Surrey Cycle Routes
Surrey is another glorious Green Belt county with an abundance of fabulous scenery to enjoy.
The North Downs (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) offers the county's best scenery with its rolling chalk hills and splendid countryside.
There is also some lovely riverside riding along the Thames through Staines and Egham- please see the Windsor to Putney route below for more information.
Use the links to view full route information including elevation profiles, interactive maps and GPS downloads.
You can also view an overview map of all the routes in the using the Surrey Cycle Map>>
There are several National Cycle Networksigned routes in the county many of which have been mapped and can be viewed and downloaded below.
For more information on cycle routes in Surrey including tips, advice and free cycle maps please click here
| Route Name | Photo | Distance | Description |
| Ashtead Common National Nature Reserve | 3.1 miles (5 km) | This 500 acre ancient wooded common is also a National Nature Reserve. There are miles of quiet cycling and walking paths taking you to woodland, scrub grassland, a meadow, ponds and streams. There are also two ancient Scheduled Monuments - a Roman villa and a triangular earthwork. The route below begins and ends at the conveniently located Ashtead Railway Station at the southern end of the common. The adjacent Epsom Common is a great option if you would like to continue your outing. Horton Country Park is nearby while the Thames Down Link also runs past the site. View Full Details>> | |
| Banstead Heath | 3.1 miles (5 km) | This large open space in Banstead has lots of walking trails to follow. There's also bridleways which are suitable for cyclists. Part of the Banstead Commons the heath covers 760 acres with miles of paths popular with dog walkers and cyclists. It's a very pretty area with meadow grasses, wildflowers, woodland and mixed heather. It's great for wildlife too with Linnet, Yellowhammers, Redpoll, Reed Bunting and a variety of butterflies to look out for. The Epsom Downs circular walk skirts the heath so you could pick this up to extend your walk. Also nearby are Banstead Downs and Banstead Woods. View Full Details>> | |
| Basingstoke Canal | 7.1 miles (11.5 km) | This easy cycle ride follows a nice section of the Basingstoke Canal from West Byfleet to Brookwood, via Woking. The route runs for about 7 miles along a flat towpath with a series of parks along the way. At the end of the ride you can catch the train back from Brookwood or return the same way. The route starts on the canal at West Byfleet, close to the train station. You then head west through Sheerwater to Woking, passing Horsell Common on the way. View Full Details>> | |
| Blackheath Common | 2.5 miles (4 km) | This large area of heathland and woodland near Albury is very popular with walkers and cyclists. There's 250 acres to explore on a myriad of footpaths and bridleways. The area consists of lowland heathland, woodland and acid grassland. You can park at the Blackheath car park on Blackheath Lane to start your circular walk across the common. Chilworth railway station is also just to the north of the common. This is another good start point if you are coming by public transport. The paths then take you across the common and through Blackheath Forest. There's some nice sandy paths and lots of pretty heather to look out for in the late summer. View Full Details>> | |
| Boxhill Country Park | 18.6 miles (30 km) | This quiet circular route starts at Dorking Rail station and takes you on a tour of Ranmore Common and Boxhill Country Park. This ride is easily accesible from London and is ideal for a pleasant afternoons cycling in the peace of some lovely woodland and countryside. The views are lovely but bear in mind there are a few climbs on this ride. On the way you'll pass through the expansive Ranmore Common where there are miles of good woodland cycling trails, with great views of the Surrey Hills. View Full Details>> | |
| Chobham Common | 3.4 miles (5.5 km) | Enjoy a circular walk or cycle around this large common in Surrey. The common covers hundreds of acres and has a series of good footpaths over grassland, lowland heath and woodland. The area is also crisscrossed with wide bridleways which are ideal for an off road cycle. Chobham Common is the largest National Nature Reserve in the south east of England. As such there is a diverse range of flora and fauna. Look out for over 100 species of bird including the rare dartford warbler, the hobby and the nightjar. In the wetland areas look out for frogs, newts, adders, grass snakes, lizards, slow worms, foxes and possibly deer. Plants and flowers include purple heather, gorse and orchids. It's a really attractive area with lots of nice stony footpaths to follow. You could easily spend a few hours strolling around looking out for wildlife. This circular walk starts at the car park on Staple Hill and follows various footpaths past Albury Bottom to Gracious Pond. You then follow woodland paths and bridleways back to the car park. If you would like to continue your walk then you could head a few miles north to the lovely Virginia Water Lake. View Full Details>> | |
