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The Best Places to Cycle Near Me in Hampshire

Including easy cycle routes

If you are looking for the best places to cycle in Hampshire then this is the post for you. We have covered all of Hampshire and broken the locations down into flat surfaces and forest routes.

There’s no better way to get around our beautiful county than by bike. Enjoy the nature that is around you while exploring Hampshire with the family.

If you are looking for more things to do in Hampshire then have a look at:

The Biggest List of Things to do in Hampshire – This is the best list of things to do in Hampshire. We’ve included everything you need in this list for a great day out!

The Ultimate List of Walks in Hampshire That Are Child Friendly – If you are looking for a family-friendly walk that’s perfect for the whole family then this post is for you.

The Full List of Country Parks in Hampshire – Hampshire has so many amazing country parks that all offer a family something different. How many have you visited?

Places to go on a bike ride near me

We have come up with a huge list of bike trails and paths that you can travel and explore. We have split them into three categories so you can decide which ones are for you.

Find more things to do in the New Forest here.

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Family-friendly cycle routes

These are all family-friendly cycle routes that are in Hampshire. They are small circuits and are great beginner or smaller riders.

Hayling Billy Cycle Trail

Starting at the car park at North Hayling Halt on Havant Road, go down Hayling Billy Path and keep going. This runs along the coast of Hayling Island and is about a 5-mile round trip which is all off-road. Great for younger kids who may not feel as confident. This has great views of the coast and loads of picnic spots along the way. The trail ends at Station Road and Sinah Lane.

Southampton Common

This lovely common just outside of the main city is a green getaway. Parking can be found throughout the outer rim of the country park. It’s perfect for bikes, prams and those with limited mobility as the paths are all paved. The country park has a cafe and toilets near the playground plus a huge amount of space for the whole family to explore
This is a park loop that the whole family can enjoy. There are plenty of places you can stop and have a picnic too!

You can find Southampton Common at The Avenue, Southampton SO15 7NN.

Lakeside Country Park

Based on a busy main road, this amazing country park is packed full of things to do. Make sure you ride on the little train while enjoying the whole fishing lake. Take a picnic to enjoy the park while seeing how much wildlife you can spot through the woodland. There’s loads of parking on-site with a cafe, shop, and toilets.

This is a short round circuit that is flat and takes you through some trees then around the lake.

Eastrop Park

Just a short walk away from Festival Place this park has everything a family could need including a huge play park, woods, flat paths, and a pond for the whole family to enjoy. The paths are flat and pretty wide which are great for beginner riders who are trying to get their confidence.

You can find Eastrop Park at Eastrop Lane, Basingstoke, RG21 4QB.

Flat cycle routes

These are all flat routes that are great if you don’t fancy a hill. Most of these are short and offer you other things to do as well.

Deerleap

We love Deerleap! Right by New Forest Wildlife Park, Deerleap is great for bike rides. Park in the car park and follow the stony path for as long as want. It is about 5 miles to Lyndhurst but is a mostly flat route through the plains.

Find Deerleap at Deerleap Lane, Totton, Southampton SO40 7EH

Meon Valley Trail

Starting at Station Road in Wickham, this road is about 10 miles and goes from Knowle to West Meon. This goes along a disused railway line and is fairly flat throughout.

You can find the Meon Valley Trail at Wickham, Fareham PO17 5JZ.

Royal Victoria Country Park

Right on Netley seafront, this country park has everything you need for a fun day trip out for the whole family. Enjoy the seaside views from the stony beach or play on one of the three massive green fields. It has a huge adventure playground, a steam train, and a great little cafe with toilets on site.

The country park has huge forests which you can ride through which are mostly flat plus you can ride through the whole park, one end to the other, on the flay green fields. This is a great place for beginners to learn to ride a bike.

Read more about Royal Victoria Country Park here.

You can find Royal Victoria Country Park at Netley Abbey, Southampton SO31 5GA.

Southsea Sea Front

Southsea Sea Front is a great place to go for a bike ride. It is completely flat and takes you the whole length of the seafront. The path is really wide for bikes and there are loads of places you can stop to have some lunch or have fun as a family.

