Rempstone Short Loop
This flat 5 mile off-road ride takes you past Wytch Farm and through Rempstone Forest along smooth gravel tracks.
Cycling and Cycle Routes in the Isle of Purbeck
From flat forest tracks beside Poole Harbour to lung-busting climbs over the chalk ridge, the Isle of Purbeck packs an extraordinary range of riding into a small peninsula. With a mixture of road rides and off-road routes, there is something for everyone with views that stretch to the Isle of Wight, all within easy reach of Swanage.
Cycling in Purbeck
A cyclist's peninsula
The Isle of Purbeck is a remarkably varied place to ride with rolling hills, quiet country lanes, charming stone villages, heathland, forest, and some of the finest coastal views in southern England, all squeezed into a compact corner of the Dorset coast.
The riding here suits every kind of cyclist. Families and casual riders can follow gentle, mostly flat tracks through Rempstone Forest or out to the Agglestone; mountain bikers will find fast, technical single-track and steep off-road climbs across the Purbeck Hills; and road cyclists can link the villages on quiet lanes that range from a relaxed 13-mile loop to a full 50-mile circuit of the peninsula. Every route below includes a detailed map, a description, and points of interest along the way.
For navigation, the single most useful thing you can buy is the OS Explorer OL15 map (Purbeck & South Dorset) map, available from most good outdoor shops. The routes are also offered as downloadable GPX files for handheld GPS devices and cycling computers, and each can be printed to carry on your ride.
Off-Road - 17 Routes
Forest tracks & technical single-track
Purbeck's off-road riding is its real glory. The flat, smooth tracks of Rempstone Forest between Studland and Corfe Castle are perfect for families and easy days, while the heathland around the Agglestone offers a slightly wilder feel. For more committed riders, the Purbeck Hills deliver long off-road climbs rewarded by fast, flowing descents, and the Norden and Kimmeridge areas hide some genuinely technical single-track.
Routes range from a gentle 5.5-mile Rempstone loop up to a varied 24-mile epic taking in climbs, descents, heathland trails, and single-track. Several can be muddy in winter, so check conditions and choose accordingly.
Off Road Routes
Agglestone Rock Ride
This 8.6-mile cycling route starts in Swanage and takes you across the wide open landscapes of Studland Heath
Norden Singletrack
This varied cycling route begins at the historic village of Corfe Castle and quickly climbs onto the Purbeck Hills, where riders are rewarded with sweeping views across the surrounding countryside
Old Harry Ride
This 9-mile ride follows a spectacular route along the Purbeck Hills to Old Harry Rocks, offering some of the finest views in Dorset
Rempstone Long
Starting on the Studland Ferry Road, this is a short off-road ride takes you around Rempstone Forest.
Nine Barrow Down and Rempstone Forest
This scenic hilly ride begins in Swanage and climbs steadily onto the ridge of the Purbeck Hills, rewarding you with far-reaching views across the coast and countryside
Encombe, Creech, Corfe Loop
This is a challenging off-road cycling loop that begins at the historic village of Corfe Castle and takes riders deep into the rugged landscape of the Encombe Estate
Purbeck Hills
A challenging ride around the Isle of Purbeck with stunning views aross Poole harbour and the historic nine barrow down
Chapmans Pool
This 14-mile cycling route runs along the ridge of the Purbeck Hills, offering superb views across the coast and countryside before dropping down towards the historic village of Corfe Castle
Rempstone Purbeck Hills
A hilly offroad ride around the Isle of Purbeck starting at Swanage heading across Rempstone Forest before climbing to the Purbeck hills and heading east towards Ulwell and Swanage
Southern Purbeck Hills
Starting in Swanage, this offroad cycling route takes you up the Priests Way bridleway to Worth Matravers.
Old Harry and Nine Barrow Down
Starting in Swanage, this route offers a challenging and scenic ride through some of the best landscapes and views in Purbeck.
Hills and Heathland
This 15.5-mile cycling route begins in Swanage and follows the ridge of the Purbeck Hills, giving riders some of the most spectacular views in Dorset
Purbeck Hills and Woodland Ride
This off-road route starts in Swanage and loops through the Purbeck Hills, passing Old Harry Rocks before heading into a short but engaging single-track woodland section near Harmans Cross.
