Bikepack King Alfred's Way and explore 353km of ancient trackways, rolling chalk downs, and quiet rural lanes through the historic landscapes of Wessex, in a circular loop from the Anglo-Saxon capital of Winchester. Devised by Cycling UK and linking some of England's most iconic off-road trails, including the Ridgeway, North Downs Way, and South Downs Way, this is one of the most historically rich and accessible bikepacking routes in the country.

Suitable for beginner and experienced MTB and gravel riders alike, this trusted Cicerone guidebook describes the full 353km route in 7 stages of 40–60km, completable in 3 to 7 days. Flexible alternative schedules for wild camping, campsites, and hostel and B&B accommodation make it easy to tailor the adventure to your style and available time.

• Ride King Alfred's Way in 7 stages from Winchester, following ancient trackways and chalk downs through the Test Valley, Salisbury Plain, the Vale of Pewsey, the Ridgeway, the Thames Valley, the Forest of Eversley, the North Downs, and the South Downs back to Winchester.
• Discover the highlights of King Alfred's Way, including Winchester itself, Old Sarum and the haunting Neolithic landscape of Salisbury Plain, Stonehenge, the world's largest stone circle at Avebury, the White Horse of Uffington, the mysterious Wayland's Smithy, and the rolling heathland of the South Downs.
• Choose a schedule to suit your style, with flexible alternative itineraries for wild camping, campsites, and hostel and B&B accommodation, breaking the route into between 3 and 7 days, with suggested wild camping spots included throughout.
• Navigate with confidence using 1:150,000 maps and GPX files available to download for every stage, with clear rider-focused route descriptions throughout.
• Plan your King Alfred's Way adventure with route summary tables, a full accommodation appendix, bike shop listings, and recommended kit lists covering everything you need for a successful bikepacking trip.
• Access the route easily by train from London and from the north and west of the UK, with Winchester well connected by rail and practical getting there information provided throughout the guide.

Take on King Alfred's Way with confidence using the definitive Cicerone guidebook. From the ancient streets of Winchester to the open chalk downs of Wessex, this is the essential companion for one of southern England's most rewarding and historically rich bikepacking adventures.

Bikepacking King Alfred's Way – Quick Facts

Location: England – southern England, Wessex; circular route from Winchester
Start and finish: Winchester
Route covered: 353km (219 miles) circular loop
Number of stages: 7 stages (40–60km each)
Direction: Circular; described anticlockwise
Typical duration: 3–7 days depending on schedule chosen
Difficulty: Most stages easy; North Downs and South Downs stages moderate; main challenge is the overall distance
Bike type: Suitable for mountain bikes and gravel bikes
Terrain: Ancient trackways, chalk downs, quiet rural lanes, sections of the Ridgeway, North Downs Way, and South Downs Way
Navigation/mapping: 1:150,000 maps included for each stage; GPX files available to download
Key centres: Winchester, Salisbury, Avebury, Reading, Farnham, Liss, Liphook
Highlights: Winchester, Old Sarum, Stonehenge, Salisbury Plain, Avebury stone circle, White Horse of Uffington, Wayland's Smithy, the Ridgeway, South Downs
Accommodation & logistics: Alternative schedules for wild camping, campsites, and hostels and B&Bs; full accommodation appendix, bike shop listings, and recommended kit lists included
Best time to go: Spring, summer, and autumn preferred; winter possible but best avoided to protect trail surfaces
Companion title: Bikepacking: South East Gravel (also available from Cicerone)

Author Highlight

“What sets bikepacking apart from classic cycle touring is the terrain; instead of paved roads, you’ll travel along bridleways, green lanes, forest tracks and forgotten rights of way. Sometimes, taking the road, or staying in a B&B or hostel, makes sense, but bikepacking is generally defined as an off-road cycling and camping adventure. It also differs from traditional mountain biking: you won’t find endless high-speed, technical descents here, although there are some, but instead a journey of exploration. Immersing yourself in ancient landscapes and remote trails becomes a kind of pilgrimage.”

- Ed Hunton, author of Bikepacking King Alfred's Way

Map key 
Route summary table 
Alternative schedules: hostels and B&Bs 
Alternative schedules: wild camping 
Alternative schedules: campsites 
Introduction 
What is bikepacking? 
Planning your ride 
What to take 
Rights of way 
Navigation 
Accommodation 
Fuel strategies 
About the route 
Using this guide 
The route 
Stage 1 Test Valley: Winchester to Old Sarum 
Stage 2 Salisbury Plain: Old Sarum to Chirton 
Stage 3 Vale of Pewsey and Ridgeway Part I: Chirton to Uffington Castle 
Stage 4 Ridgeway Part II and Thames Valley: Uffington Castle to Reading 
Stage 5 Forest of Eversley: Reading to Farnham 
Stage 6 North Downs: Farnham to Forty Acre Lane 
Stage 7 South Downs: Forty Acre Lane to Winchester 
Appendix A Accommodation 
Appendix B Bike shops 
Appendix C Recommended kit lists

Seasons

Any season, but spring, summer and autumn are best to avoid churning up the trails.

Centres

Winchester, Salisbury, Avebury, Reading, Farnham, Liss, Liphook

Difficulty

Most of the 7 stages in this guide could be classified as easy, although the final two through the North and South Downs are classified as moderate. The main difficulty comes from the overall distance at 353km.

Must See

The route passes through King Alfred’s Anglo-Saxon capital of Winchester and Old Sarum, the haunting Neolithic centre of Salisbury. It includes world-famous sites such as Stonehenge, Salisbury Plain and Avebury, home to the world’s largest stone circle. Walkers will also encounter the chalk White Horse of Uffington, the mysterious Wayland’s Smithy, thought to be a portal to the underworld, and the ancient Ridgeway, one of England’s first great highways. The journey continues across the rolling heathland of the South Downs, with dozens of fantastic pubs and cafés along the way.

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