About Katherine Moore
Official Collection Editor for komoot, covering gravel riding and MTB touring in the UK to bring you the best dirt on your doorstep.Editor at ADVNTR.ccHost of Unpaved Podcast; the adventure cycling & bikepacking podcast. More at unpavedpodcast.com & komoot.com/user/unpavedpodcastGet in touch if you’d like to come adventuring with me, want to try out a route, have any route feedback or just want to wave hello. I’m one of those friendly Westcountry types.@katherinebikes on social media 👋
14,464 km
1036:42 h
Recent Activity
- Katherine Moore
The second day completes Peddars Way, from the centre of the county to the North Sea at Hunstanton. Retrace your steps, or rather tyre tracks, out of Swaffham back to Peddars Way to the East. Back onto tracks and lanes, your first stop of the day should be at Castle Acre at the English Heritage site of the castle ruins. If you’re into history, you’ve hit gold here with a perfectly preserved footprint of a motte and bailey castle.There’s also a couple of shops and pubs in Castle Acre, so why not stay a while and enjoy this quaint village?Next head North on the very straight Massingham Road, a small single carriageway lane flanked by lush green high hedges. After crossing the Fakenham Road, the way turns into a dirt track, descending a little into Sedgeford. Finally, the Peddars Way takes you onto back road paths towards the coast, hitting the end of the Peddars Way just North East of Old Hunstanton near the marshes that host some of the birds that make Norfolk such a haven for birdwatchers.After toasting the end of the trail, head into Hunstanton via Old Hunstanton which sees the end of the day’s ride. Make sure you visit the old lighthouse here. It was built in 1840 but is now available for hire as a holiday home - why not extend your trip and stay in this iconic tower for a few days?
a day ago
- Katherine Moore
Start at the Southern tip of Peddars Way, the most inland point. In fact, this route starts at the closest train station at Thetford, to give you a safe route out of the Norfolk town to the official start of the trail. This first stage is the longest at 34 miles (55km), including the ride out from Thetford, which covers the first seven miles (eleven km) on quieter roads.Join the start of Peddars Way at Knettishall Heath near Rushford, seeing the distinctive and well marked signs which will guide you along this very straight route. It starts out on small lanes and soon joins the National Cycle Route 13 which links Tower Bridge in London to Fakenham in Norfolk. Ride through the plantation on sandy trails and over the River Thet, leaving NCN13 and heading through Bridgham and out on Bridgham Road, which soon turns into more off road trails through wood plantations.Trace the edge of Stanford Training Area to the West as you pass Thompson Water. It’s a remarkable area for wildlife with a series of pools formed by glacial activity, now home to hundreds of species of water dwelling plants and invertebrates like dragonflies, butterflies and beetles.Reaching the Brandon Road outside of Watton, make sure you take a short diversion to see Little Cressingham Wind and Water Mill. It’s one of its kind in Norfolk, so well worth seeing and admiring, although that’s as close as you can get as it’s not open to the public.Rejoin Peddars Way on the Pilgrim’s Way through Little Cressingham and along Caudle Hill, but fear not - it’s anything but hilly! Here the route follows the way of the River Wissey, before crossing the water into North Pickenham.It’s just a short, flat stretch of unpaved cycleway from here to Swaffham, the first overnight stop. It’s a pretty Breckland Town with a large market square thanks to its prosperous sheep and wool trade in the 14th and 15th centuries. There’s a good selection of hotels, and B&Bs in the centre of the town, as well as a campsite to the North West a short cycle or walk away.
