Cycling UK King Alfred's Way full route
Despite only being launched in 2020, this 350km loop route around the Saxon kingdom of Wessex is steeped in history that will take you back to the Stone Age. Starting in Winchester, this largely off-road route begins at the burial spot of Alfred the Great in Winchester, and then passes his birthplace in Wantage, as well as iconic sites such as Stonehenge, Avebury stone circle, Iron Age hill forts, Farnham Castle, and Winchester and Salisbury Cathedrals. It connects the North and South Downs Ways, the Ridgeway and Thames Path and forms the backbone of adventure in SW heartland of England. Don’t be fooled by your potential passage through the idyllic landscapes that inspired artists like Paul Nash, it is a challenge. You’ll need to choose your bike wisely, as depending on the weather will decide for you whether a mountain or gravel bike are more suitable. Cycling UK is constantly working with riders, landowners and others to improve these routes. For the latest information, including guidebooks and advice see: https://www.cyclinguk.org/king-alfreds-way Find out what it's like to cycle the King Alfred's Way in this blog:

Winchester - Westgate
Route Starts at the Western gate of Winchester City, Close to the medieval Great Hall and site of the ancient Winchester Castle

Caution - Traffic
The route joins a main road with a short, steep hill and small, busy roundabout - follow the main line, and then turn off to the left back onto quiet streets as you pass the shops in the Weeke area of Winchester.

Sparsholt Lane (Alternative route choice)
Alternative route detours South along minor road and byways, but sections may be very muddy in winter

Caution - busy road through King's Somborne
Please take care.

Broughton Village
Pub & Useful, community run, village shop.

Caution - A30 Crossing
Be aware of fast traffic approaching this junction from both sides - you are headed straight over to the bridleway to the right of the minor road.

Caution - A338 Crossing
Please take care

Caution - A345 Crossing
Please take care.

Old Sarum
Old Sarum Hillfort outside Salisbury

Stonehenge Alternative route choice
Route splits here, main route is mainly minor road and cycle track nest to A30, and gives close up view of Stonehenge. The alternative route approaches Stonehenge via ancient byways, but may require dismount across National Trust land or short ride along main road.

Subway
Follow NCN route into Amesbury then head North, using cycle tracks etc. as appropriate until you reach the subway under the A303 at the Countess Roundabout

Larkhill
Military base and supporting shops and facilities - last real chance for supplies for a good few hours.

Grass track to side of Road
Often grassy Bridleway and Byway routes allow you to avoid the traffic along this stretch of the route, at the edge of the Salisbury Plain military training area. Please note all signage and take particular notice of RED FLAG safety closures throughout this section. Pay particular caution and give room to any military armoured vehicles whose speed and restricted vision may pose particular hazards.

Mod Camp & hard standing
please revert to road headed northwards if this area is in use by military units

The Bustard
This ancient coaching inn is an important local landmark. The byway direct across the ranges may be open at certain times of year, but please obey RED FLAG and observe safety messages. Do NOT be tempted to 'risk it' - the area is a live firing artillery range.

Byway to side of Road
Again, follow the byway to the side of the road. Be aware of military traffic on all other nearby routes

Bridleway to Orcheston
The direct road ahead passes Westdown military camp into Tilshead, but is subject to RED FLAG safety closures. Our route through Orcheston takes you past a useful campsite, pub and pretty village church. Bridleway becomes narrow, please slow down and be courteous.

Busy road crossing, please take care

Copehill Down
To the West, you will see a typical small German Town, that more recently doubled as an Afghan village. Copehill Down is in almost constant use for military FIBUA training.

Tilshead
Divert into village for overnight accommodation and small local shop.

Water Tower
Car Park and popular starting point for the Imber Range Perimeter Path, access to which has recently been extended to bikes and horses after 30 years of being promoted just for walkers.

Second, and final, crossing of this fast road. Take care.

Market Lavington
Follow the short tarmac road down the hill into Market Lavington - pubs & accommodation

Vale of Pewsey
You are now leaving the edge of the military training area, and crossing the Vale of Pewsey. A few narrow country lanes ahead, so be aware of traffic again.

Kennet and Avon Canal
Crossing the canal on a small byway bridge - a few miles of towpath westwards to Devizes, a few miles east to Pewsey and main-line Train Station

Wansdyke (Alternative route option)
Crossing this ancient defensive earthwork you have a chance to follow it Eastwards for a few miles if the ground is dry, to join the Ridgeway National Trail at its 'official' start point, but if you do this, you'll miss out on the spectacular sight of Avebury stone Circle.

