Cycling in the New Forest
Off road activities you'll love!
New Forest cycling is a must......why?
Imagine the combination of you, your bike, over 100 miles of Forestry Commission owned off road cycle tracks....all
in the beautiful New Forest.
The photo above shows sixth form students enjoying a sponsored ride out on off road tracks whilst raising funds for The Libra Foundation. Find out more about
The Libra Foundation
and how you may be able to help raise funds for children in Romania through a sponsored New Forest cycle.
What better way to really experience and explore this beautiful area?
Here are some of my personal recommendations for your New Forest cycling adventure on two (or more!)wheels.
The main areas I've covered here are:
Brockenhurst, Bolderwood, Burley, Lyndhurst and Fordingbridge and the N.W. area.
Here's what this page can offer you from my personal recommendations
- Villages to cycle from and hire your bike
- The very best bike hire places I know
- Routes and Trails to cycle on
- How to cycle safely
- Suggestions if you want to go further afield like Dorset or the Isle of Wight
Brockenhurst..If you need to hire a bike it couldn't be simpler.
Cyclexperience offer two locations in Brockenhurst, both close to the railway station so you can come by train or car.
You can hire or even buy your bike here and as much gear as you might need.
- They're open all season
- Can deliver to your hotel
- Offer Traffic Free Routes and trails
- Offer Corporate Days - chill our or team build!
Find out more from my
Cyclexperience in Brockenhurst page
Brockenhurst
Country Lanes is an active travel company. They are based in a railway carriage right beside the Brockenhurst railway track!
As well as hiring a bike here you can book your cycling holiday.
Here's what they offer
- trafffic free cycling on New Forest tracks
- Well researched, easy to follow routes for all ages
- Free use of safety helmet, lock and key
- On site parking and easy access by rail
Find out more from my
Country Lanes New Forest bike hire page
Burley
This is a very popular village too and has lots of lovely trails to follow to really enjoy the New Forest up close!
Forest Leisure Cycle Hire in Burley offer
- Rides for all ages
- Open all year
- Lovely routes and trails
- Free parking
Find out more from my
Forest Leisure Cycling Activities Hire page
Fordingbridge and the North Western area of the New Forest
This area is away from the main tourist areas and one of
my favourites.
It is a quieter area and so you should encounter less traffic as you puff up and down the hills on your bike. I often meet families having a wonderful day out.
The road traffic that you may encounter is mainly local people just getting about and so you should be able to stop easily, park the bike and have a good look at the animals.
If you don't see a donkey on this cycle, I'll be surprised.
The best place to hire a bike for a great day out in this area is at the Sandy Balls Holiday Centre
-one of the best New Forest cycling and bike hire centres for all the family.
If you arrive with your own bike they are also great at
bike repairs...... and for biking gear too.
Why does your chain break at the furthest
point from home when you're out - usually after you've just left the pub?
Find out more from my
Sandy Balls New Forest Bike Hire page
.
You can base your holiday at the Sandy Balls Holiday Centre if you want.
They have luxury lodges, lodges and a fleet of modern holiday homes and pitches for Ready Tents and touring and camping pitches, all with the opportunity to use the great leisure facilities.
Add to all this the beautiful woodland surroundings and cycling will be just one of the New Forest activities you do if you stay here.
The New Forest District Council site has some good maps and trails for you to follow.
Route One
Brockenhurst to Lyndhurst - near Hollands Wood Campsite
Route Two
Lyndhurst to East Boldre
Route Three
Brockenhurst to Rhinefield Tall Trees
Route Four
Brockenhurst to Rhinefield and New Park (circular)
- passes Aldridge Hill Campsite
Code of Conduct for you and your bike on the New Forest
this is a large document and loads quite slowly
so you may want to ignore it! You can always get lots of helpful
details of other New Forest activities on offer at the various information points in the New Forest.
Cycling Adventures outside the New Forest
Here are some top routes which can be included in your
holiday if you want to go further afield than the New Forest
for your cycling experience.
FAMILY FUN DAYS OUT - ON YOUR BIKES
Isle of Wight
.
The troll trail between Merstone and Shide is well surfaced, traffic free, and perfect for children who love magic and trolls.
The trail has troll carvings and other types of art
for them to take in all along the trail - and a good excuse for
a break as you all get your breath back.
Follow the Troll Trail
FAMILY - OLDER CHILDREN
The North Wiltshire Rivers Route is quite long, at
25 miles but also includes some magic! It is on quiet lanes
and off roads near Lacock Abbey, where Harry Potter was filmed.
You'll also see the Cherhill White Horse and Avebury
Stone circle, so magic indeeed.
Find out more Wiltshire Routes
DAY RIDES
DORSET
The Purbeck Ride includes wonderful coastal views,
history including Corfe castle and rural idylls.
This is a 47 miles ride and so is not for the novice.
Find out more about
The Purbeck Ride
ISLE OF WIGHT
This is flattish and a round the island cycle,
which means 62 miles so you must be fit and have a good bike.
The sights are to die for and you wont believe where you are.
Find out more and get maps for
Isle of Wight island cycle
If you meet anything like this get off and run!
Only kidding,- like all the activities I'll recommend,
a day on your bikes is just another one where you need to be aware of the animals and take care when out on your bike.
Hopefully you can choose cycling as one of the New Forest activities to do when you visit the forest and take home a truly memorable experience and not too many saddle sores!
Hire the bike, choose the route, put on your biking gear and include a pub stop and you'll have a day to remember.
Happy New Forest cycling!
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