderful Rhinefield Drive and into the woodland on Forestry England managed gravel tracks. You will also get to see the Wildlife Conservation Area at Queen’s Meadow as it takes you towards Lyndhurst and the New Park Inclosure that is home to the New Forest Show in July each year. There is a mixture of on and off-road sections but this route is graded as easy/medium, with only a few gentle hills.
Looping Lepe & Exbury
A circular cycle route which starts from Lepe Country Park, which overlooks the Solent. This easy-going trail passes through the settlements of Langley and Blackfield and the edges of Sprat’s Down Wood. If you don’t fancy doing the whole 9 miles of the trail then there are shortcut areas which you can come off to make it a 3.5 mile or 7 mile journey. There is a café at Lepe Country Park should you wish to end your journey with some refreshments.
And you can find more Long Distance Cycling Routes in the list below!
Other long-distance routes
Other long-distance cycle routes are available on the New Forest National Park’s website including the 15-20 mile Lymington to Sway ride. It is well worth downloading the New Forest National Park Cycle Routes map giving you lots of information on the on and off-road routes that you can take in the area as well as handy information on nearby parking, places of interest and refreshment stops.
Look out for long-distance cycling events that you can participate in too – simply keep an eye on our what’s on pages for details.
Other useful information for cycling in the New Forest
Cycle hire is available from several towns and villages within The New Forest including mountain bike, hybrid and road bike hire. Brockenhurst, Lyndhurst and Burley, all mentioned above, have cycle hire shops. We strongly recommend that you book bike rental in advance of your visit particularly during school holidays and weekends to avoid disappointment. Equipment such as helmets, maps and puncture repair kits can also be hired.
If you want to make a break of it, then don’t forget to look out for accommodation providers offering the Cyclists Welcome award. Facilities can include places to keep your bike securely, kit drying areas, areas to wash off mountain bikes and muddy kit and maps and route guides which you can borrow.
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.
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.
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