Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
Free maps are listed at the bottom of the page.
Hampshire offers a fabulous variety of cycling opportunities. Coastal harbours and busy ports contrast with the tranquility of the New Forest. Brockenhurst at the centre of the New Forest is easily accessed by rail, and there are several cycle hire outlets in the town.
The Isle of Wight offers stunning scenery and many traffic free trails, making it a perfect cycling destination for families and experienced cyclists alike. The train links from Portsmouth, Southampton and Lymington are excellent, and combined with the numerous ferry links to the Isle of Wight, offer many ways to explore the unique coastlines of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. See below for route inspiration. Alternatively, take a look at our suggested Day rides in Hampshire or Easy rides in South East.
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| New Forest cycle routes | South Downs Way near Winchester |
Cycle routes in Hampshire
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National Route 2 |
National Route 2 is only partially complete in Hampshire between Emsworth and Christchurch, so you are advised to check our online mapping for specific route information.
The route is open and signed as it enters Hampshire at the delightful harbour town of Emsworth and continues into Havant. There are two route options from Havant. Either head south on the main coastal route signed as National Route 2 going over to Hayling Island along the Hayling Billy railway path to the seafront. From Hayling you catch the Langstone Harbour ferry to Portsmouth, however the route is not yet open or signed along the seafront. From The Hard in Portsmouth catch a ferry to Gosport and head towards Southampton. The route isn't yet complete but is signed from Browndown to Hamble-le-Rice via the 'Pink' Ferry at Warsash. The route isn't currently signed through Royal Victoria Park, but can be picked up in Netley to Southampton Town Quay from where a ferry crosses to Hythe. From Hythe to near Bransgore the mainly off-road route offers many opportunities to explore the magical cycle routes in the New Forest, passing through Brockenhurst on the way.
Alternatively, take the inland route which heads west from Havant using a section of National Route 22 travelling via Porchester and Fareham. You will then rejoin the coastal route at Warsash and can continue up the eastern side of Southampton Water to Southampton.
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National Route 23 |
National Route 23 is now open in Hampshire between Southampton and Otterbourne. A short stretch is also open beside St. Catherines Hill into Winchester. From Winchester city centre close to the Cathedral, National Route 23 heads eastwards towards Junction 9 of the M3 and and on towards Easton, Avington, Ovington and Alresford. This section between Winchester and Alresford which follows the Itchen Valley along quiet country lanes, can be ridden but is not yet signed. The route is then signed from Alresford to Reading via Medstead, Basingstoke, and Bramley.
From Arlesford it is possible to take a detour on a National Byway to the village of Cheriton where a battle was fought during the English Civil War.
Download Basingstoke to Alton and Alresford (pdf)
Download Reading to Basingstoke (pdf)
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National Route 24 |
National Route 24 starts in Eastleigh and heads westwards along traffic free and quiet on-road sections to North Baddesley near Romsey. Between Romsey and Timsbury, the route is due to be developed. From Timsbury the route heads west towards Mottisfont, through quiet country lanes to Alderbury (near Salisbury) via West Dean. The route continues through Wiltshire.
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South Downs Way |
The 99-mile long South Downs Way (Regional Route 89) follows the old routes and droveways along the chalk escarpment and ridges of the South Downs between Eastbourne and Winchester. Take a challenge and tackle the entire route or go for a day trip and you will be rewarded with a wealth of stunning views, attractive wildlife, fine pubs and pretty villages. Detailed information can be found on the South Downs Way National Trails website or Southdowns online website.
Cycle routes on the Isle of Wight
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National Route 22 |
A short section of National Route 22 on the Isle of Wight is open around Wootton Bridge, mainly using a former railway line. The route will in the future continue to Newport and Yarmouth, starting in Ryde.
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National Route 23 |
Linking to the mainland from the Red Funnel car ferry from Southampton to East Cowes, National Route 23 on the Isle of Wight heads immediately west via the chain ferry to West Cowes. Continue on the converted railway to Newport, south across the town and continue via Merstone and along the converted rail track to Sandown.
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Round the Island Cycle Route |
The Round the Island Cycle Route (Regional Route 67) is a 49-mile route around the island using quiet roads following the official Isle of Wight “Round the Island” cycle route blue signs. Cyclists can travel either clockwise or anti-clockwise around the island, with starting points at Yarmouth, Cowes and Ryde, where the ferries all link to the mainland.
Download a map from the Isle of Wight Council website.
