If you\u2019re looking for gravel paths, forest trails, and bridleways, Dorset and Wiltshire have some amazing off-road cycling routes. Whether you\u2019re riding a gravel bike, mountain bike, or hybrid, these traffic-free trails offer stunning countryside, technical challenges, and peaceful rides away from busy roads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are some of the best off-road cycling trails, complete with Google Maps links to help you find the starting points!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1\ufe0f\u20e3 The North Dorset Trailway \u2013 Family-Friendly & Scenic \ud83d\udeb4\u200d\u2642\ufe0f\ud83c\udf3f<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udccd Start: Sturminster Newton (North Dorset Trailway Car Park)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udccc Google Maps Link<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2705 Distance: 23 km (14 miles) one-way<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2705 Difficulty: Easy<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2705 Terrain: Hard-packed gravel, old railway line, smooth trails<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udeb4\u200d\u2642\ufe0f Why Ride It?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Follows the old Somerset & Dorset Railway line, offering a flat and scenic ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Traffic-free, perfect for families, beginners, and gravel riders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Passes through riverside paths, woodlands, and open countryside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udccc Best for: Beginner-friendly off-road cycling with beautiful countryside views.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2\ufe0f\u20e3 Wareham Forest & The Sika Trail \u2013 Woodland Adventure \ud83c\udf32\ud83d\udeb5\u200d\u2642\ufe0f<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udccd Start: Wareham Forest (Sika Trail Car Park)<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udccc Google Maps Link<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2705 Distance: 16 km (10 miles) loop<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2705 Difficulty: Easy to Moderate<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2705 Terrain: Gravel, forest tracks, sandy sections<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udeb4\u200d\u2642\ufe0f Why Ride It?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 A well-marked, scenic forest trail with fun, flowing singletrack sections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Ideal for gravel bikes & mountain bikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Great for wildlife spotting, with chances to see deer & rare birds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udccc Best for: A fun, flowing forest ride suitable for all skill levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3\ufe0f\u20e3 Cranborne Chase Gravel Trails \u2013 Hidden Gem \ud83c\udfd4\ufe0f\ud83c\udf3f<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udccd Start: Sixpenny Handley (Village Car Park)<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udccc Google Maps Link<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2705 Distance: 40-60 km (25-37 miles)<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2705 Difficulty: Moderate<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2705 Terrain: Gravel roads, bridleways, woodland paths<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udeb4\u200d\u2642\ufe0f Why Ride It?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 A network of gravel-friendly trails through Cranborne Chase AONB.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Chalk downs, rolling hills, and quiet bridleways make this an adventure ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Minimal road sections, with plenty of route variations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udccc Best for: Gravel riders looking for a remote, scenic challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4\ufe0f\u20e3 The Ridgeway \u2013 Britain\u2019s Oldest Off-Road Trail \ud83c\udfdb\ufe0f\ud83d\udeb4\u200d\u2640\ufe0f<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udccd Start: Avebury (Near the Stone Circle)<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udccc Google Maps Link<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2705 Distance: 139 km (87 miles)<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2705 Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2705 Terrain: Ancient tracks, grassy trails, gravel, rocky sections<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udeb4\u200d\u2642\ufe0f Why Ride It?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 One of Britain\u2019s most famous off-road cycling routes, dating back 5,000 years!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Passes through Wiltshire Downs, Chiltern Hills, and historic landmarks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Epic views, rolling countryside, and wild camping options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udccc Best for: Bikepackers, gravel riders, and history lovers looking for an epic off-road adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5\ufe0f\u20e3 Moors Valley Country Park \u2013 Fun & Flowing Trails \ud83d\udeb5\u200d\u2642\ufe0f\ud83c\udf32<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udccd Start: Moors Valley Visitor Centre<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udccc Google Maps Link<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2705 Distance: 10-20 km (6-12 miles)<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2705 Difficulty: Easy to Moderate<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2705 Terrain: Smooth gravel, forest singletrack<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udeb4\u200d\u2642\ufe0f Why Ride It?