a day ago
- Katherine Moore
The third and final stage of the Icknield Way Trail delivers you to the junction with the Peddars Way from your start point of Great Chesterford. Most of the climbing is in the first half of the stage, although it is a very moderate amount, and the latter half will be a relief for your weary legs!Climb up through the singletrack to Hadstock to start the stage. Long Lane bridleway will take you to Linton village, then continue on north up Rivey Hill to the water tower. You’ll likely get wet feet as Rivey Lane is known for being wet, as you descend to meet the road. Take the Roman Road briefly, before peeling off onto the easy bridleway to Balsham.You’re in for a real treat next, with the long, wide and pretty flat Frog End gravel road taking you for miles across the serene countryside. A change of direction and a few lanes take you through Brinkley and Burrough Green. Climb a little to Woodditton Water Tower before a fast, wide and smooth section of gravel along the Icknield Way Trail.A road section comes next to Ashley, and after the village you’ll turn left onto a track that follows the River Kennett as far as Moulton. Here you peel off to the right, following the lane that crosses over the A14. It’s well worth a pit-stop at Phoenix Cycleworks here, a friendly bike shop and hire centre with a well-stocked cafe.It’s easy trails and lanes from here on in to the start of the Peddars Way in Knettishall. It’s a pretty bizarre place for a route to start or finish, so I’d recommend a short cycle along the lane to the west into Thetford, where you enjoy a meal and catch a train home. Alternatively, if you’d like to carry on along the Greater Ridgeway, check out the Peddars Way route here: komoot.com/collection/900448/norfolks-hidden-gravel-highway-peddars-way.
a day ago
- Katherine Moore
Start your Icknield Way Trail adventure from the village of Chinnor in South Oxfordshire. The train line here is no longer in use by domestic services, but you can get a train to nearby Princes Risborough on the Chiltern Railways main line and pedal down to Chinnor.From the village, you’re straight up into the hills as you climb a trail around the lower slopes of Chinnor Hill on singletrack. A short stretch of quiet lane later and you’re back passing through Princes Risborough, skirting around the south of this urban area.Up into the hills again you go, around The Hangings forest on a steep singletrack climb, then over to Pulpit Wood before the thrilling bridleway descent to Missenden Road. Don’t forget to take in the views at the top of these climbs, which on a clear day can be very impressive indeed.Follow the Icknield Way Trail up into Chisley Wood, over Little Hampden Common and down through Dunsmore to the edge of Wendover. A short stretch along Hale Lane leads you to a steep climb through Wendover Woods, and then along the tops to Gadmore Lane. Riding through the gorgeous woodland next to Tring Park, you then descend into Wiggington, and further down to cross the Grand Union Canal and the trainline.The next section heads north to Paul’s Knob, next to Ivinghoe Beacon where the Ridgeway Trail officially ends. You could start your ride here if you’re linking the two as part of the Greater Ridgeway. Back through the Ashridge Estate and over Berkhamsted Common, there are many trails to explore both over grassland and in the woods.There are some lanes up next to aid progress, through Great Gaddesden and Hudnall, where you’ll rejoin a singletrack trail to climb up to Whipsnade. Your last treat of the day is to cross the glorious Dunstable Downs, which lead you to the edge of Dunstable town. Here you’ll find plentiful local services and places to stay overnight.
a day ago
- Katherine Moore
The second stage is slightly shorter at just over 21 miles (34 km), leaving the Vale of the White Horse behind and heading further East towards Goring. Although the full National Trail continues towards Aylesbury, this is where the cycleable section ends.
You’ll quickly get back into it again today with a climb back onto the Ridgeway trail from the lower slopes. Before you start climbing, make sure you go and check out the Blowingstone at the base of Blowingstone Hill. This stone has a magical ability to make a loud booming sound when manipulated in the right way. Can you do it?Back onto the chalky white way, from traffic-free doubletrack roads to narrow singletrack, all taking in gentle slopes as you pass over the spine of each hill crossing the length of the Wessex Downs.After seven miles (eleven km), take a very short detour from the Ridgeway to see Segsbury Camp, another Iron Age Hill Fort. It’s incredibly well preserved, from the ramparts to ancient gateways.
