Sometimes the best cycling weekends are the ones you don’t spend months planning.
I’ve wanted to go gravel cycling in the New Forest for a while. It’s come up on my radar plenty of times and, at around a two-and-a-half-hour drive from home in Essex, it’s really not that far away. Far enough to feel like you’ve gone somewhere, but close enough that you don’t need to pack your bike into a box and get on a plane.
So when my cycling friend Debbie was hosting a women’s Gravel & Chats weekender in the New Forest, I made a very last-minute decision to join them.
I couldn’t make the full three days of riding, but I had some credit left on Outfit which I used towards a night at the same hotel as the group. In fact, the $50 credit you can currently get for signing up covered around half of my one-night stay, which made a spontaneous cycling trip feel a little more doable.
There were four of us riding, including Debbie who was leading the weekend. I drove down on Friday and joined them for an easy shakeout spin — a chance to get the legs moving, check the bikes over and get our first taste of the New Forest — before the main gravel ride on Saturday.
And I LOVED it.
New scenery, miles of gravel and, possibly my favourite bit, I wasn’t in charge of anything. No route planning. No ride leading. I didn’t even have time to load the route onto my GPS. I just followed wheels and enjoyed the ride.
That doesn’t mean it was easy. Saturday’s route definitely challenged me in places, but it was exactly the kind of carefree cycling weekend I needed.
I left on Saturday evening while the others stayed to ride again on Sunday, already knowing I wanted to come back. And that’s partly why I’m writing this guide: so I have everything saved for next time, for the memories but also to help anyone else looking for somewhere new to ride without needing to fly with a bike.
Load yours into the car, hop on a train or hire one when you get there — and go explore the New Forest.
How to Get to the New Forest
Driving to the New Forest
For me, driving was the easiest option — mainly because I could chuck my bike and kit in the car and go.
From home in Essex, just outside northeast London, the drive to Lyndhurst took around two and a half hours, give or take traffic. I left around midday on the Friday and arrived in time for a late lunch before we headed out for our easy shakeout ride at around 4.30pm.
There are plenty of motorway services along the way if you want to break up the journey, but I decided to get it done in one hit. It was a pretty straightforward drive and, honestly, the fact that I can get to the New Forest in a couple of hours with my own bike in the back of the car is one of the reasons I can see myself going back.
If you’re driving, where you stay will probably depend on the routes you want to ride, but Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst, Burley and the surrounding villages all put you within easy reach of the Forest.
Getting to the New Forest by Train
You definitely don’t need a car to make a New Forest cycling weekend work.
There are railway stations at Ashurst, Brockenhurst, Beaulieu Road and Sway within the National Park, with other useful stations around the Forest including Lymington and New Milton.
If I was planning a car-free cycling trip, Brockenhurst would be high on my list as a base. It has direct rail connections from London Waterloo and is right in the heart of the New Forest, with shops, cafés, accommodation, bike hire and access to the cycling network from the village.
South Western Railway services connect the New Forest with London Waterloo and destinations including Southampton and Bournemouth, while CrossCountry also serves Brockenhurst.
So if travelling with your own bike on the train isn’t your idea of fun, another option is to travel light and hire one when you arrive.
Where to Stay for Cycling in the New Forest
We based ourselves in Lyndhurst, which worked really well for a weekend of gravel cycling in the New Forest. We were close enough to ride straight from the hotel into the Forest, while still having shops, cafés and places to eat within walking distance.
I stayed at Ormonde House Hotel on Southampton Road, right on the outskirts of Lyndhurst. I paid under £100 for one night in late September – including adding on breakfast the following morning – which I thought was really reasonable.
The hotel itself is in an older building, so don’t expect super-modern interiors, but it was clean, comfortable and had everything I needed for a cycling weekend. My room was spacious with a double bed, and there’s also a lovely outdoor area if the weather is playing ball.
Lyndhurst High Street was only around a 10-minute walk away and, more importantly, we could get on our bikes and be riding in the Forest pretty quickly. It felt similar to riding from my house to Epping Forest at home — no faffing around loading bikes back into cars before every ride.
