Five of the best cycling routes to try out in the New Forest

A range of cycle routes are on offer to residents and visitors to the area, of all cycling skill levels.

From short one hour bursts to almost day-long rides, there is something for every type of rider.

This is why the Echo has put together a list of five of our favourite cycle routes in the New Forest.

Lepe Beach. Photo by Kev Shipp.

The Royal Oak Loop from Hythe Town

Measuring 18.6 miles long and taking around 1 hour 45 minutes to complete, this route is an easy ride and goof for any fitness level.

Taking place on mostly paved surfaces, the route rises and falls by 400ft with a start point that is accessible with public transport.

Starting in the centre of Hythe, the route heads out of the town towards Holbury, Fawley and Calshot before heading to Lepe Beach.

After riding along the coastline, taking in the views of the Solent and the Isle of Wight, riders should then head back North towards The Royal Oak pub, before heading back into Hythe,

More information and a map of the route can be found here.

Keyhaven Marshes. Photo from: Visit Hampshire.

Lymington Loop from Sway

Classed as an intermediate bike ride, this 21.5 mile route is for slightly more experienced riders and will take around 2 hours 25 minutes to complete.

Rising and falling 500ft, the path is made up of mostly paved surfaces and a 'good' fitness level is advised for those taking on the ride.

Starting in Sway, the route then heads East to the Roydon Woods Nature Reserve, down into Lymington before heading further down to Keyhaven Marsh.

Once at Milford on Sea, the route then heads back North and back to the start point via the South Sway Bridleway.

More information and a map of the route can be found here.

Tall Trees Trail and Blackwater Arboretum, New Forest.

Ober Water Ford Loop from Brockenhurst

A route for the more experience riders, this ride is estimated to take just over 3 hours to complete and measures 23.3 miles long.

Rising and falling 875ft, the starting point of the rour is accessible with public transport and some areas may require pushing your bike rather than riding it.

Starting near the Commonwealth War Graves in Brockenhurst, the route then heads South along Church Lane towards Wootton Bridge.

Stretching all the way round to Burley Road, the route then heads North, through Burley all the way round to Tall Trees Trail, before looping back round via Hurst Hill back into Brockenhurst.

More information and a map of the route can be found here.

Lymington Quay. Photo by: Steve Elson.

Moses Dock Loop from Milford on Sea

Great for any fitness level and measuring 14.2 miles long, this route rises and drops by 100ft and is on mostly paved surfaces.

Starting right next to a car park on Hurst Road, Mildford on Sea, the route heads East to Keyhaven Marshes and stretches all the way around the North of the marshes and into Lymington.

At Lymington Quay the route then heads South again, this time running along the South of the marshes along the coastline and back to the start point in Milford on Sea.

There are several places along the route to take a break and get food or a drink and the ride is classed as 'easy'.

More information and a map of the route can be found here.

Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve.

Tall trees Loop from Fritham

One of the longer routes in the area, this ride stretches 49.2 miles and is estimated to take around 5 hours to complete in total.

Classed as an 'expert' ride, a very good fitness level is said to be required to take this one on with the route rising and falling 1,825ft throughout the journey.

Starting at the Longcross car park, the route heads north to Redlynch before heading down to Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve.

Continuing South and into Ringwood riders should then head to Burley before heading North again just before reaching Roydon Woods nature Reserve and then heading back to the start point via Brock Hill, Bolderwood Farm and Janesmoor Plain.

More information and a map of the route can be found here.