Fritham, Hyde and ridge top rides — New Forest trails

Challenge yourself to an extensive loop and reward yourself with some of the best cafes and pubs in the New Forest. This 38-mile (61 km) Tour touches the western boundary of the National Park and combines open heathland with forest glades. The terrain is split evenly between compact gravel and quiet tarmac roads, and the elevation is constantly rolling.

Ascend towards Minstead where you’ll be charmed by the thatched roof tea rooms in Furzey Gardens, a tranquil 10 acre (4 ha) woodland garden. If you’d prefer a pub, keep pedalling for 3.75 miles (6 km) until you reach the award-winning Royal Oak in Fritham. The cosy free house dates back to the 1600s and is characterised by its thatched roof and tiny interior. The garden, however, is large and has plenty of space to store bicycles.

Cycle from Fritham to Frogham along a continuous gravel track that enters a spectacular ridge of heathland lined with gorse and bracken. Known as Hampton Ridge, it offers expansive views in all directions, and is symbolic of the more open landscape seen north of the A31.

At Frogham, you’ll pass The Foresters Inn, another quirky pub known locally as ‘the donkey pub’ for the abundance of mules milling around. Just around the corner in Hyde and South Gorley are two hidden gems, The Potting Shed and Hockey’s Farm, both cafes with outdoor seating serving home-grown and locally-sourced food.

After some scenic road cycling, pass the Red Shoot Inn pub at Linwood then join a long gravel section through a blend of open healthland and mixed woodland. You’ll see a variety of different tree species and plants.

Admire the extensive sloping forest views at the Canadian War Memorial, then enjoy a series of winding gravel tracks which gently descend back into the heart of the forest. Just north of Brockenhurst, look out for a collection of eye-catching dead trees which eerily stand tall in a flooded moor just off the cycle trail.