What About Bike Storage?
This is always one of my first questions when I’m travelling with a bike.
Ormonde House has a locked wooden storage shed in the garden, but I decided not to leave my bike there overnight. With a brand-new gravel bike, I wasn’t willing to find out the hard way whether my insurance would consider a wooden garden shed sufficiently secure!
Thankfully, the hotel was happy for us to take our bikes into our rooms. Mine was on the second floor, so rather than attempt several flights of stairs with a bike, I left it in one of the other girls’ first-floor rooms overnight.
There was plenty of parking at the hotel too. I checked out on Saturday morning but was able to leave my car there while we headed out for our main ride, then came back to collect it before driving home.
How I Used Outfit to Plan My New Forest Stay
You’ll see Outfit mentioned a few times throughout this guide, so let me explain what it actually is.
Outfit is a travel discovery and booking platform that gives you personalised accommodation, dining and activity recommendations based on the things you actually enjoy doing when you travel.
My Outfit profile knows, for example, that I’m into cycling and that a good café is never going to go unappreciated. For this trip, it gave me suggestions for places to eat, ride and explore around Lyndhurst rather than me having to start completely from scratch.
I also had Outfit credit available, which I used to book my night at Ormonde House Hotel.
If you sign up to Outfit using my referral link, you’ll currently get $50 in travel credit to put towards an eligible stay. To put that into perspective, that would have covered around half of what I paid for my night at Ormonde House, including breakfast.
And you’re not limited to the New Forest — you can use Outfit to discover and book stays elsewhere too.
Outfit’s New Forest Recommendations
For transparency, these are some of the recommendations Outfit specifically generated for me based on my profile. I haven’t personally visited all of them, so consider them inspiration for your trip (and my next one!) rather than personal reviews.
For cycling, Outfit suggested The Woods Cyclery in Lyndhurst for bike hire, its café and route advice; Millyford Bridge Inclosure for gravel trails and a more peaceful ride or walk; and exploring the wider New Forest National Park cycle network.
For food and coffee, it suggested Forest Edge Roasting Co, a woman-owned specialty coffee roaster; The Forage for food and coffee; and La Pergola, a family-run Italian restaurant. The rest of our group actually ate at La Pergola on Saturday night and enjoyed it — just make sure you book because it gets busy.
And if you want to do something other than ride, Outfit also suggested New Forest Heritage Centre, Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary and Rhinefield Ornamental Drive.
Bike Hire in the New Forest
I took my own gravel bike with me, but if you don’t have one — or just don’t fancy travelling with your bike — there are plenty of places to hire a bike in the New Forest.
If you specifically want a gravel bike, rather than a standard hybrid or mountain bike, one option is Forest Leisure Cycling in Burley, which offers both flat-bar and drop-bar gravel bikes.
Another convenient option is Cyclexperience, based at Brockenhurst railway station car park. That makes it particularly handy if you’re travelling by train: get off the train, pick up your bike and start exploring.
There’s also The Woods Cyclery in Lyndhurst, which was one of the recommendations Outfit gave me and has the added bonus of a café.
Whatever you choose, I’d book ahead if you’re visiting over a weekend, particularly if you want a specific size or drop-bar gravel bike.
Gravel Cycling Routes in the New Forest
Now for the important bit: where to actually ride!
I’ve got four New Forest gravel routes to share, ranging from around 20km to almost 100km. I personally rode the Friday and Saturday routes, while the Sunday recovery ride and longer 100km route were shared with me by the group.
One thing worth knowing before you set off: New Forest gravel isn’t necessarily easy gravel.
There were plenty of lovely, flowing sections, but we also encountered loose rocks and bigger stones, sandy patches, rolling hills and some more challenging climbs. There are also LOTS of gates, so expect plenty of stopping and starting.
You don’t need to be an expert gravel rider, but I’d say you’ll enjoy these routes much more if you already have some confidence handling your bike on loose and uneven surfaces.
The reward? The scenery.
