Explore King Alfred’s Way: An Adventure for Cyclists

Cyclists now have a brilliant new excuse to get on their bikes with the newly launched King Alfred’s Way. This off-road trail opens up swathes of beautiful English countryside and picturesque towns for two-wheel adventures, while connecting cyclists with World Heritage sites like Stonehenge and the Iron Age hill forts.

King Alfred’s Way, an exhilarating off-road adventure trail, runs through historic Wessex, beginning and ending in the ancient cathedral city of Winchester. Spanning 350km (220 miles), it’s a journey that takes approximately two days, passing iconic locations including World Heritage Sites at Stonehenge and Avebury, along with Iron Age hill forts at Old Sarum and Barbury Castle.

Three women ride into Winchester along the Itchen Way cycle path, past St Catherine’s Hill nature reserve © Robert Spanring/Cycling UK

Named after Alfred the Great, the Saxon king who is buried in Winchester, this route was designed by the charity Cycling UK. They spent three years upgrading footpaths, bridleways, byways, and quiet country lanes on existing trails, making them more accessible for cyclists and horse riders. Consequently, charity officials hope it encourages people to venture out into the great outdoors to appreciate England’s well-known landmarks and savor the nuances of its hidden gems.

Four people cycle past Winchester Cathedral, one of the largest cathedrals in Europe and one of many impressive historic monuments along King Alfred’s Way © Robert Spanring/Cycling UK

“There’s no need to fly or, for many, even travel far for a challenging trip,” stated campaigns manager Sophie Gordon. “King Alfred’s Way comprises 220 miles of literal ups and downs, looping through quintessential southern England filled with thatched cottages, Iron Age hill forts, and stone circles.”

According to Cycle UK, the terrain is ideal for gravel bikes, and the journey could be accomplished in about two days as a bikepacking trip or through point-to-point day rides passing through Reading, Winchester, and Salisbury. Mountain biking skills aren’t required; however, a good level of fitness is necessary.

Katherine Moore, Sophie Gordon, and Sam Jones push their bikes up an unrideable section of the Thames Path. The Thames Path is one of the four national trails King Alfred’s Way links up © annier.cc / David Sear

Bicycle touring is shifting gears in Great Britain, especially in England. While much of the countryside has been accessible for walkers since the Countryside Act of 1947, improvements for cycling access have lagged. England boasts 15 national trails, yet only two— the Pennine Bridleway and the South Downs Way— are fully cyclable from end to end. The aim is to create a network of long-distance cycle routes that traverse the length and breadth of Great Britain.

“With King Alfred’s Way, we want to demonstrate what is possible if we address the missing links between our national trails, consequently making the countryside accessible for everyone— walkers, horse riders, and cyclists alike,” Sophie added.

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