Old Winchester Hill & Forest of Bere loop from Wickham — South Downs National Park
Old Winchester Hill & Forest of Bere loop from Wickham — South Downs National Park
4.3
(20)
71
riders
Old Winchester Hill & Forest of Bere loop from Wickham — South Downs National Park
03:26
45.0km
470m
Mountain biking
This moderate mountain bike loop from Wickham takes you through the diverse landscapes of the South Downs National Park, covering 28.0 miles (45.0 km) with 1549 feet (472 metres) of elevation gain. You will ride through rolling hills, chalk downlands, and woodlands, experiencing a mix of unpaved tracks, gravel, and…
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Tips
Includes a very steep uphill segment
You may need to push your bike.
After 14.3 km for 333 m
Waypoints
Start point
Parking
Get Directions
3.40 km
Meon Valley Trail – West Walk Entrance
Highlight • Cycleway
Tip by
14.9 km
Old Winchester Hill
Highlight • Climb
Tip by
41.1 km
Forest of Bere
Highlight • Forest
Tip by
45.0 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
23.8 km
10.0 km
7.77 km
3.00 km
425 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
17.9 km
10.8 km
6.83 km
5.11 km
4.09 km
242 m
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Elevation
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Weather
Powered by Foreca
Wednesday 6 May
15°C
3°C
12 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 12.0 km/h
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This route was planned by komoot.
Nearby routes
Trail Reviews
The woodland sections aren't perfect and need some navigation
The first time I encountered Old Winchester Hill was pushing a laden bike up it in the wind & rain when bikepacking the SDW 😟 Needless to say coming down it in the sunshine is much more fun... This is definitely a dry route only, descending Salt Hill in the wet would be lethal! I started at Wickham and as usual got lost in Forest of Bere (even with Komoot) so stuck to the main tracks. I headed to Denmead through the woods then picked up the bridleway that runs to Clanfield and on to the South Downs. These tracks are fun riding in the dry. There are some great views from Salt Hill and an even better descent 😀 I resisted the cafe at Meon Springs because of the tough climb up to Old Winchester Hill that follows. After a lunch stop admiring the views from the Hill Fort in the sun, I managed to get a fairly free run downhill without too many walkers 👍 From there I picked up the Meon Valley Trail and spun my way back to Wickham.
Really muddy at times Jan 23 , but a nice loop from Waterlooville
Route I copied from @Luke but started from Wickham.
I really tried to make a loop here that uses the minimum possible amount of tarmac road. Turned out pretty good, I think. Once through the first third you really do notice you're off road a lot. Hopefully this comes across in the photos. Nice mix of single track, byways and paths, with rewarding views at Old Winchester Hill.