There was pretty much always something to look at. Open landscapes, forest, horses, donkeys, cows, deer, walkers and plenty of other cyclists. We also spent surprisingly little time on connecting roads, which made it feel like a proper escape.
We were ridiculously lucky with the weather too. For late September, we had beautiful sunshine and temperatures in the low-to-mid 20s on both days I rode. There was a bit of a breeze — and inevitably some headwind — but I’ll take that!
Route 1: Gravel & Chats Quick Spin
Distance: 19.7km
Elevation: approx. 207m
Start/finish: Lyndhurst
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
This was our Friday afternoon shakeout ride after arriving in Lyndhurst.
We headed out at around 4.30pm with no real agenda other than getting our legs moving, checking everything was working on the bikes and getting our first taste of riding in the New Forest.
At just under 20km, it’s a great option if you’ve arrived later in the day, don’t have time for a big ride or simply want something shorter.
Route 2: Our Main New Forest Gravel Ride
Distance: 61.4km
Elevation: approx. 692m
Start/finish: Lyndhurst
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Saturday was the main event.
We eventually rolled out at around 10.40am and spent the day exploring just over 60km of the New Forest.
This route had a bit of everything: fast gravel, loose and rocky sections, sand, rolling terrain and enough climbing for my Garmin to keep announcing that yet another climb was approaching.
There wasn’t really any necessary hike-a-bike. I did choose to walk a couple of hills later in the ride when hunger had well and truly arrived, but otherwise everything was rideable.
And that’s probably my biggest tip for this route: take enough food and don’t wait for the lunch stop to fuel!
We stopped plenty along the way for photos, nutrition, water, rests and, obviously, chats. This wasn’t about smashing out 60km as quickly as possible; it was about spending a day exploring somewhere new by bike.
Route 3: New Forest Short Loop
Distance: 21.2km
Elevation: approx. 171m
Start/finish: Lyndhurst
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
I headed home on Saturday evening, but the rest of the group stayed until Sunday and finished the weekend with this shorter loop.
I haven’t personally ridden the complete route, but at just over 20km with around 171m of climbing, it’s another option to save if you want a shorter New Forest gravel ride.
It could work particularly well for the final morning of a cycling weekend when you want to squeeze in one more ride before heading home.
Route 4: New Forest 100km Gravel Route
Distance: 97.7km
Elevation: approx. 748m
Difficulty: A bigger day out!
And if 20km or 60km isn’t enough for you, I’ve also got something longer.
One of the women on our weekend shared this almost-100km New Forest gravel route. I haven’t ridden it myself, but I’m including it as inspiration if you’re looking to make a proper day of exploring the Forest.
You’ll definitely want to plan your food, water and stops before setting off — and leave yourself plenty of daylight to enjoy it.
Maybe one for my next visit…
Where to Eat in Lyndhurst and the New Forest
One thing you definitely won’t struggle with in Lyndhurst is finding somewhere to eat. There are plenty of cafés, pubs and restaurants within walking distance, plus some great places to stop while you’re out riding.
Quick & Easy: Tesco Express
Not every meal on a cycling weekend needs to be Instagram-worthy.
I arrived in Lyndhurst on Friday with limited time before our 4.30pm ride, so I headed straight to Tesco Express, grabbed a meal deal for under £4 and called that lunch.
Cheap, quick and enough fuel to get me through our first 20km spin. Job done.
Dinner: Chiang Mai Thai
On Friday evening, we ate at Chiang Mai Thai on Lyndhurst High Street.
This was such a good find. The restaurant itself was lovely, the food was great and I went for a starter, Pad Thai and a very nice lychee drink.
After an afternoon on the bike, it absolutely hit the spot.
Mid-Ride: Trailside Cafe Bolderwood
If you’re cycling around Bolderwood, keep an eye out for Trailside Cafe Bolderwood.
It’s a little mobile coffee shop that’s perfectly positioned for a mid-ride drink or snack. We carried on towards our planned lunch stop, but if I was riding the same route again, I’d seriously consider stopping here to break up the ride and refuel earlier.