| Croydon to Redhill | 21.7 miles (35 km) | Follow National Cycle Route 21 from Croydon to Redhill passing through the attractive (but hilly!) North Downs. The ride heads through New Addington, Warlingham and Caterham passing through some lovely countryside. There are several off road sections to enjoy on this ride with pleasant stretches through Holt Wood near Warlingham and Mercers Country Park near Redhill. View Full Details>> | |
| Devil's Punch Bowl | 5 miles (8 km) | This circular walk in the Surrey Hills AONB takes you through Hindhead Common, up Gibbet Hill and to the Devil's Punch Bowl - a large natural amphitheatre and beauty spot. The area is National Trust owned so there is a car park, cafe, information boards and a series of well marked footpaths. You start at the car park and head through the Devil's Punch Bowl which has become a natural nature reserve, filled with heathland, streams and woodland. You then climb Gibbet Hill, the second highest hill in Surrey at 272 metres (892 ft). From here there are magnificent views over the punchbowl, Thursley, Hankley Common, Crooksbury Hill, the South Downs, Godalming and Guildford. The hills of Haslemere and Black Down can also be seen, while on a clear day the iconic buildings of London are also visible. View Full Details>> | |
| Dorking to Epsom | 10.6 miles (17 km) | Follow National Cycle Route 22 on this short route through Surrey. The route starts near Dorking train station and heads through Boxhill country park on off road paths and country lanes with views of the River Mole as you go. A pleasant stretch through Epsom Downs and around the famous Epsom racecourse then follows before finishing in Epsom near the train station. View Full Details>> | |
| Downs Link | 36 miles (58 km) | This is a terrific walking or cycling path running from St Martha's Hill in Guildford to Shoreham by Sea. View Full Details>> | |
| Epsom Common | 2.5 miles (4 km) | Follow this cycle and walking track around this large open space in Surrey. There are peaceful woodland trails, several ponds, fields with grazing cows and a wide variety of wildlife (the site is also a local nature reserve). If you would like to continue your exercise why not visit the nearby Horton Country Park or follow the Thames Down Link which passes through the common. The adjacent Ashtead Common National Nature Reserve also has miles of cycling and walking paths to enjoy. Just to the south east you will find Epsom Downs. You can follow a footpath across the famous racecourse and enjoy attractive chalk downland, grassland and woodland. View Full Details>> | |
| Esher Common | 3.7 miles (6 km) | Enjoy a cycle or walk around this large open space in Surrey. There are miles of peaceful woodland footpaths and a nice off road cycle track. The route will take you to two large ponds and the nearby Fairmile common. The common is a local nature reserve so look out for a variety of wildlife. View Full Details>> | |
| Farnham to Guidlford | 12.4 miles (20 km) | Follow National Cycle Route 22 through the North Downs on this short but attractive route. The route starts near the train station in Farnham and follows a mixture of quiet roads and off road tracks through the Surrey countryside. You finish by crossing the River Wey in Guildford and then stopping at Guildford castle. Most of the route is on road but there are some pleasant traffic free sections through Puttenham Heath and Sunnydown to enjoy. View Full Details>> | |
| Frensham Ponds | 5.3 miles (8.5 km) | This park is run by the National Trust and contains the lovely Frensham Ponds which attract a variety of rare birds such as the reed bunting, sedge warbler, great crested grebe, nightjars and woodlarks. View Full Details>> | |
| Gomshall and Hurt Wood | 13.7 miles (22 km) | Starting at Gomshall train station follow quiet country roads to Hurt Wood and then proceed onto Abinger Common on this short circular route. View Full Details>> | |
| Guildford to Brighton | 44.7 miles (72 km) | This route takes from Surrey based Guildford to Brighton the south coast. Along the way there's lovely views of the Low Weald, riverside paths and a coastal section at the end of the route. You first follow the Downs Link through the South Downs to Shoreham-by-Sea before picking up the National Cycle Network to take you into Brighton. The ride runs for a distance of about 45 miles with some moderate climbs along the way. The route starts on St Martha's Hill, just to the south east of Guildford town centre. The first section then takes you south to Cranleigh with views of the Wey and Arun Canal. You continue past Rudgwick into the Low Weald countryside, crossing the River Arun as you go. The route then passes Itchingfield and Southwater where you'll head through the lovely Southwater Country Park. From here you proceed to Henfield, crossing the River Adur and passing Partridge Green on the way. View Full Details>> | |
