The best cycling routes around New Forest

The New Forest’s magical woodlands

If there’s one thing that keeps cyclists coming back time and time again to this national park, it’s the exquisite forests. Cycle routes in the New Forest whisk you through ancient woodlands, where old oak trees stoop over grazing deer and squirrels bound across in front of you. 

The Rhinefield Ornamental Drive has towering trees while vast enclosures have dense coniferous forests to ride through. Beech, ash and elm are all common here, along with the impressive oaks.  Bike rides in the New Forest will always bring the magic of exquisite woodlands. 

Trails and tarmac

As a national park, cycling in the New Forest is governed by a few easy rules. Luckily, the forest is particularly welcoming to cyclists and riding here couldn’t be a more pleasant experience at any time of year. 

There’s a huge range of cycle trails throughout the forest where you’ll cover a mixture of paved and gravel routes as well as bridle paths that will take you through stunning areas. Cyclists cannot ride on open forest unless on bridle paths or marked trails and, as usual, it’s important to avoid footpaths. 

Sandwiches and other sustenance

Lay down your trusty steed and enjoy a packed lunch wherever you find yourself, the New Forest is a marvellous place for a picnic. 

Alternatively, you’ll find pubs and tea rooms scattered liberally throughout the park, almost always with bike racks and picnic tables in the sun. Areas like Brockenhurst, Lyndhurst and Ashurst are especially excellent for a lunch stop. 

The animals of the New Forest

You’d struggle to complete any cycle routes in the New Forest without coming across one of its many animal residents. The forest is home to the endemic New Forest ponies, a hardy breed who freely roam across the open land. In spring and summer you’ll see foals springing around and while ponies may approach you for snacks, you should never feed them. 

Donkeys can also be seen roaming and in autumn, you might be lucky enough to catch the pigs, who are released annually to snaffle up the acorns, which are poisonous to horses. With a large deer population and plentiful birds, there’s no such thing as a deserted forest here.