Lunch: The Royal Oak, Fritham
Our main Saturday stop was The Royal Oak in Fritham, where I had a Ploughman’s lunch and discovered the joy of a pint of orange juice and lemonade.
Lunch is served from 12pm–3pm, Wednesday to Sunday, so I’d recommend planning your ride accordingly. We arrived after 3pm and they very kindly still fed four extremely hungry cyclists, but I definitely wouldn’t bank on being as lucky!
Pizza: La Pergola
I headed home on Saturday evening, but the rest of the group stayed and ate at La Pergola, a family-run Italian restaurant a short walk from our hotel.
This was one of the restaurants Outfit recommended based on my travel profile, and the girls confirmed that the food was good.
One important thing: book ahead. La Pergola is popular and gets busy, so don’t assume you’ll be able to wander in and get a table, particularly at the weekend.
Saved for Next Time
Outfit also suggested a couple of Lyndhurst spots that sound very much up my street.
Forest Edge Roasting Co is a woman-owned specialty coffee roaster and dog-friendly, while The Forage was another recommendation for food and coffee.
I didn’t get to either on this trip, so consider these recommendations from Outfit rather than places I’ve personally tried. If you get there before me, you’ll have to report back!
What to Pack for Gravel Cycling in the New Forest
Our pre-weekend packing list was actually pretty simple. Think your usual gravel cycling kit, enough layers for changeable British weather and — having learnt this one personally — more ride nutrition than you think you’ll need.
Bike & Repair Kit
Obviously, you’ll need your bike unless you’re hiring one when you arrive.
I’d also carry your usual basic repair kit, including spare inner tubes or your tubeless repair setup, tyre levers, pump or CO2 inflator, multitool and anything specific you might need for your bike.
The New Forest routes we rode included some pretty rocky sections, so this isn’t somewhere I’d head out without the basics to get myself going again.
Food & Hydration
Take snacks. Then take another snack.
Even if you’re planning café or pub stops, opening times, your pace and the inevitable photo/chat/donkey stops can mean you’re out for longer than expected.
I’d take enough food to comfortably cover the ride without relying on somewhere being open.
For hydration, I carried two bottles: one with water and one with electrolytes. My bottles were my new Muc-Off x Fidlock Twist bottles (+ bike base), which attach directly to the bike using Fidlock’s magnetic-mechanical mounting system rather than traditional bottle cages. My link or code – ELLE20 – gets you 20% off products direct from Muc-Off.
I was also using FreeSoul’s Hydrate lychee electrolytes, which I’m currently loving. and of course I got you with a discount! use code KISE15 for 15% off including subscriptions.
Cycling Kit & Layers
What you wear will obviously depend on the season and forecast. We got ridiculously lucky with warm, sunny weather in late September, but I still wouldn’t head into the New Forest without checking the forecast and carrying an extra layer if conditions could change.
For a day on the gravel, I’d pack your helmet, glasses, cycling jersey and bibs, gloves, gravel or MTB shoes, a lightweight waterproof or packable layer and lights just in case.
For the rest of the weekend, you really don’t need much. Some casual clothes for dinner, something comfy for travelling home and you’re sorted.
And possibly the least glamorous but most practical thing on our packing list: an old towel for your bike. If the weather turns or the trails are muddy, you’ll be very glad you have something to wipe it down with before loading it into the car or taking it inside your accommodation.
Packing List
Things to Know Before Gravel Cycling in the New Forest
Download Your Route Before You Ride
I’d definitely recommend having GPS navigation and downloading your route before setting off.
We only took a couple of wrong turns, but when you’re gravel cycling it isn’t always immediately obvious which of several tracks your route wants you to take.
Add in some patchy phone signal and this isn’t somewhere I’d want to rely solely on loading a route from my phone as I went.
Prepare for A LOT of Gates
There are plenty of gates.
Not enough to ruin the ride, but enough that eventually you’ll start thinking, another one?!
Riding as a group made things easier because we took turns holding gates open while everyone else rode through. If you’re riding alone, just factor in a fair amount of stopping and starting.