Caution - Beckhampton road crossings
We cross two major roads here, the A4 and A361, but there are good sight lines and clear paths and crossing points. As usual, please take care.

Avebury Stone Circle
Spectacular to stop and explore, with a few nearby accommodation options and cafe's.

Ridgeway National Trail
Join the Ridgeway National Trail for the next 40 miles - the whole route between here and the river Thames is open for bikes and well signed.

As usual, please tale care.

Swindon-Marlborough cycle track
Break off into Swindon for main-line train route

Caution Ridgeway NT road section
For the next mile, the Ridgeway National Trail runs along a fairly busy section of road without a clear roadside/safe alternative, particularly over the M4 motorway bridge. Please take particular care over the bridge due to the roadside barriers.

Waylands Smithy
This is a key historic landmark on the Ridgeway National Trail route, and a great place to stop for a rest.

Uffington Castle
A popular ancient hill fort on the Ridgeway NT route. There is a large car park just down the hill, so a good spot to meet up with support crew/family & friends.

Segsbury Hill Fort
A good place to drop down on back roads to visit Wantage, Birth Place of King Alfred and packed with facilities - pubs, shops & accomodation. Also, just north of the hill-fort, is Court Hill Hostel - accommodation, cafe & camping

Caution - A338 Road Crossing
Offset road crossing means following the main road for a short distance, but there is a wide grassed verge to minimise risk.

East Hendred Down
Break North for about five miles along byway and cycle track to reach main-line trains at Didcot

A34 Underpass
Pass under main road via underpass

Goring/River Thames
Break away from the Ridgeway and join the Thames Path National Trail heading towards Mapledurham and Reading

Whitchurch-on-Thames
Leave Thames Path NT and head towards Mapledurham on the North bank of the river

Mapledurham
Stop and Explore - film buffs will recognise this as the village from 'The Eagle has Landed' - don't fall into the mill race!

Caversham
Caution as the approach to Caversham Bridge can see traffic jams. Do not cross the bridge here, but rain on the North bank of the Thames to cross at the new cycle bridge a few hundred yards along.

Reading City Centre
Follow the shared cycle path Eastwards. Main line train station is just a few yards away. Lots of cafe's and accommodation options through this bustling city centre.

Kennett Navigation
Route can get complex here and is subject to regular alterations - you won't go wrong if you follow signed cycle tracks to the South towards NCN route 4 and the Madejski Stadium.

Kennet and Avon Canal
NCN route 4 here follows the canal Westwards, back to where you crossed in the Vale of Pewsey. Cross bridge and Head South again, following signs for Madejski stadium - to can also begin to use the large wind turbine as a visual reference to say you are heading the right direction, as once again, cycle routes in this urban area are under constant change.

Follow signed cycle tracks
Break West for a short distance here, following the signed NCN cycle tracks as route has recently changed.

Cross M4 Motorway
This stretch of minor road crosses the M4 motorway, but can be busy as a rat-run at rush hour. Head towards Park & Ride and A33 road crossing

Caution A33 Road Crossing
Use well signed cycle infrastructure to cross main road at controlled crossings. Then look for the small wooded Byway to the Eastern side of the main road.

A33 Byway
Follow this byway, running parallel to the A33 dual-carriageway, Southwards.

Minor road to King's Bridge
follow minor roads and byways for the next couple of miles, as bridges and underpasses take you either side of the main road in style.

Devils Highway
This minor unclassified road is an ancient roman road and drift-way.

Bramshill Plantation
The route here is signed along the permissive track next to the road, however most of this Forestry-Comisssion managed woodland is well used by bikes, so there may be opportunities to explore.

Minor Lanes
Winding, low traffic lanes for a few miles - keep an eye out for WW2 pillboxes in the nearby hedgerows.

Hazeley Heath
This RSPB Reserve is heavily protected under international regulations due to the important nesting habitats - as are all the heathlands you are likely to encounter over the next twenty or so miles. Please stick to the obvious tracks, which have been developed as permissive bridleways. There are also numerous signs of WW2 training and camps across the common, including a steep incline used for armoured vehicle recovery training,

Tarmac track
follow track and cross main road - then through to Hazeley Bottom

Country Lanes to Murrell Green
Continue along these minor roads for a few miles

Caution - Murrell Green
Follow alongside main road and cross at safe point, before joining minor country road Southwards. Please take care.

Odiham Common
Our signed route follows the road through this section, toward the canal - with an alternative, faster route for those who want to go quicker or avoid any chance of conflict at peak times. The woodland to the side of here is Odiham Common, and carries rights of open access for air and exercise for walkers and horse riders, with a direct route to the Canal.

