We’ve employed all our pedal power to seek out the most enjoyable, interesting and entertaining cycle trails and routes across wonderful Wiltshire.
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1. The Wiltshire Cycleway
This long cross-county ride through Wiltshire meanders through scenic towns and villages, past inspiring sights and awesome attractions, linking in to Sustrans National Routes.
Devised by the Wiltshire County Council, the entire route covers 160 miles (255kms), taking several days of sedate cycling.
You don’t have to pedal through it all, however. To make things easier the Wiltshire Cycleway has been cut up into 16 manageable slices, so you can mix and match stretches according to your preference.
Click here to download maps and directions for each of the 16 sections (the longest of which is 12.7 miles).
See a map of full Wiltshire Cycleway, and connecting routes.
2. Avon Valley Explorer
This 28 mile (45km) ride follows the course of the Avon River, starting out from Pewsey Railway Station and finishing in the heart of Salisbury, at the spectacular Cathedral.
En route there’s plenty to see as you cycle from the Vale of the White Horse via optional side trips to see Stonehenge and the Old Sarum Castle. There are glorious gardens, some stunning views and tempting taverns in the riverside towns and villages, so although this ride (rated “moderate” in difficulty) should take around six hours to complete, it may well end up taking you longer!
See full details of the Avon Valley Explorer cycling route.
3. Wylye Valley Explorer
This leisurely 20.5 mile (33km) ride takes you along mostly quiet country lanes and picturesque villages, on largely level terrain.
Start out from the Cathedral city of Salisbury, pedal past the majestic Wilton House and join the back road traversing the beautiful Wylye Valley and surrounding chalk downland. The route ends in the Wiltshire market town of Warminster.
Some of the villages passed through on this route include Stockton, Sherrington, Boyton, Corton, Tytherington and Sutton Veny – all boasting cosy pubs and pretty picnic spots.
Download a pdf guide to the Wylye Valley Explorer route.
4. Salisbury Plain Explorer
If you enjoy a taste of the military, a cycle ride from Warminster, past the Westbury White Horse to the Pewsey Vale, around the perimeter of the Imber and Larkhill military ranges, should be a treat.
This route, covering 33 miles (53kms), is pretty easy-going along level minor urban roads, quiet lanes and byways, starting out from Warminster Station and finishing at Pewsey station.
Best pack a picnic, because this route does not bypass any refreshment points.
Click for full information about the Salisbury Plain Explorer route.
5. Woodford Valley Circular
This short but sweet cycle ride gives a taste of all the best elements of the county of Wiltshire, from natural beauty to ancient archaeology.
Covering just 16 miles (26km), this fairly easy route can be covered in around 3.5 hours of pleasant pedalling through some delightful villages.
The route begins and ends in the parking lot of medieval Old Sarum just outside of the city of Salisbury, leading out on a bridle path onto a route which is mainly level riding, with a few short, gentle climbs.
Find full details of the Woodford Valley Circular.
6. North Rivers Route
The North Wiltshire Rivers Route is part of National Cycle Route 4, and is a cycleway shared with a footpath which links Melksham to Lacock, Chippenham, Calne, Cherhill and Avebury along mostly traffic free paths.
Passing beautiful natural landscapes, monuments, historic and archaeological sites, the Rivers Route is an easy 25 miles (40kms) long, ending in Avebury with its ancient stones.
Click here for all the information about the North Wiltshire Rivers Route.
7. Bath to Devizes Canal Ride
The towpath beside the historic Kennet and Avon Canal makes for an ideal cycleway. The 20 mile (32 kms) long section between the Georgian spa town of Bath in north Somerset and the wondrous flight of 16 locks at Caen Hill near Devizes in Wiltshire is not only incredibly pretty but also extremely interesting.
Access the tow path at Sydney Gardens on the outskirts of the city of Bath, through the picturesque suburb of Bathampton. Then its on beside the canal to the historic town of Bradford on Avon with its medieval bridge, and thence to the Wiltshire county town of Trowbridge. After the Semington locks continue on to Devises and marvel at the Caen lock flight, ending your ride at The Kennet and Avon Canal Museum, and the busy market town of Devizes.
See details of the Bath to Devizes Canal Ride.
** CONNECTING WILTSHIRE has links to many more cycle rides in the county. **
If you would like to add details of any other Cycle Routes in Wiltshire to this list, please email the details to lucille.parker@dentons.net.
