Gravel Riding in The New Forest.

Starting on Friday 4th April 2025, I am running weekly Gravel Cycling Holiday Breaks/Weekends.

2 Nights & 3 Days Gravel Cycling

Arrive on Friday afternoon for a short ride of approximately 2 hours before settling into your hotel for a comfortable stay to enjoy an optional evening meal and with Breakfast in the morning.

After a good Breakfast, Saturday’s gravel ride is set for approx. 40 - 70 miles on the gravel path’s leaving the hotel at 9:30. There will be a coffee and a lunch stop planned to ensure proper refueling. On Sunday morning at 9:00 for a 20 - 40 mile gravel ride is planned before setting off home in the (early) afternoon. All routes can be altered to suit your needs and abilities. Your stay at either The Balmer Lawn Hotel, Careys Manor both located in Brockenhurst, Master Builders Hotel in Bucklers Hard & The Montagu Arms in Beaulieu.

You can bring your own gravel bike or MTB, or we can arrange this for you at a competitive price at a nearby cycle shop.

New Forest National Park: Despite being the UK's smallest National Park in Hampshire (219sq miles) there are over 100 miles (160km) of gravel roads within the boundaries. This myriad of gravel tracks offer an infinite number of route options, gravel cycling in the New Forest is only permitted on certain paths so keep to the waymarked gravel tracks if you decide to veer off any of the seven routes. The trails are well-surfaced with compact gravel so all bikes with any sized off-road tyre will be suitable. All Tours are on mixed terrain with varying ratios of gravel to tarmac, which you can see in each of the Tour descriptions.

Cycling in the New Forest is enjoyable and practical all year round with vibrant autumnal colours, magical winter frosts, blooming spring landscapes and bright summer days. Gravel cycling in the New Forest is only permitted on certain paths so keep to the waymarked gravel tracks if you decide to veer off any of the seven routes. The trails are well-surfaced with compact gravel so all bikes with any sized off-road tyre will be suitable. All Tours are on mixed terrain with varying ratios of gravel to tarmac, which you can see in each of the Tour descriptions.

Historically, the New Forest was established as a royal hunting ground by William the Conqueror in 1079. Later, it played a vital part in both the First and Second World Wars and the build-up to the D-Day landings. It gained national park status in 2005.

In the heart of the New Forest lies Brockenhurst, a well-connected town served by regular trains from London and the South West.

Note: Ponies freely wander the park grazing and can get aggressive in the autumn (when visitor numbers decline, so they get fed less)! Also, during 2 months in Autumn pigs rummage green acorns (poisonous to the ponies) in what is called Pannage.