Where to Ride: South
From Gloucestershire in the north to Dorset on the coast, the South region is a real haven for cycling. There are many miles of quiet lanes in the Wiltshire and Hampshire Downs, traffic free converted railway paths around Bristol and Bath and the timeless Kennet and Avon Canal, to name just three of the region's many options.
Gloucestershire boasts great, scenic cycling for all kinds of rider. The Peregrine Path from the Welsh border town of Monmouth to the stunning vantage point of Symonds Yat is a great family trail. Both road and off-road riders will find a haven of tranquillity and some challenging riding in the Forest of Dean. Elsewhere in the county, the beauty of the Cotswolds has long been an irresistible draw for cyclists. The county is also blessed with five National Cycle Network routes, with more in the pipeline. For more information on cycling in Gloucestershire, go here.
The Bristol and Somerset area is positively crammed with National Cycle Network routes. The Pill Path at Avonmouth and the Bristol to Bath Railway Path are the most well known and are within easy reach of the city. Further west, The Colliers' Way is a 19 mile trail on converted railway and quiet roads linking Dundas Aqueduct (near Bath) with Frome. For more information on cycling in the area go here.
Cyclists in Wiltshire are well served with a great network of signposted routes from the largely canal towpath based Kennet and Avon Cycle Route, to the whopping, 160 mile circular Wiltshire Cycleway - don't panic, you don't have to ride it all in one go! For more info go here.
Dorset's cycling credentials are second to none, with the Purbecks, Hardy country and Wareham Forest to choose from in the south of the county - stunning coastlines, sleepy villages, rolling hills and wonderful heathland await. Further north the North Dorset Cycleway is a fully signed on road route linking Gillingham, Shaftesbury, Farnham, Blandford Forum and Sturminster Newton. For more information on cycling in Dorset go here.
Hampshire boasts the timeless and beautiful New Forest, with great riding opportunities for all kinds of rider. Check out our Where to Ride guide for the area. The ancient South Downs Way is also a prime cycling destination whilst the Isle of Wight boasts a wonderful 49 mile circular route around the island's dramatic coast. For more information on cycling in Hampshire go here.
Ride Guide: Purbecks
Three locally-sourced, hand-reared routes in the beautiful Purbeck area of Dorset. How about a scenic off-roader on Ballard Down, a leafy road ride in the Frome Valley, or a gentle backroad pootle from sunny seaside resort Swanage to historic Corfe Castle? Check it out here.
More Ride Ideas
| ROAD: Rowlands Castle Ramble: Established Hampshire club VC St Raphael show us one of their regular training routes starting and finishing in Rowlands Castle, with picturesque villages, narrow lanes, rolling hills and most importantly of all, a great post-ride cafe stop! |  |
| LEISURE: River Avon Trail - The Pill Path: The trail passes Brunel's famous Clifton Suspension Bridge, the beautiful Avon Gorge, Leigh Woods and Pill Harbour. |  |
| LEISURE: Cowes, Isle of Wight: Keep your eyes peeled for rare red squirrels, often sighted along the Medina cycleway. A mixture of quiet country lanes and well-surfaced bridleway on a former railway line. | |
| LEISURE: Yarmouth and Freshwater Bay: Beautiful views of the Western Yar estuary and coastline. Mainly on-road but the roads are quiet. There is also a section of surfaced, traffic-free, cycleway. | |
| LEISURE: New Forest Riverside Ride: A gentle 6 mile potter, mostly off road on gentle trails enjoying forested sections, river views and the historic village of Buckler's Hard, with it's famous shipyard. | |
| LEISURE: Purbeck Leisure Rides: Purbeck District Council has produced six cycle rides , suitable for a variety of ages and abilities, ranging from 8 to 47 miles. | |
| MTB: Purbeck Off Road Rides: Some great rides on the Isle of Purbeck courtesy of www.virtual-swanage-co.uk |  |