Start With Full Bottles – And Bring Enough Food
For our longer ride, I started with two full bottles and they got me through to our pub stop where I could refill.
I’d definitely start a longer New Forest ride fully stocked rather than assuming you’ll find somewhere to refill along the way.
And take more food than you think you’ll need. Your ride shouldn’t fall apart if you reach a planned food stop later than expected or somewhere happens to be closed.
You Don’t Need to Be an Expert Gravel Rider
I’d describe the riding we did as challenging in a good way.
If you’re comfortable riding gravel and have some basic bike-handling skills, you should be absolutely fine. Take your time through the rockier sections and don’t feel like you have to fly down everything.
If you’ve ridden somewhere like Epping Forest, most of the terrain won’t feel completely alien. The biggest difference for me was probably encountering sand, which isn’t something I regularly deal with at home.
It felt like enough of a challenge that I finished feeling I’d accomplished something, rather than the kind of ride that completely batters you.
Think About Your Tyre Pressure
My 2026 Liv Devote Advanced Pro was absolutely in its element here.
I’m running 700 x 40c tyres and dropped my pressure slightly to around 30 PSI to give me a little more confidence and comfort rolling over the rockier sections.
There’s obviously no single correct tyre pressure for everyone — your tyres, setup, rider weight, luggage and conditions all matter — but it’s worth thinking about before you hit the trails rather than automatically running the same pressure you’d use on the road.
Give the Animals Space
Horses, ponies, donkeys, cows, deer… there are animals everywhere, and honestly, this was one of my favourite things about riding in the New Forest.
Most of them appeared completely uninterested in us, although occasionally a horse would decide it needed to cross the road.
Give them plenty of space, slow down when necessary and be prepared to stop.
Obviously, we also stopped to say hello to the animals approximately as many times as we wanted. This was a social gravel weekend, not the Tour de France.
Riding Solo? Go For It!
Having experienced the trails, I’d you would feel comfortable riding here alone.
We regularly saw other cyclists, walkers, hikers and groups out enjoying the Forest, particularly as we were riding over a sunny weekend.
I’d still make sure someone knew my route, download it to my GPS, carry everything needed for basic repairs and remember that phone signal can disappear in places.
That said, gravel is very good with friends. Especially when there are 700 gates to open.
If You Can, Make a Weekend of It
This is probably the biggest thing I’d change next time.
I drove around two and a half hours to the New Forest on Friday, rode that afternoon, stayed one night, completed our 60km ride on Saturday and then had another two-and-a-half-hour drive home.
Doable? Yes.
Would I choose to do it that way again? Probably not.
Next time I’d stay for two nights, start the main ride a little earlier and actually stop at Trailside Cafe Bolderwood before continuing to The Royal Oak for lunch — preferably arriving before the kitchen closes this time.
It would mean less rushing, more time to explore and, crucially, no long drive home immediately after a big day on the bike.
Is the New Forest Worth Visiting for Gravel Cycling?
For me, absolutely — and I’m already thinking about my next visit.
The New Forest is close enough to home that I can throw my bike in the car and be there in a couple of hours, but different enough from my usual Epping Forest rides to feel like I’ve actually gone away for a cycling weekend.
The riding was varied, challenging without completely battering me, and there was always something to look at. Forest trails, open landscapes, rocky sections, sand, rolling hills and SO many animals.
Add in good food stops and plenty of places to stay, and it makes a pretty great destination for a gravel weekend.
I also love that you don’t necessarily need to bring your own bike. You could drive down with everything you need, take the train and hire a bike when you arrive, or make it part of a longer trip exploring the area.
My only regret? Trying to squeeze everything into one night. But I had an amazing two days thanks to Debbie, Laura and Carol.
Next time, I’m staying for two nights though. I’d ride some new routes, revisit some of our favourites, make that stop at Trailside Cafe Bolderwood and hopefully tackle a little more of what the New Forest has to offer.
Considering this entire trip started with a last-minute “shall I just go?”, I’d say that worked out rather well.
Got any New Forest tips or route recommendations? Drop them in the comments below.
Elle
