6 Scenic New Forest Cycling Routes

The New Forest National Park, just 90 minutes outside of London, is home to ancient woodland, vast heathland, pretty villages and scenic coastal paths, making it an excellent choice for a countryside getaway.

And, with over 140 miles of designated cycling paths, as well as quiet and scenic country roads, the New Forest is perfect for cycling. Whether you prefer to ride a mountain, electric, gravel or road bike, the large network of New Forest cycling routes means that there’s something for everyone.

This article will outline 6 of the best New Forest cycling routes, all of which have something unique to offer — whether that’s wildlife, coastal scenery, woodland scenery or a little bit of history.

Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary from Burley

Distance: 9.2 miles | Map: Click here

Starting in Burley, this scenic ride will take you through the forest to Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary before returning to Burley via Bolderwood Arboretum Ornamental Drive and the Anderwood Inclosure.

I recommend that you absolutely spend some time at Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary once you arrive there. It’s free to visit, and you have a good chance of spotting some deer. There is a designated deer viewing platform, as well as a series of circular trails which you can follow around the sanctuary.

Northern Forest Circular

Distance: 17.8 miles | Map: Click here

Lots of people reckon that the views found in the north of the New Forest are some of the best. On the 10-mile Northern Forest Circular, you’ll be able to see for miles across rolling hills, witnessing the spectacular heather plains, woodland, and picturesque hamlets. The route also passes by a few pubs on the way, so you can stop for refreshments as much as you like!

Brockenhurst to Lyndhurst Circuit

Distance: 10.7 miles | Map: Click here

If you’re looking for a bike ride that will allow you to see lots of New Forest ponies, the Brockenhurst to Lyndhurst circuit is one of the best. This circular New Forest cycling route will loop you from Brockenhurst to Lyndhurst and back, taking you through beautiful forest enclosures and open heathland, where the four-legged locals like to graze.

Brockenhurst and Lyndhurst are two of the most major towns in the New Forest, so I suggest stopping for coffee or lunch and taking some time to explore both towns. My personal recommendation for lunch is The Forester’s Arms in Brockenhurst — a beautiful country pub with a nice beer garden.

Tip: If you plan to do a lot of cycling in the New Forest, I recommend basing yourself in Brockenhurst, as this is right in the heart of the New Forest and you’ll find lots of designated cycling trails easily accessible from here. I often stay at Long Meadow Campsite and really rate it.

Milford-on-sea to Lymington via The Solent Way

Distance: 10.9 miles | Map: Click here

As the name would suggest, the New Forest does have some very scenic woodland, but it also boasts a coastline to the south. Along this coastline is The Solent Way, a 60-mile walk from Milford-on-sea to Emsworth. The Solent Way is also great to cycle on, and the section from Milford-on-sea to Lymington makes for an easy yet enjoyable bike ride.

You’ll start the route at Hurst Spit, from where you can see Hurst Castle, before continuing along winding paths through the grasslands of Lymington-Keyhaven Nature Reserve, and along the coastline to the quaint port town of Lymington.

Ornamental Woods

Distance: 14.2 miles | Map: Click here

Starting and ending in Brockenhurst, Ornamental Woods takes cyclists through one of the most beautiful sections of woodland in the New Forest. The route is a little over 14 miles long and is one of the flattest and most family-friendly routes in the New Forest, consisting mostly of off-road cycle tracks.

Ornamental Woods takes cyclists on a circular journey through the forest, through heathland, along country lanes and around the beautiful Blackwater Arboretum. Expect to see plenty of New Forest ponies along the way, and perhaps even some deer if you’re lucky!

Beaulieu to Brockenhurst (and back)

Distance: 16.3 miles (20.3 miles if continuing to Buckler’s Hard) | Map: Click here

Starting in the historic village of Beaulieu, this bike ride will take you through open heathland with great views over a WWII airfield. You’ll pass by Hatchet Pond on your way, the largest freshwater pond in the national park. I recommend stopping here for a while to enjoy the scenery!

You could also extend this bike ride by continuing on to Buckler’s Hard from Beaulieu. From Beaulieu’s village centre, there is a clearly marked sign pointing the way to Buckler’s Hard. You’ll want to follow this route, which is roughly 2 miles long, all the way to Buckler’s Hard.

Buckler’s Hard itself is an old maritime village, with a museum, tea room, views over the Beaulieu River and more. I recommend you visit — it’s usually £7 to enter, but when buying a ticket, I was told I had 20% off for coming on a bike!

New Forest cycling essentials

You can view a complete New Forest cycling map here, which also includes details on where you can hire bicycles and information on the New Forest cycling code.

When to go

While you’re never guaranteed sunshine in England, June to August is the warmest, driest time of the year, providing you with the best chance of good weather. That being said, the school summer holidays are from late July to early September and so prices will be higher and availability more limited during this time. With this in mind, the shoulder seasons (April to May and September to October) are also good times to explore the New Forest cycling routes.

How to get there

South Western Railway regularly runs trains from London Waterloo to Southampton, from where you can get a connecting train to a station within the national park, such as Ashurst, Beaulieu Road, Brockenhurst, Lymington or Sway.

National Express also provide a range of coach services from London and southern England that stop at Lyndhurst, Lymington and Ringwood, as well as other stops in the New Forest.

Visiting the New Forest National Park is free and there are lots of free car parks throughout the forest which provide access to cycling trails.

Being a responsible cyclist

You can cycle on public roads, byways open to all traffic, bridleways, and dedicated New Forest cycle routes. You are not permitted to cycle on public footpaths, over the open forest, or on Forestry Commission tracks which are not dedicated cycle routes.

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Thank you for reading! If you found this post useful, I’d be grateful if you would consider using the affiliate links below when planning your travels. I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you. This will help me to keep this blog running. Thanks for your support – Lauren.

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