King Alfred’s Way
A circular off-road adventure through the heart of Wessex.
~220 miles
A full circular route
Winchester
Start and finish
Mixed terrain
Bridleways, byways and quiet lanes
The ride
King Alfred’s Way is a circular route of roughly 220 miles (350 km), created by Cycling UK. It starts and finishes in Winchester, the ancient capital of Alfred the Great’s kingdom of Wessex, and links chalk downland, ancient trackways and quiet lanes across the south of England.
It is designed for gravel and mountain bikes, and mixes bridleways, byways and quiet roads.
What makes it special
- History everywhere: landscapes steeped in Saxon and prehistoric history, including Salisbury Plain and the Ridgeway.
- Off-road riding: a mix of gravel, chalk tracks and byways that keeps you off the main roads.
- Big skies: open chalk downland with long views.
- A true loop: you finish where you started, in Winchester.
Why it’s a favourite
It’s a reminder that an adventure doesn’t need a plane ticket. You ride through some of the oldest landscapes in England on tracks that feel a world away from the traffic, and finish in a city with a thousand years of history.
Thinking of riding it?
Most riders spread it over three to five days. A gravel or mountain bike with wide tyres is best, and it is worth checking the weather, as chalk tracks can be slow after rain.