| Guildford to Chertsey | 11.2 miles (18 km) | Follow National Cycle route 223 from Guildford to Chertsey on a mixture of traffic free paths and quiet roads. You start at Guildford train station and head north through Stoke Park to the River Wey where you begin a short riverside section through the Riverside Park Nature Reserve. You continue to Woking on quiet roads, passing Sutton Green Golf club and Westfield common before heading through the town centre and crossing the Basingstoke Canal Walk. The final section then heads to Chertsey, passing through Horsell Common and Ottershaw. You finish at the train station at Chertsey. View Full Details>> | |
| Guildford to Dorking | 17.4 miles (28 km) | Travel through Surrey along National Cycle Route 22 on this cycle ride from Guildford to Dorking. You start in Guildford near the train station and head south along a nice traffic free section which follows the River Wey and the Wey and Arun Canal to just outside Shamley Green. You then join country lanes taking you through Shamley Green and Farley Heath to Farley Green. This section takes you through a pleasant wooded section although some climbing is involved towards Farley Heath. View Full Details>> | |
| Guildford to Horsham | 21.7 miles (35 km) | This route follows the Downs Link Bridlepath from Guildford to Horsham via Cranleigh. The route starts by Guildford rail and first follows the Wey Path along the River Wey before joining the Downs Link trail. This takes you through the North Downs along a disused railway line track bed before a short on road section takes you into Horsham, finishing at the train station. View Full Details>> | |
| Headley Heath | 3.1 miles (5 km) | Enjoy cycling and walking trails in this large area of open heathland, woodland and chalk downland in the Surrey Hills. View Full Details>> | |
| Horton Country Park | 3.4 miles (5.5 km) | This country park and nature reserve is located near Epsom in Surrey. Here you will find a rural landscape of fields, hedgerows, woods and ponds of great wildlife and historical value. There are 400 acres of attractive parkland to explore on a series of well laid out trails. The park is open to cycles with lovely flat paths like the one in the video below to enjoy. If you would like to continue your exercise you could head to the nearby Epsom Common or Ashtead Common National Nature Reserve which have more cycling and walking paths. The Three Downs Link and the London Loop trails also run past the park. View Full Details>> | |
| London to Box Hill | 20.2 miles (32.5 km) | Follow National Cycle Network routes from London to the lovely Box Hill Country Park in Surrey. The route starts on the Thames at Wandsworth and travels through outer London and the North Downs to the park. It runs for a distance of just over 20 miles with some traffic free sections and nice countryside views to enjoy on the way. The ride starts at Wandsworth by the river and near to the train station. You then head south, passing Merton and Earlsfield before a nice section along the Wandle Trail. You continue through Carshalton and Wallington before coming to Little Woodcote. You then head south west through Banstead, passing Epsom Downs and Headley Heath before finishing at Box Hill. View Full Details>> | |
| London to Brighton | 64.6 miles (104 km) | Travel from the banks of the River Thames in Greenwich to the South Coast on this popular route along National Cycle Network Routes 21 and 20. The route runs for a distance of about 65 miles, using a mixture of minor roads and traffic free paths. The ride starts by the Cutty Sark on the Thames in Greenwich and heads south along the Ravensbourne River and Pool River to New Beckenham. From there you continue south to Elmers End where you will pass through the lovely South Norwood Country Park. The park includes a pretty lake with lots of wildlife to look out for. The route then continues through the pretty Addington golf course and on to Addington Hill along the London Loop. The ride then heads through New Addington, Warlingham and Caterham to Redhill. There are several off road sections to enjoy on this section with pleasant stretches through Holt Wood near Warlingham and Mercers Country Park near Redhill. The park incldues a nice lake which is great for birdwatching. From Redhill you continue to Crawley, passing Horley before an interesting traffic free section through Gatwick Airport takes you to Crawley. The final section runs from Crawley to Brighton first passing through Tilgate Forest in Tilgate Country Park. View Full Details>> | |