Read more about what to do at Southsea Sea Front here.

Riverside Park

This long stretch of path goes from The White Swan pub in Mansbridge right up and through Bitterne Park. There are plenty of places you can park for free which include The White Swan pub and the actual Riverside Park which is right next to Woodmill and the Outdoor Discovery Center. The river is a great place to spot all the local wildlife including ducks and swans. There’s two great children’s play parks either end with loads of benches on the way.

You can find Riverside Park at 279 Manor Farm Road, Southampton SO18 1NZ.

Western Shore

This stretch of waterfront leads on to Victoria Country Park if you keep following the road. It provides a long flat path that runs alongside a pebble beach. Enjoy a two-mile or so bike ride that includes a lovely small outside cafe and benches.

There is two free car parks on site and plenty of on-road parking that gives you direct access to the beach. It’s a great place to watch the cruise ships or other big liners sail away from.

Forest cycle routes

These are great forest trails that mean you can stop off and have a picnic while exploring all the forest land that Hampshire has to offer.

St Catherine’s Hill

With it’s vast landscape and stunning views, St Catherine’s Hill in Winchester is a great day out for the whole family. You don’t have to walk to the top of the hill either to get the best views of Winchester.

This stunning land is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to the general public who want to enjoy everything this beautiful chalk downland has to offer.

This 47 hectares nature reserve offers the whole family stunning views, historic interest and grazing animals. Walking on the trail you could see anything from butterflies in wildflowers to cattle and sheep throughout the whole year.

The hill is steep to ride but you can ride along one of the many treks by the hill and St Cross.

Read more about St Catherine’s Hill here.

You can find St Catherine’s Hill on Garnier Road, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9PA.

Alice Holt Country Park

Alice Holt has loads of great cycling routes that are great for the whole family. It’s uneven but the different routes are perfect depending on your family’s skill level. They take you through the forest and which also has loads of places you can stop and have a picnic.

You can find Alice Holt Country Park at Alice Holt Forest, Bucks Horn Oak, Farnham, GU10 4LS.

Read more about Alice Holt Country Park here.

Brockenhurst to Rhinefield Arboretum

Taking you through the New Forest, start in Brockenhurst and make sure you enjoy the many cafes and tea rooms that are there. Heading toward Rhinefield Arboretum, this cycle track is full of wildlife from ponies and donkeys. The track is through the forest giving you a view of this wonderful national park.

Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary

Bolderwood is another great place with parking and toilets. If you are really lucky then you may spot some deer wandering in the woods. The path is steep down but it’s still fine for pushchairs. It does get busy during the summer but is great for a bike ride in the winter.

It’s a short circuit that is great for kids who love to ride up and down hills through the forest.

You can find Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary, Bolderwood Arboretum Ornamental Drive, Lyndhurst.

Itchen Valley Country Park

A start drive from the center of town, Itchen Valley Country Park has everything you need for a great day out. Bring a picnic and park in one of the five car parks (parking charges apply.)

It’s a pretty flat route that is around circuit. This is great for smaller kids.

Related Posts: 

Telegraph Woods

Telegraph Woods is located in Telegraph Road in West End, Southampton. Parking is on the road and is free! There are so many ways you can walk. We started by cycling along the main path through the middle of the woods. If you turn to the right then you’ll find a hill that takes you deeper into the woods. Turning left into the trees takes you down further by the pond which, in the summer, is covered with lily pads. Keep riding further down and you’ll find the Ages Bowl peaking through the trees too.

Read more about Telegraph Woods here.

Laura x If you enjoyed this post and would like some more ideas on things to do in Hampshire then head over to the Things To Do section here on Things To Do In Hampshire With Kids where you’ll find over 50 day out ideas in Hampshire that the whole family will enjoy. You could also pop over and follow our Facebook page here or our Hampshire days out Pinterest boards for lots more ideas on what you can do as a family in Hampshire; Days Out For The Kids in Hampshire and Cheap and Free Days Out in Hampshire.

These are the best places to cycle in Hampshire. Enjoy a family bike ride along the coast or through the sweeping forests by Laura at Things to do with Hampshire with kids

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