Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: November 13, 2025

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Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Dorset National Landscape

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

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1.35 km

View of Weymouth Bay

Highlight • Viewpoint

This is where they filmed the Greenhill Fair scenes from the 1967 Scheslinger Film adaption of Thomas Hardy's 'Far from the Madding Crowd'

Tip by

4.97 km

Down Wood

Forest

8.78 km

North Plantation

Forest

14.3 km

Gravel path from Maiden Castle to Martinstown

Highlight • Trail

This is now laid with tarmac and is a very comfortable ride now. More like a large footpath now.

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14.5 km

View of Maiden Castle

Highlight • Cycleway

This is now very easy going with a couple of gates. Surface is smooth path now.

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20.1 km

View of Hardy Monument and the Coast

Highlight • Viewpoint

The long climb to the monument from Martinstown is rewarded with 360 views of Black Down and the coast.

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20.6 km

Hardy Monument

Highlight • Monument

The monument is not for Thomas Hardy, but was built in 1844 in memory of Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, Flag Captain of HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. …

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20.6 km

Hardy's Monument

Highlight • Viewpoint

At the summit of Black Down in Dorset this monument commemorates Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy, a commander at the Battle of Trafalgar

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24.1 km

Tumulus

Ruins

26.5 km

Gravel Track in Dorset National Landscape

Highlight • Cycleway

traffic free route to Hardy's monument

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27.3 km

View of Weymouth and Dorchester

Highlight • Cycleway

Be careful as it is unpaved. Passable on a road bike, and offers a good alternative to busy roads.

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33.0 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

19.0 km

10.5 km

1.59 km

971 m

874 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

11.5 km

11.4 km

10.1 km

Elevation

Weather

Today

Monday 24 November

9°C

6°C

0 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 33.0 km/h

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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View of Weymouth Bay

Gravel path from Maiden Castle to Martinstown

View of Maiden Castle

View of Hardy Monument and the Coast

Hardy Monument

Hardy's Monument

Gravel Track in Dorset National Landscape

View of Weymouth and Dorchester

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