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Off-road cycling in Wiltshire
Off-road cycling is the ideal way to explore Wiltshire's glorious countryside. It is easy to see why much of the county is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - rolling hills with spectacular views, peaceful wooded valleys and prehistoric sites abound.
The network of well maintained routes allows you to enjoy the peace of 'off-roading' at your own pace and in harmony with the countryside. Friendly country pubs and village shops are never far away and can supply all your daily needs. Many of Wiltshire's attractions and most scenic towns and villages (such as Longleat, Stourhead, Lacock and Marlborough) are accessible from the Wiltshire Cycleway, which connects many of the off-road routes. Away from the high profile attractions, you can be sure that your peace will not be disturbed by crowds of other cyclists. Wiltshire's magnificent countryside remains a largely undiscovered secret.
We have a variety of accommodation to match your requirements - from campsites to luxurious hotels. Accommodation guides are available from Tourist Information Centres throughout the county. If you would like a holiday organised for you, specialist tour operators will be happy to do this.
We hope that this information will encourage you to visit Wiltshire and spend time enjoying its beautiful countryside by bicycle.
In this section you will find:
- 10 cycle routes with instructions
- The locations of pubs, facilities and points of interest
Please note: the information contained in this section was collated in 2000 by Wiltshire Tourism, to form a pack that was co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, The Countryside Agency and the South West of England Regional Development Agency.
Mountain Bike Code of Conduct
Rights of Way
- Bridleways: open to cyclists, but you must give way to walkers and horse-riders
- Byways: usually unsurfaced tracks open to cyclists. As well as walkers and horse riders, you may meet occasional vehicles which also have right of access
- Public footpaths: no right to cycle exists
- Look out for waymarking arrows - blue for bridleways, red for byways and yellow for footpaths
- Follow the Country Code
Safety
- Ensure that your bike is in good working order
- You are required by law to use front and rear lights after dark
- Always tell someone where you are going
- Learn to apply the basic principles of first aid
- Reflective materials on your clothes or bike can save your life
- Ride under control downhill
- Always wear a helmet
- Particular care should be taken on unstable or wet surfaces
- Remember to take refreshment, puncture repair kit, tool kit, first aid and identification (in case of accident)
- Always follow the Highway Code
- Give way to walkers and horse riders
Off-road Cycling Routes
>>Download a map of Wiltshire showing the location of the off-road cycling routes
- Castle Combe and North Wiltshire - 16 miles (26 km)
- Marlborough Downs - 22 miles (35 km)
- Avebury and Wansdyke - 18 miles (29 km)
- Pewsey Hill - 12 miles (20 km)
- Westbury White Horse - 10 miles (16 km)
- Longleat - 11 miles (18 km)
- The Great Ridge - 19 miles (30 km)
- White Sheet Hill - 12 miles (19.6 km)
- Teffont Magna (Farmer Giles Farmstead) - 6 miles (10 km)
- Salisbury's Drove Roads - 31 miles (50 km)
1. Castle Combe and North Wiltshire
2. Marlborough Downs
3. Avebury and Wansdyke
4. Pewsey Hill
5. Westbury White Horse
6. Longleat
7. The Great Ridge
Route review with update to directions
"Tried the Great Ridge route yesterday - good route, and description was fine except for a couple of places where the stated distances were a bit misleading: At the top of the track from Tytherington, the left turn into the 'easily missed tree lined track' is immediately after you join the track coming in from the right - more like 10 yards after the junction rather than 100 yards. On the climb back up the hillside after Sherrington, the two distances are the wrong way round - its half a mile to the junction with the tarmac lane and then about a mile to the barn on the right." I.W.
8. White Sheet Hill
>>Download route map and directions
9. Teffont Magna (Farmer Giles Farmstead)
>>Download route map and directions
10. Salisbury's Drove Roads
