Cerne Abbas Giant – Abbey House, Cerne Abbey loop from Cerne Abbas

Mountain biking trails

Cerne Abbas Giant – Abbey House, Cerne Abbey loop from Cerne Abbas

Moderate

riders

Cerne Abbas Giant – Abbey House, Cerne Abbey loop from Cerne Abbas

01:43

20.2km

340m

Mountain biking

Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: July 30, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 19.2 km for 80 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

147 m

Cerne Abbas Giant

Highlight • Monument

Ride down Acreman Street for a marvellous view of the Cerne Abbas Giant.

Measuring at 55 metres (180 ft) high, the origin of the figure of a man wielding a club on Trendle Hill is unknown.

The chalk figure is often thought to be ancient, yet there is no evidence for its existence prior to drawings found from the early 1700s.

It is made from a series of narrow, small trenches filled with chalk rubble, and is maintained by the National Trust.

Tip by

6.29 km

View North to Somerset

Highlight • Viewpoint

Lovely stretch of road here but going up quite steeply.

Tip by

19.1 km

St Augustine’s Well

Highlight • Historical Site

At Augustine’s Well’s crystal clear waters can be found to the right of the Abbey burial grounds. In the 11th century, the monks of Cerne decided that they needed a more impressive tale of their origins, so they hired a hagiographer named Gotselin to create a history of the abbey.

Gotselin did his best, and came up with a story that St Augustine was travelling through Dorset when he came upon some shepherds. He asked them if they preferred to drink water or beer. The shepherds answered 'water', so he struck the ground with his staff and a spring burst forth. Another version of the story is that he had a vision in which he made the spring burst forth and cried 'Cerno El', or 'I see God', a pun on the ancient name of Cerne, which was Cernel.

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19.3 km

Abbot's Porch, Cerne Abbey

Highlight • Historical Site

'Abbot's Porch' is an architectural feature of historical significance and was the original gateway to Cerne Abbey.
Throughout its history, Cerne Abbey played a vital role in the local community and the region as a whole. It served not only as a religious centre but also as a place of education, charity, and culture.
An honesty box, located at the entrance, asks for £2.50 donation to help towards the upkeep of the site.

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19.3 km

Abbey House, Cerne Abbey

Highlight • Religious Site

Abbey House is what is left of the Abbey at Cerne. The original benedictine abbey was founded in 987. Most of the abbey bulidings were later demolished during the dissolution of the monasteries in the late 1530's.

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19.4 km

St Mary's Church, Cerne Abbas

Highlight • Historical Site

St Mary’s is a striking Grade I-listed church in the heart of Cerne Abbas. The church was built in the 14th century, extended in the 15th century, and the tower was added in the 16th century. Inside the chancel, you can observe 14th-century wall-paintings that show four scenes from the life of St John Baptist.

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19.6 km

Cerne Abbas Village Restaurants

Highlight • Restaurant

Lunch stop - there are two pubs or do what I did and get a freshly baked Cornish Pastie, banana and cup of tea and a fiver from the village shop.

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19.6 km

Abbots Bed & Breakfast and Tearoom

Highlight • Restaurant

A great stop for cream tea on any ride. Their local clotted cream allocation is another level!

You won't find much bike parking space but you can prop them against the window so you can see them while you enjoy a cuppa and something to eat.

There's also B&B rooms if you fancy an overnighter. More at abbotsbedandbreakfast.co.uk/the-tearoom

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