Route development
New Forest
The old railway line between Brockenhurst and Ringwood offers a fantastic traffic free route through the heart of the forest and parts of it have been developed for walking and cycling. Unfortunately, one section at Holmsley has been built over with a road linking to the A35, which is fairly busy. This scheme would provide a new path beside the road, crossing under the A35 using a spare arch of the old railway bridge at Holmsley and linking two sections of the old line. It will also be a key part of Route 2 between Brockenhurst and Christchurch. Although the scheme is relatively modest, with an estimated cost of £300,000, we have not yet identified all the match funding required. However, Sustrans is leading on scheme design and we hope to submit a planning application shortly.
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Strategic Initiatives
We anticipate the construction of a new link from Cowes High Street to Chain Ferry and National Route 23 to Newport. An extension of National Route 24 north from Romsey to Timsbury is also in the pipeline, thanks to the Test Valley Borough Council recently commissioning a feasibility study and planning application
Hythe west towards Brokenhurst
The section of route from Hythe west towards Brockenhurst was officially opened on 27 June 2010. Brockenhurst, west towards Christchurch, should be fully signed this summer as a result of our partnership work with the New Forest National Park Authority and New Forest District Council. The route is very popular and signing this final section will provide the missing link from Hythe Ferry, through the New Forest, to the Hampshire-Dorset border, and a direct link to the coast.
Safer cycling on Southsea Promenade
A further section of National Route 2 along the South Coast, linking Portsmouth and Southsea with the Langstone ferry, is fully open along Southsea Promenade.
Netley foreshore coastal route
Planning permission has been granted for the coastal route to the end of Southampton, near to the Netley foreshore. Work should get underway this year, completing the final stretch of National Route 2 from Hamble through to Southampton.
Route improvements for a Shipwright's Way
In April 2010 the initial sections of the long-awaited Shipwright's Way were opened. These include a section at Alice Holt in the north, providing access over Forestry Commission land, and a new, more southerly section at Queen Elizabeth Country Park, south of Petersfield, running through county council owned land.
These sections will eventually be part of a through route, running via Bordon, Petersfield and Havant, from London to Portsmouth and across the Solent to Ryde on the Isle of Wight.
Reading to the Isle of Wight
National Route 23 will provide safe routes from Reading to the Isle of Wight. Once the section from Otterbourne is finished you will be able to follow signs south to Basingstoke, Alton/Alresford, Winchester, Eastleigh and Southampton then via ferry to the Isle of Wight.
Working closely with Winchester City Council, Hampshire County Council and the Friends of Hockley Viaduct, we have already created a great walking and cycing route by upgraging Hockley Viaduct from Winchester to Compton and Otterbourne.
Winchester and Swaythling
A section of Route 23 from Junction 9 of the M3/A34 south to Winchester city centre has now been constructed. Another section in the Swaythling area is also underway. Finally, the missing section across Newport on the Isle of Wight, will complete the safer route between Cowes, Newport and Sandown and will be open soon. Once these sections are complete, Route 23 will be almost continuous between Reading and Winchester and across the Isle of Wight, with just the section south from Winchester to Otterbourne still to be constructed.
Bridge at Southampton
A new bridge at Southampton Airport Parkway railway station has linked Eastleigh to Southampton via the newly opened boardwalk at St Denys. The airport link connects with National Route 24 at Eastleigh. National Route 24 runs further west towards Romsey and the beautiful Test Valley and onwards to Salisbury.
Links to Schools - Alresford
A Links To Schools scheme at Perrins School, Alresford, is currently under review and design with Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty, to provide a link west of Alresford on Route 23 through to Winchester.
Free cycle maps for Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Basingstoke to Alton and Alresford
(National Route 23) - Sustrans, tel: 0845 113 0065 or download (pdf)
Reading to Basingstoke
(National Route 23) - Sustrans, tel: 0845 113 0065 or download (pdf)
Portsmouth Cycle Map - download from Portsmouth CC or tel: 02392 834590
Southampton Cycle map - download from Southampton CC or tel: 02380 832366
Cycle Routes in Eastleigh - download from Eastleigh BC or tel: 02380 688233
Cycle Routes in Gosport - Gosport Tourist Information, tel: 023 9252 2944
Basingstoke Cycleways - download from Basingstoke & Deane BC or tel: 01256 845772
Discover East Hampshire Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty by Bike
download from Hampshire CC or tel: 01962 847165
Winchester Cycle Map - download from Winchester CC or tel: 01962 848231
Test Valley Tour - download from Test Valley BC
Cycling in the New Forest - download from Hampshire CC or tel: 01962 847165
Isle of Wight Cycle Maps - Bicycle Island: 12 circular routes
download from Isle of Wight Tourism or tel: 01983 813800
A wide range of maps and suggested routes can be downloaded from the Hampshire County Council website.