Mountain Biking on the North Downs

Ride the North Downs and discover some of south east England's finest mountain biking terrain, where woodland singletrack in the Surrey Hills, challenging escarpment climbs, and exhilarating descents on chalk and earth trails make this one of the most rewarding and accessible MTB destinations within reach of London.

Suitable for mountain bikers with some experience and a reasonable level of fitness, this comprehensive Cicerone guidebook describes 20 graded circular routes across the North Downs from Farnham in the west to Dover in the east, plus a 59km route along the Downs Link connecting the North Downs Way with the South Downs Way at Shoreham-by-Sea. Routes range from 18.5 to 59km and are up to 90% off-road, graded blue, red, and black for difficulty.

Choose from 20 graded circular MTB routes spanning the full length of the North Downs, from routes around Guildford, Dorking, Reigate, and Redhill in the Surrey Hills to routes around Maidstone, Ashford, Canterbury, Elham, and Temple Ewell in Kent, with every route graded for difficulty and illustrated with OS map extracts and height profiles.
Tackle the 59km Downs Link route connecting the North Downs Way with the South Downs Way at Shoreham-by-Sea, offering an outstanding point-to-point challenge on one of southern England's great multi-use trails.
Discover the highlights of North Downs mountain biking, including the exceptional woodland singletrack of the Surrey Hills around Peaslake and Holmbury Hill, the challenging Surrey Hills Grand Traverse, the dramatic southern escarpment above Box Hill and Leith Hill, and the chalk and earth trails of the Kent Downs.
Navigate every route with confidence using OS 1:50,000 map extracts and height profiles included for each route, with guidance on the recommended OS Explorer 1:25,000 and Landranger 1:50,000 sheets covering the full length of the North Downs.
Select routes suited to your ability using clear blue, red, and black grading, with difficult and technical sections clearly indicated throughout, and practical advice on recommended gear, including full suspension bikes, body armour, and full face helmets for more demanding descents.
Plan your rides with practical information on getting there and around, accommodation, local bike shops, and the best times to ride, with the North Downs rideable year-round though trails can be extremely muddy from late autumn to late spring.


Take on the singletrack, climbs, and descents of the North Downs with confidence using this trusted Cicerone guidebook. From the Surrey Hills to the Kent chalk downs, this is the essential companion for mountain biking in south east England.

Seasons

the North Downs are excellent for mountain biking all year round, though from late autumn to late spring some trails can be extremely muddy and claggy; popular trails are much busier during summer, especially at weekends

Centres

Guildford, Peaslake, Abinger, Dorking, Reigate, Redhill, Bearsted, Wrotham, Ightam, Chartham, Chilham, Ashford, Elham, Temple Ewell

Difficulty

routes are intended for mountain bikers with some experience and a reasonable degree of fitness; routes are graded 'moderate', 'hard' and 'very hard' with 'difficult' or 'technical' sections indicated; the profusion of tree roots, jumps and flinty tracks make full-suspension bikes a serious consideration; body armour and full face helmets may be advisable for 'downhilling' enthusiasts

Must See

excellent woodland singletrack in the Surrey Hills; numerous challenging climbs and exhilarating descents on the North Downs' steep southern escarpment; stimulating routes on chalk, sand and earth trails criss-crossing the beautiful rolling, wooded downland of Surrey and Kent; picturesque villages, great country pubs and fine countryside at every turn

Emergencies

Map key

Overview map

Introduction

About the routes in this guide

Centres

Getting there and getting around

When to go

Safety

Equipment

Tools and maintenance

Navigation

Hydration

Food

Rights of way and other users

Waymarking

Maps

Using this guide

Routes around Guildford

Route 1 Puttenham Common loop

Route 2 St Martha's Hill-Abinger loop

Routes around Dorking

Route 3 Hackhurst Downs-Polesden Lacey loop

Route 4 Gomshall-Westhumble loop

Route 5 Leith Hill and Holmbury Hill loop

Route 6 Surrey Hills Grand Traverse

Routes around Reigate and Redhill

Route 7 Oxted and Bletchingley loop

Route 8 Box Hill-Banstead Heath loop

Route 9 Warlingham-Biggin Hill loop

Routes around Maidstone and the Medway Valley

Route 10 Oldbury Hill and Mereworth Woods

Route 11 Meopham-Wrotham loop

Route 12 Bearsted, Detling Hill and Blue Bell Hill

Routes around Ashford

Route 13 Bilsington and Faggs Wood loop

Route 14 Wye Downs loop

Routes around Canterbury

Route 15 Chartham Downs loop

Route 16 Chilham and King's Wood loop

Route 17 Rough Common-Blean Wood loop

Routes around Elham and Temple Ewell

Route 18 Elham Valley loop

Route 19 Alkham-Barham Downs loop

Route 20 Temple Ewell loop

The Downs Link

Appendices

Appendix A: Camping and accommodation

Appendix B: Bike shops/bike hire/bike mechanics

Appendix C: Useful contacts