A guidebook to bikepacking King Alfred's Way, a 353km loop in seven stages between 40 and 60km (25-37 miles), with options for wild camping, campsites and accommodation.

Suitable for beginner and experienced MTB and gravel-bike riders, the route was designed by Cycling UK and visits some of the UK's most historic and scenic off-road trails, including the Ridgeway, North Downs Way and South Downs Way.

• Stages graded for difficulty, from easy to moderate
• GPX files available to download
• 1:150,000 maps included for each stage
• Alternative schedules break the route down into between 3 and 7 days
• Handy route summary tables, accommodation listings and wild camping spots help you plan your itinerary 
• Easily accessible by train from London and the north and west of the UK

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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