Nearly halfway through today’s route you’ll find Lord Wantage’s Monument, a large cross at the side of the Ridgeway trail. Besides being a good place to stop for a while, it offers the most spectacular views to the North, especially on a clear day.Enjoy a gentle downhill from here to the end of the day in Goring, with just one small climb past Thurle Down. Once you reach Goring, there are lots of places to get some food and drink, a good train station and plenty of accommodation options if you’d like to extend your trip including a youth hostel.a day ago
- Katherine Moore
Although the official Ridgeway starts at Overton Hill, be sure not to miss Avebury. This small Wiltshire village is home to not just one, but three prehistoric stone circles, thought to date back to some 5000 years ago in the Neolithic, or New Stone Age. This is the largest Megalithic circle in the world, and it’s open access to go and take a closer look.You’ll soon warm up as the route climbs up Overton Hill on the well marked, traffic free Ridgeway National Trail. Head North towards the second historic site of the day after only eight miles; Barbury Castle Fort. Witness the scale of this Iron Age Fort’s footprint, just one of several across the Wessex Downs. On a clear day from here you can see as far as the Cotswolds and even the Severn Estuary.Cross over the Fort, through the car park and across the road carefully to carry on the Ridgeway trail. Enjoy the three mile descent down towards Ogbourne St George, where you can take a detour off the Ridgeway route to find a cafe or shop for Elevenses or even lunch!Crossing the Chiseldon and Marlborough Railway Path, climb sharply out of the village towards the castle fort at Liddington, the highest point in the borough of Swindon. Descent off the hill to the small village of Foxhill before another sharp, but thankfully shorter rise.Pass over the more gentle Idstone Hill and Ashbury Hill now nearing the end of the first day’s ride. Approaching White Horse Hill, take the Dragon Hill Road off of the bank, seeing the most incredible white chalk horse on the hillside before you.
Choose from campsites and pubs nearby in Woolstone and Uffington to refuel yourself and get ready for the following day on the historic Ridgeway.a day ago
- Katherine Moore
The third and final stage of the Wessex Ridgeway, you’ll ride from the town of Warminster to magnificent Marlborough today, passing through the village of Avebury, home to many prehistoric features, and the start of the Ridgeway route (komoot.com/collection/899679).A little shorter and much less hilly than the previous stages, that might come as a relief with tired legs! You’ll spend the first part of the stage skirting the edge of the Imber Range, a military firing range that’s usually closed to the public. This gives you plenty of fun singletrack and incredible gravel roads that are pretty deserted as you follow the edge.Pass through Urchfont village as you leave the range behind you heading north, onto lanes, connecting bridleways and a short stint along the Kennet and Avon canal into Devizes. If you’re a fan of beer and brewery tours you’ll love this little town, and the large brick building of Wadworth Brewery.Head back out into the countryside up Roundway Hill, taking the bridleways into historic Avebury. It’s well worth taking your time to hop off the bike and explore the stone circle and nearby West Kennet Long Barrow here. There are some little cafes and gift shops too in the village.Soon after Avebury, ‘the Ridgeway’, that starts here, and the Wessex Ridgeway trails split. The former heads off north over Barbury Castle Iron Age Fort, while the Wessex Ridgeway reaches its conclusion in the delightful market town of Marlborough. You’ll find many places to celebrate with lunch or afternoon tea here, after descending over the gorgeous Fyfield Down into the town.
a day ago
- Katherine Moore
Another very hilly stage, you’ll cross from Dorset into Wiltshire on the second stage with many opportunities to take in marvellous landscape views as you climb along the chalk hilltops of the Wessex Ridgeway.Starting from Cerne Abbas, the route takes you to the north-east to start, climbing steeply from Up Cerne and passing through the Dorsetshire Gap, a pass in the chalk ridge thought to be part of ancient trading routes.There’s a long descent to cross Stoke Lane, before a sharper climb up the other side up Bulbarrow Hill on an off-road trail. This is the second highest hill in Dorset, giving you a different, but equally remarkable, vista from yesterday’s summit.You’ll stay up high on this ridge for a while, taking the gravel road to the summit of Shillingstone Hill next. There’s a very steep descent here down to the edge of the village, before, you guessed it, heading up the other side. Up the side of Hambledon Hill is so steep that you might need to push your bike up the trail, with gradients topping out at 17%!Continue north-west on a series of undulating tracks, dirt roads and lanes to Tollard Royal, part of Cranborne Chase and a former royal hunting ground. Take the Ox Drove dirt road past Win Green, the highest point on the Chase, and then north-west to Ludwell, not far from Shaftesbury.Follow lanes and tracks north to Hindon, still undulating but not reaching the same elevation as the first half of the stage. Your last high point will be on the gravel roads along the Great Ridge through the forest, before dropping down to Tytherington to follow lanes into Warminster.Find options for accommodation and a much-needed meal in Warminster, a pretty market town in Wiltshire on the edge of the Imber Range.
a day ago