| London to Newhaven | 99.4 miles (160 km) | Follow a series of signed National Cycle Network paths from London to Newhaven on this long ride to the coast. Newhaven is the town where you can catch the ferry to Dieppe in France and pick up a number of cycle trails to explore the country. The route starts in the centre of London and heads south through the outskirts of the city, passing Clapham, Merton, Wallington and Coulsdon. You then enter the North Downs, passing Redhill, Gatwick Airport, Horley and Crawley. Here you turn east to East Grinstead following a dismantled railway line along the Worth Way. At East Grinstead you pick up another nice traffic free section along the Forest Way to Groombridge. Shortly after you turn south to Rotherfield, Mayfield, Heathfield and Hailsham with part of the ride running along the lovely Cuckoo Trail. The final English section takes you through the South Downs, passing Alfriston before coming to the ferry at Newhaven. View Full Details>> | |
| London to Paris | 314.4 miles (506 km) | This ride takes you along the proposed route for the Avenue Verte - a traffic-free cycle path, safe enough for a child, linking London and the French capital. The ride includes some climbs - the toughest being the North Downs for people cycling the route from south to north. Most of the route is rolling countryside, apart from Redhill to Crawley (via Gatwick airport!) in the UK, and the capital cities themselves. There are some pleasant waterside stretches to enjoy too, notably a run along the Wandle Trail in London and then a lovely spell along the wooded banks of the Seine in France. The route starts in central London and heads to Newhaven on the south coast. From here you can catch the ferry to Dieppe in France and proceed to Paris. The English part of the route heads south through London passing Clapham, Merton, Wallington and Coulsdon. You then enter the North Downs, passing Redhill, Horley and Crawley with a section along the Worth Way. Here you turn east to East Grinstead, picking up a nice traffic free section to Groombridge. Shortly after you turn south to Rotherfield, Mayfield, Heathfield and Hailsham. The final English section takes you through the South Downs, passing Alfriston before coming to the ferry at Newhaven. On the other side you head south east through the beautiful French countryside to the capital in Paris. View Full Details>> | |
| National Cycle Route 21 | 94.4 miles (152 km) | This is the complete Sustrans National Cycle Route 21 running from Greenwich in London to Eastbourne on the south coast. View Full Details>> | |
| National Cycle Route 22 | 100 miles (161 km) | This Sustrans cycle route takes you from the outskirts of South London to Newport on the Isle of Wight. View Full Details>> | |
| Nonsuch Park | 3.4 miles (5.5 km) | This large park between Cheam and Ewell Village is ideal for a peaceful afternoon stroll or safe family cycle. There are wide lawns, pretty gardens, woodland and Nonsuch Mansion where you can enjoy refreshments and learn about the history of the park and Palace. The park is the site of Nonsuch Palace, a Tudor royal palace, built by Henry VIII in the 16th century. It stood from 1538 to 1682–3 and was one of his grandest building projects. The London Loop runs through the park so you could pick up this trail if you wanted to continue your walk. If you follow it south for just over a mile, you will come to Banstead Downs. The downs are well worth a visit with open grass chalkland, wildflowers and nice views towards London from the high points. View Full Details>> | |
| Peaslake MTB | 13.7 miles (22 km) | This circular MTB route takes you around some fantastic mountain bike trails around the village of Peaslake in the Surrey Hills. The route includes lots of woodland sections and climbs to some of the significant hills in the area. The ride starts from Peaslake where you can pick up the trails heading south east towards Holmbury Hill where there are fine views over the area. The route then descends to the village of Holmbury St Mary before heading south east along the Greensand Way to the viewpoint at Leith Hill. You then head north past Coldharbour Common to Wotton before turning south to Broadmoor. The route then crosses Abinger Common to return to Holmbury where you retrace your steps to Peaslake. View Full Details>> | |
| Putney to Coulsdon | 15.5 miles (25 km) | Follow National Cycle Route 20 through south London on this easy ride. The route starts in Wandsworth Park and heads along the Thames to Wandsworth. You'll then head south through Southfields and Earlsfield where you'll join the River Wandle. Here you join the cycle friendly Wandle Trail (mostly off road) through South Wimbledon, Morden and Carshalton. Highlights on the trail include Merton Abbey Mills and the lovely Morden Hall Park and Poulter Park. The final on road section from Wallington takes you through the Oaks Park and Mayfield Lavender farm to the finish point at Coulsden rail station. View Full Details>> | |
