New Forest

This is approximately 30 miles on mostly forest roads, and some hardtop, around the lovely New Forest.

Within the Forest area there is a blanket 40mph speed limit unless posted differently. The Forest is home to the New Forest Ponies, and these creatures wander around the Forest at will. The Forest is also home to Cattle, Deer, and even some Pigs, so adhering to the speed limit makes sense, and as a result this makes the roads safer for cyclists.

First advise is find a local bike shop and buy a cycle route map, it will cost you 2pounds. Now this is not the greatest map I have ever seen, and finding a way onto the cycle routes was at times a little vague. However once on the routes, they are reasonably easy to follow. There are some numbered waymarker posts which give good reference to the map. On this featured 30 mile loop I did lose the cycle route completely between Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst, and had to do about 2.5 miles (4kms) on the A337. In fairness to the local drivers, they all gave me plenty of room, and did not at any time feel endangered.

The route starts and ends just outside Burley, I suggest you take plenty of refreshments etc, as much of the route is off road, and therefore not near to facilities.

30 Miles around the New Forest