Basingstoke Canal (Alternative route option)
The core route covers a few miles of quiet tracks and road here, but an alternative canal towpath route exists. Carry on to the end of the road and through the underpass, where you can pick up the Basingstoke canal. The towpath is narrow, and can be busy at weekends - the alternative route here can be easier/quicker at times.

Eweshot
Keep a close eye out for WW2 pillboxes, this area was a heavily defended resistance nest as part of the GHQ defence line.

Ministry of Defence Permissive Access
The MOD have agreed a permissive bridleway in order to allow vulnerable users to avoid the busy road junction nearby. Please read, and take in, safety notices and show respect to troops who are training in this area. A short distance to your East is 'Caesar's Camp' - a popular local viewpoint and a great place to take a break.

Farnham Castle
Please take care crossing the road where this bridleway meets a blind corner. If not stopping to visit the castle, you need to go down the road for a couple of hundred yards then turn left into a narrow lane, before turning left again and entering the historic parkland. There is a permissive shared path through the park Eastwards, please show courtesy to other users. Alternatively, head into town for shops, accommodation, cafe's & Bike Shop (Hoops Velo)

Farnham Park Exit
Turn back on yourself and follow signs to Hospital, the rout then heads through back streets, and heads through a Subway to pass into the centre of a large roundabout with friendly pub.

Moor Park
The direct route ahead is heavily signed 'No Cycling' However a DMMO application is in with the council seeking an upgrade to Bridleway status based on historic evidence. Our Core route will hopefully move to this attractive carriage drive in the future.

Byway
Be aware that puddles ahead may be deep, be cautious.

Sheephatch Lane
The Byway route straight ahead takes you into Tilford Village, with small shop, lovely pubs, and a more direct route - the tarmac route marked is more indirect but offers fantastic views across the heaths and even a (seasonal) microbrewery taproom.

Farnham Heath RSPB
Please stick to rights of way to avoid disturbing the sensitive habitat for ground nesting birds

Frensham Ridge
Cracking views across the Surrey heathlands

MOD Hankley Common
Please obey safety notices and respect permissive access rules.

Lions Mouth
Just to the west of here is a spectacular section or WW2 concrete 'atlantic wall' built for Canadian & British troops to train for the Normandy landings.

Thursley Common NNR
This Natural England managed nature reserve is an important site for biodiversity, usual rules apply. Be aware that some of the trail here van be very sandy in summer so don't expect quick progress.

Thursley Village
Large car park and friendly pub

Gibbett Hill
One of the highest points in Surrey. Fantastic views across the landscape

National Trust Devil's Punchbowl
Important local recreation site, large car park, cafe & toilets

A couple of miles of roadwork here, but not too busy - usual caution applies.

MOD Bramshott Common
Please observe safety notices

A3 Crossing
Useful bridge makes this a breeze.

MOD Longmoor
Please observe safety notices. Follow Signs for Shipwrights way to Liss

Liss Railway Station
Useful quick line to waterloo. Divert from Shipwrights way here to follow our preferred route - or continue on the Shipwrights way to overnight in Petersfield is preferred.

B3006 Road
this short stretch of road and crossroads may be busy at peak times

Crossroads
Please take care. You are headed straight over and then up minor road next to pub.

A272 Crossing
Fast traffic from both sides - head straight over of gateway and dirt road, then follow the minor road to your right, the line of the old main road.

South Downs Way
Join South Downs Way National Trail, follow NT signage for next 30 miles to Cheesefoot Head

Queen Elizabeth Country Park
Forestry Commission woodlands with car park, visitor centre & MTB trails

A3 Underpass
Pass under A3 main road, follow Ridgeway National Trail signage.

Follow Ridgeway Signage

Wetherdown Lodge Eco-Hostel

Old Winchester Hill NNR
Ancient hill-fort

A32 Crossing
Slight offset at this junction, please take care.

Please take care.

Cheesefoot Head
The natural amphitheatre to the North of here was used by Eisenhower to brief American troops prior to D-Day.

Leave South Downs NT route
Our alternative route into the city is more attractive and avoids a number of issues with access that the formal route has been working to overcome.

Road Crossing
Please take care at cross junction.

M3 Twyford Down Crossing
This was the signs of extensive protest action in the early 1990's due to the destruction of chalk grasslands, a protected natural habitat.

Itchen Way
Follow disused rail route and marked routes into Winchester city centre.

Statue of King Alfred
Official end of South Downs Way National Trail, and our route as well. Cathedral is a short way up the high street.

Cycling UK King Alfred's Way full route