The best traffic-free bike rides around New Forest

The New Forest offers a vast network of over 500 dedicated no-traffic touring cycling routes. These routes cater to all abilities, ranging from easy, family-friendly paths to more challenging moderate and difficult options, ensuring a suitable ride for every cyclist.

The terrain in the New Forest is largely gentle, featuring mostly flat paths with occasional low hills and gentle rises. You'll cycle through diverse landscapes, including ancient woodlands with veteran trees and vast open heathlands. This makes it accessible for cyclists of varying abilities.

Yes, the New Forest is excellent for family cycling with many dedicated traffic-free paths. Routes like the Brockenhurst to Lyndhurst loop are particularly popular for their gentle gradients and scenic beauty, passing through varied forest and open terrain suitable for all ages.

Many of the no-traffic routes in the New Forest are dog-friendly, especially those on dedicated cycle paths away from busy roads. However, always keep dogs under close control, preferably on a lead, due to the free-roaming ponies, cattle, and other wildlife. Some areas may have specific restrictions, so check local signage.

You'll encounter a rich array of natural beauty. Many routes pass through ancient woodlands and across open heathlands. Keep an eye out for the iconic free-roaming New Forest ponies and other wildlife. Notable spots include the Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary, where you can often spot fallow deer, and picturesque ponds like Hatchet Pond. The Rhinefield Ornamental Woodland loop is known for its impressive trees.

Yes, many of the no-traffic routes in the New Forest are designed as circular loops, allowing you to start and finish in the same location. An example is the Northern Forest Circular, which offers a moderate challenge through varied landscapes.

The New Forest is beautiful year-round, but spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are particularly popular. Spring brings blooming wildflowers and milder temperatures, while autumn offers stunning foliage. Summer is also great, but routes can be busier. Winter cycling is possible, but be prepared for colder, potentially wetter conditions.

There are numerous car parks located throughout the New Forest, often near popular starting points for cycle routes and villages like Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst, and Burley. Many of these provide direct access to the dedicated cycle network. Always check for parking fees and regulations.

Yes, the charming villages within and around the New Forest, such as Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst, and Burley, offer a good selection of cafes, pubs, and shops. Many routes are designed to pass through or near these villages, providing convenient stops for refreshments and amenities.

The New Forest is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.5 stars. Reviewers often praise the tranquility of the traffic-free paths, the stunning ancient woodlands and open heathlands, and the unique experience of cycling alongside free-roaming ponies and other wildlife. The accessibility for all skill levels is also frequently highlighted.

While much of the New Forest terrain is gentle, there are routes that offer a greater challenge. For example, the Lyndhurst, Bolderwood & Roydon Wood gravel loop provides a longer distance and more varied surfaces, including gravel sections, making it suitable for those seeking a moderate adventure. The Fritham Off Road Cycle Trail also offers a good workout with its length and elevation.