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Purpose-built cycling trails with options for all abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Traffic-free, family-friendly, and great for beginners or experienced riders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Fast, flowing sections through woodland with technical challenges for MTB riders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udccc Best for: Beginners, families, and anyone looking for an enjoyable, scenic off-road ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6\ufe0f\u20e3 Gillingham to Stourhead \u2013 Gravel & Woodland Ride \ud83d\udeb2\ud83c\udfe1<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udccd Start: Gillingham Town Centre<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udccc Google Maps Link<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2705 Distance: 30 km (19 miles)<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2705 Difficulty: Moderate<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2705 Terrain: Gravel tracks, forest trails, quiet lanes<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udeb4\u200d\u2642\ufe0f Why Ride It?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Peaceful countryside ride passing through forests and along the River Stour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Ends at Stourhead Gardens, a beautiful National Trust estate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Mix of gravel tracks, bridleways, and quiet lanes, making it ideal for gravel bikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udccc Best for: A scenic countryside adventure with a historic destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7\ufe0f\u20e3 Longleat Forest \u2013 Ride Through the Safari Park! \ud83e\udd81\ud83d\udeb4\u200d\u2640\ufe0f<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udccd Start: Warminster (Longleat Forest Entrance)<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udccc Google Maps Link<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2705 Distance: 25 km (15 miles)<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2705 Difficulty: Moderate<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2705 Terrain: Gravel roads, woodland paths, steep climbs<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udeb4\u200d\u2642\ufe0f Why Ride It?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 A one-of-a-kind ride through Longleat Forest with the chance to spot safari animals!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Challenging hills & fun descents make it great for MTB and gravel bikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Stunning views of Longleat House & surrounding countryside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udccc Best for: Adventurous riders looking for a unique cycling experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udd27 Essential Tips for Off-Road Cycling in Dorset & Wiltshire<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2714\ufe0f Best Bike Type: Gravel or mountain bikes are ideal\u2014many routes are too rough for road bikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2714\ufe0f Pack Essentials: Always carry a spare tube, pump, multi-tool, and snacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2714\ufe0f Check Weather: Some trails can get muddy in winter\u2014plan accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2714\ufe0f Use GPS & Maps: Download routes to Komoot, Ride with GPS, or Google Maps for navigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2714\ufe0f Respect the Trails: Stick to designated paths & bridleways to avoid damaging nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udd25 Final Thoughts: Where Will You Ride Next?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you\u2019re tackling The Ridgeway, exploring Cranborne Chase, or riding through Longleat Forest, there are plenty of incredible off-road trails waiting to be explored in Dorset & Wiltshire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udeb4\u200d\u2642\ufe0f Have you ridden any of these trails? Drop your experiences & route recommendations in the comments below! \ud83d\udcac\ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If you\u2019re looking for gravel paths, forest trails, and bridleways, Dorset and Wiltshire have some amazing off-road cycling routes. Whether you\u2019re riding a gravel bike, mountain bike, or hybrid, these traffic-free trails offer stunning countryside, technical challenges, and peaceful rides away from busy roads. Here are some of the best off-road cycling trails, complete with… Continue reading \ud83d\udeb5\u200d\u2642\ufe0f Best Off-Road Cycling Trails in Dorset & Wiltshire \ud83c\udf32\ud83c\udf3f<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17,20,18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-151","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cycling-in-dorset","category-destinations","category-guides","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/cycle.shaftesburycarers.org\/bikes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/cycle.shaftesburycarers.org\/bikes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/cycle.shaftesburycarers.org\/bikes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/cycle.shaftesburycarers.org\/bikes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/cycle.shaftesburycarers.org\/bikes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=151"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/cycle.shaftesburycarers.org\/bikes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":152,"href":"http:\/\/cycle.shaftesburycarers.org\/bikes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151\/revisions\/152"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/cycle.shaftesburycarers.org\/bikes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=151"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/cycle.shaftesburycarers.org\/bikes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=151"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/cycle.shaftesburycarers.org\/bikes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=151"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}