Rempstone Forest to Corfe Castle
Starting in Swanage, this 19 mile ride takes you across Studland Heath and Rempstone Forest with beautiful views across Poole Harbour before heading to Hartland Moor to Corfe Castle
Kimmeridge Ride
This challenging and rewarding loop starts in Swanage before heading west towards the hills above Kimmeridge and along the ridge of the Purbeck Hills
Purbeck 24 Off Road Ride
Explore the hills and heathland in the Isle of Purbeck with everything from woodland singletrack to open forest tracks to explore.
On-Road - 5 Routes
Quiet lanes & the full circuit
Purbeck's road riding makes the most of the peninsula's quiet country lanes, threading together the stone villages and skirting the busier through-roads wherever possible. A gentle 13-mile loop links Langton Matravers, Kingston, and Corfe Castle; a figure-of-eight 20-mile loop which hugs the sides of the Purbeck Hills; and for serious distance, the Purbeck 50 makes a near-complete circuit of the area on country roads.
Several road routes cross the Lulworth army ranges, which gives access to some of the most spectacular and unspoilt scenery in the area, but always check the published firing times before setting out, as the range roads close when firing is in progress.
On Road Routes
Purbeck Road Ride
A road ride around the Isle of Purbeck from Swanage via Langton Matravers, Kingston, Corfe Castle and back via the B3351 between Corfe Castle and Studland.
Corfe and Arne Road Ride
This scenic cycling route takes you on a circuit around the Isle of Purbeck, beginning at the historic village of Corfe Castle
Purbeck Road Ride Long
A road ride around the Isle of Purbeck from Swanage over the army ranges and returning via Wool, Wareham and Corfe Castle
Purbeck 50 Road Ride
This 50-mile road ride offers a full circuit of the Isle of Purbeck, starting and finishing in Swanage.
Bike hire & Shops
Whether you need to hire a bike for the day or want a shop within reach for servicing and spares, here are the local options.
Purbeck Cycle Hire
A wide selection of hire bikes at Purbeck Park near Corfe Castle, around 5 miles from Swanage, handy for the Rempstone and Norden routes.
Cyclexperience, Purbeck Park, Corfe Castle, BH20 5DW
Tel: 01929 481606
cyclex.co.uk/hire-dorset
Swanage Cycling Club
A friendly, sociable club for all abilities, organising both road and off-road rides. Set up by local cyclists as a place for anyone interested in cycling to get together and ride; members of British Cycling and Cycling UK (CTC). Visitors welcome.
Trek Bicycle Poole
Sales, servicing, and spares at Lifeboat Quay, Poole.
Unit B1, Lifeboat Quay, Poole, BH15 1AE
Tel: 01202 122088
Tue–Sat 9:30am–6pm; Sun & Mon closed
trekstore.co.uk/poole-store
Giant Poole
Bike sales, servicing, and accessories in central Poole.
14–15 Falkland Square, Poole, BH15 1ER
Tel: 01202 680123
Mon–Sat 9am–5:30pm; Sun closed
giant-poole.co.uk
Rockets & Rascals, Poole
Independent bike shop on Sandbanks Road, with sales and servicing.
278–282 Sandbanks Road, Poole, BH14 8HU
Tel: 01202 708842
Mon–Fri 9am–5:30pm, Sat 9am–4pm
rocketsandrascalspoole.com
Mud Sweat n Gears
A wide range of bike sales, servicing, spares, clothing, and accessories in Weymouth, around 25 miles from Swanage.
Unit C4, Link Park, Chickerell Link Road, Weymouth, DT3 4FL
Tel: 01305 784849
Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:30pm, Sat 9am–4pm
mudsweatngears.co.uk
Plan your ride
Quick Facts
Rider tips
- Check the MOD Lulworth Ranges firing times before any route that crosses the army ranges, the roads and tracks close when firing is in progress.
- Many off-road routes, especially around Rempstone Forest and the heaths, get muddy in winter. Choose firmer trails or fit appropriate tyres.
- Carry the OS Explorer OL15 map (and/or a GPX file), phone signal can be patchy on the ridge and in the forest.
- The villages make natural refreshment stops: the Scott Arms at Kingston, the Square & Compass at Worth Matravers, and cafés in Corfe Castle and Studland.
- Respect the Countryside Code, give way to walkers and horse riders on shared bridleways, and keep to marked tracks across farmland and heath.
- For families, start with the flat Rempstone routes before tackling anything that climbs the ridge.