It is nearly spring and everyone is excited about sunny weather. If you are looking to get fitter or spend more time in the great outdoors, we have got a great solution for you… the best routes for cycling in Southampton! Forget tying yourself to a gym membership (the gyms are packed at the moment anyway), simply hop on your bike and get exploring!
While you could stick to commuting by bike, there is so much more on offer to those opting for pedal power. The unique position of this wonderful city means you are in easy reach of the New Forest, and rivers Test and Itchen which run through picturesque villages. In fact, you can quickly and easily reach the New Forest by the Hythe Ferry directly from the city quay.
There are routes for all abilities and we have picked our favourites to get you started…
We class ‘easy’ cycling routes as:
The New Forest is a great place to pedal if you are cycling with family or looking for easy routes. One of our favourites, conveniently starting and ending at St Denys Train Station, is the Hoxton Bakehouse Loop from St Denys.
Starting at the train station, you will head in a westward direction through the city. Passing Hoxton Bakehouse (stop off and grab a treat now or wait until your return!), you will then cycle over the River Test via the Redbridge Causeway.
After cycling through Totten, you will head south-east along the River Test through Eling and Bury Marshes, a site of special scientific interest. After passing through Marchwood, your route loops round through the stunning New Forest landscape taking you back up towards Rushington, over the causeway and back to where you began.
Rating: Easy
Distance: 20 miles
Time: 1 hr, 52 mins
Average speed: 10.7 mph
Uphill: 475 ft
Downhill: 475 ft
If you want to stay in the city and take in some great views and local sights while you are at it: this is one of the top Southampton cycling routes!
Starting at Swaythling train station, you will journey first west then south into the city via Southampton Common. Continuing down The Avenue, you will reach the Titanic Pub and may well decide it is time to stop for a quick drink.
A loop around Mayflower Park takes in iconic views over the River Test before you head down Town Key to Southampton Water View Point. Take a moment to admire the colossal cruise ships… they are hard to miss!
Back on your bike, you will pedal around Queen’s Park before looping around and heading to Café Thrive. Try and time your visit so you can enjoy lunch, a snack or even just a coffee!
With home in sight, you will now retrace your cycle tracks back up through the city to Swaythling Train Station where it all began.
Rating: Easy
Distance: 12.9 miles
Time: 1 hr, 18 mins
Average speed: 10 mph
Uphill: 400 ft
Downhill: 400 ft
We class ‘intermediate’ cycling routes as:
The title of this route gives everything away: it is a lovely big loop into the New Forest, starting and ending in Southampton. We love the ferry crossing near the beginning of this journey, but make sure you check the boat times before setting off.
Starting near Itchen Bridge, you will head down Town Quay and catch the Hythe Ferry. This 15 minute boat journey is a fantastic way to get your adventure started! From Hythe Pier you will carry on south-east into the beautiful New Forest, keeping an eye out for ponies and other wildlife. There are plenty of beauty spots such as Hatchet Pond, to stop for a swig of water, snack or perhaps a picnic.
Heading north-west, you will skirt the edges of Roydon Woods Nature Reserve before crossing the A337 just north of Brockenhurst.
Approximately midway through your journey now, you will carry on alongside the Lymington River, splash through Ober Water Ford and begin heading north for Lyndhurst.
Whether you decide to stop off in Lyndhurst or not, the A35 will take you north-east, through Ashurst and eventually over the Redbridge Causeway back to Southampton. Through the city, past Mayflower Park and Queen’s Park you will end up back where you started after a great day on the bike!
Rating: Intermediate
Distance: 29.5 miles
Time: 2 hr, 59 mins
Average speed: 9.9 mph
Uphill: 675 ft
Downhill: 675 ft
Route map: https://www.komoot.com/smarttour/e824892960/new-forest-loop-from-southampton
As an alternative to the New Forest, this route heads north for Winchester and is a great option for keen cyclists after something a little different.
Starting at St Denys Train Station, you will cut across Southampton Common and travel north through Basset. Winchester Road takes you in the right direction for its namesake, but you will first travel through Chandler’s Ford.
Out the other side of Chandler’s Ford, you just need a little more pedal power and you will soon be in Winchester itself. Why not hop off the bike and explore the city? There are lots of independent cafes, shops and, of course, the cathedral to enjoy.
You will take in a loop of Winchester before heading back south, retracing your tracks for a little while. Eventually, the route deviates back towards Southampton, with great views of the River Itchen along the way.
Through Riverside Park, over Cobden Bridge and you will find yourself back where you started.
Rating: Intermediate
Distance: 25.6 miles
Time: 2 hr, 34 mins
Average speed: 9.9 mph
Uphill: 1,200 ft
Downhill: 1,200 ft
Route map: https://www.komoot.com/smarttour/8494503
We class ‘expert’ cycling routes as:
There are so many great places to explore by cycling in Southampton. You get a totally different perspective on the iconic city.
This ‘expert’ route begins at St Denys Train Station and heads south along the River Itchen. St Mary’s Stadium makes a nice, early pitstop, especially if you have keen football fans in your group.
Cross the river in an easterly direction, loop round to the south and enjoy a long stretch of cycling alongside the striking river. Before you know it, you will be in beautiful Royal Victoria Country Park, home to the stunning military hospital building. Why not stop around here for a snack or picnic?
Cutting south-east through the park, you will emerge out the other side with the Hamble to Warsash Ferry as your goal. Why not take the opportunity to extend your journey and take a boat trip? Either way, you will enjoy wonderful views of the River Hamble.
Heading north from here, you will begin your return journey to Southampton. This section travels through lovely green spaces before cutting west, retracing your tracks and returning up along the River Itchen once more.
Instead of using the Itchen Bridge, you will carry on farther north and cycle over Northam Bridge to get back into Southampton. Not far from this point is St Denys Train Station where the day began!
Rating: Expert
Distance: 17.2 miles
Time: 1 hr, 43 mins
Average speed: 10 mph
Uphill: 425 ft
Downhill: 425 ft
Route map: https://www.komoot.com/smarttour/5658967
This lovely cycling route takes in plenty of the New Forest as well as glorious Solent views, and is great for blowing away the cobwebs.
Starting at Milbrook Train station, your journey will begin east over the River Test via the Redbridge Causeway. Heading south, you will cross over Bartley Water with a lovely view of the moored boats taking shelter.
Soon you will be surrounded by fields, woodland and all the glorious sights for which the New Forest is so famous.
Your route follows the Beaulieu River, which you will eventually cross before continuing south on the opposite side. Skirting round Mill Pond, you will cross the river again as you head east towards Holbury.
Continuing south through Blackfield, Langley and then back into countryside, you will eventually arrive at Lepe Beach. A stunning spot in Lepe Country Park, this is the perfect place to have a break from the saddle and admire the views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight.
There is a lovely cycle west along the coast before you cut back up north, through Exbury and some lovely woodland. A sharp turn to the west sees you retracing your tracks for a short stretch, back over the Beaulieu River, around Mill Pond and north.
Your route deviates again to take in yet more of the glorious New Forest before heading east to complete a large loop. After this point you will retrace your tracks back across Bartley Water, over the Redbridge Causeway to where you first began.
Rating: Expert
Distance: 37.9 miles
Time: 3 hr, 35 mins
Average speed: 10.6 mph
Uphill: 850 ft
Downhill: 850 ft
As you can see, there are so many opportunities to get out and about and cycling in Southampton. From the city itself to exploring The New Forest or any of the towns and cities nearby, you are spoilt for choice.
We hope you enjoy our selection of favourite routes for all abilities.
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