| Reading to Maidenhead | 16.8 miles (27 km) | This ride takes you along National Cycle Route 4 from Berkshire into Surrey. The route starts on Caversham bridge in Reading taking you along the Thames path for a short stretch before continuing to Wargrave on minor roads and paths. A short wooded section at Knowl Hill then follows before an on road section takes you into Maidenhead, finishing at the train station. View Full Details>> | |
| Redhill to Tunbridge Wells | 36 miles (58 km) | Starting in Redhill first travel south through Gatwick airport (easier and more pleasant than it sounds!) and then onto the off road Worth Way, Forest Way and Sussex Border Path that will take you through East Grinstead and some lovely countryside before finishing in Royal Tunbridge Wells. The ride follows National Cycle Route 21 and has a number of traffic free sections making it an attractive, leisurely ride. View Full Details>> | |
| River Wey Navigation | 19.9 miles (32 km) | Follow the River Wey Navigation towpath from Godalming to the River Thames at Weybridge on this super waterside walk. The whole of the route is suitable for walkers while cyclists can enjoy a nice waterside section in Guildford. You start off in Godalming and pass Guildford, Sutton Park, Pyrford and Byfleet before finishing in Weybridge where you can pick up the Thames Path. There's lots of scenic Surrey countryside to see and a series of pretty locks and bridges on the way. View Full Details>> | |
| Riverside Park Nature Reserve | 1.9 miles (3 km) | This lovely nature reserve in Guildford has nice boardwalks and footpaths to follow through the site. The reserve is located next to the River Wey and has a man made lake, a woodland area and lots of wildlife to look out for. There's lots of interesting flora with wildflowers including ox-eye daisies, bluebells and the white flowered meadow sweet, yellow flag iris and bright rose-pink flowers of the willow herb. Water loving birds such as Great crested grebe, water-rails, herons and reed buntings can also be seen in the wetlands area. Keep and eye out for roe deer and rabbits in the woods. National Cycle Network route 223 runs through the reserve so you can bring your bike too. The route runs from Guildford town centre right to the reserve so it's easy to visit by bike. View Full Details>> | |
| Winchester to Farnham | 32.9 miles (53 km) | Travel from Hampshire to Surrey on a series of country roads and off road tracks on this fairly challenging route. The route starts by Winchester bus station and follows the Rivers Itchen and Alre to New Alresford. On this section you will pass the striking Avington Park and Arlebury Park country houses. The route then continues to the town of Alton before a pleasant off road stretch through Alice Holt Forest. View Full Details>> | |
| Windsor Great Park | 7.6 miles (12.2 km) | A circular cycle or walk around the beautiful Windsor Great Park in Surrey. The park includes 5,000 acres of parkland, which includes a Deer Park, lakes, avenues, gardens, woodland and open grassland. National Cycle Network route 4 runs right through the park while the Three Castles Walk runs along the Long Walk Avenue where there are fabulous views of Windsor Castle. Cyclists please note that cycles are not permitted on the Long Walk. If you'd like to continue your exercise you could head to Virginia Water Lake. This large man made lake is located in the southern end of the park. It has a delightful walking trail running around its perimeter. Also of interest are the beautiful Valley Gardens. Located next to the lake they consist of 250 acres of landscaped gardens and woodlands and a series of well defined walking trails. You can also enjoy a walk along the Thames Path from Windsor to Dorney Lake. The lake has a nice surfaced cycling and walking trail to try. The Jubilee River also runs past Dorney. The river has a great waterside cycling and walking trail running from Maidenhead to Eton. Also of interest is our Windsor Circular Walk which will take you to Eton Wick and the famous Eton College. View Full Details>> | |
| Windsor to Putney | 34.2 miles (55 km) | This fabulous cycle ride follows National Cycle Route 4 from Windsor to Putney along the River Thames. View Full Details>> | |
| Winterfold Forest | 3.7 miles (6 km) | This lovely area of the Surrey Hills is a popular place for walkers and cyclists. Winterfold Wood and the adjacent Hurt Wood have many miles of footpaths and bridleways which are suitable for mountain bikers. View Full Details>> | |
| Woking to West Byfleet | 8.7 miles (14 km) | This easy cycle or walk follows the Basingstoke Canal Walk and National Cycle route 221 from Brookwood, near Woking, to West Byfleet. View Full Details>> |
