King of trails King Alfred's Way

John Heard
21 hours ago
5 min read

Now in its 5th year KING ALFRED'S WAY is still one of the all-time multi-day faves. Journey through an ever-changing landscape covering 400km. Enjoy 4 days of epic riding - soak up the ancient Neolithic sites and spectacular scenery en route.

This unforgettable experience will transport you through time and King Alfred The Great’s Anglo-Saxon Kingdom.

Since its creation in the summer of 2020 it has become one of the UK’s must-do bike packing adventures. Based on Cycling UK's route* the truly exceptional adventure will transport you through time and King Alfred The Great’s Anglo-Saxon Kingdom.

King Alfred's Way 2021 @ komoot

Wild Cycles is running one only 4 day tour in 2026 - 25-28 June

more info, itinerary and bookings

Wild Cycles makes it super easy for you to enjoy an epic experience - hassle free!

"Great ride round King Alfred's Way ... Camp set up was excellent. Bell tents, camp beds, roaring fire, afternoon tea, beer, fresh home cooked food and an early night - next morning delicious breakfast before setting off. Support in case of accidents or mechanical problems was there and Wild Cycles Team were very welcoming and friendly. If you want to wild cycle, this is the way to do it ...."

Stv

Starting and finishing in Winchester where the King is buried - the 4-day epic is crammed with ancient historical sites, areas of outstanding natural beauty. Soak up the spectacular vistas in the varied landscapes of Wessex, The South Downs, The Chilterns Hills and Surrey. Travel along England’s oldest road - The Ridgeway. Pass by countless historic sites which include some of Europe’s oldest Neolithic Monuments: Stonehenge, Avebury Stones, Wayland’s Smithy, the prehistoric Uffington Horse and too many Iron Age Hill forts to mention.

Soak up the scenes on a journey through time on the fully-supported and provisioned Wild King Alfred's Way Adventure. Wild Cycles will take care of the hassle and treat you to an unforgettable adventure including 3 nights in our hand-picked and fully-equipped campsites with showers, loos and washing facilities.

Suitable for MTB's or gravel bikes - ride your own or hire one of ours.

25-28 june 2026

info, itinerary and bookings

a 4-day epic

Day 1 - From Winchester to All Cannings; c. 100km

Meet & greet at Winchester Station car park where we’ll relieve you of the gear you won’t be carrying on the ride. Pass through the ancient city's West Gate as you enter the King’s domain and kick-start an unforgettable experience.

Hit the Roman road before the rural roads and ancient tracks used by the King’s subjects 1,000s of years ago.

Swing by the 2,500-year-old ramparts of Old Sarum, one of the most important historic sites in southern England. Detour into Salisbury and check out the cathedral famous for UK’s tallest spire and the original 1215 Magna Carta.

Pick up the River Avon towards Ogbury and the large prehistoric hilltop enclosure above Great Durnford.

Next up - the world’s richest prehistoric landscape - Stonehenge. Soak up ancient vibes by the ring of stacked sarsen stones date back to c. 2500 BC.

Push north along tracks and over the cursus monument as you skirt around Salisbury Plain pass by the Neolithic White Barrow and Bronze Age linear earthworks just south of Tilshead.

Climb up to White Horse Trail to join the Wessex Ridgeway, fab views over the Vale of Pewsey and siwng into your first overnight camp just south of the pretty village of All Cannings. Wow – and that’s just day 1!

Day 2: All Cannings to Goring. c. 100km

Day 2 is mainly on the Ridgeway - Britain’s oldest road which passes a jaw-dropping selection of historic sites and far-reaching views (see our journal entry on the Ridgeway).

Climb up to Tan Hill, cross over the River Kennet into Avebury with its picture-perfect thatched cottages and the spectacular Avebury Stone Circle.

A short distance away there’s Silbury Hill and West Kennet barrow - a Neolithic tomb dating back to c. 3650 BC.

Join the Ridgeway and spare a thought for the Vikings, Saxon and Celtic war parties and Stone Age drovers who trod the very path you are riding on!

Ride on through an Iron-age hill fort! Barbury CastleIron occupying a commanding position overlooking the landscape.

Pull into the eerily, atmospheric Wayland’s Smithy. Legend has it that Wayland - Saxon god of metalworking ran his workshop from here! The Neolithic long barrow featuring giant stones by its entrance was an active burial ground around 3,500 BC.

Next up - the famous Uffington White Horse - a giant 110m hillside Celtic carving which dates back to Bronze-Iron Age. Nearby is Uffington Castle one of the largest Iron Age hill forts in the UK is nearby. Drop down into the pretty riverside village of Goring-on-Thames. Come into land a short detour from the trail at your next overnight stop - for refuelling and your 2nd overnight camp.

Day 3 - From Goring to Dockenfield: c. 100km

Rejoin King Alfred's Way at Goring-on-Thames. Cross over the river in this twee village with its weirs, locks, riverside pubs and cafés before dropping onto the Thames Path, on through Coombe Park and the stunning Whitchurch-on-Thames complete with Norman church.

The next section is a mix of lanes, riverside paths and Reading, a surprisingly cycle-friendly city. Push through and onto the quieter lanes and Thames path which cuts through the King’s Heads, south to Swallowfield, Riseley and to pick up the Roman “motorway” known as the Devil’s Highway dating back to c. 4,700AD.

Gravel and narrow lanes lead onto Wellington Country Park and Thatcher’s Ford.

Hazeley Heath, an RSPB nature reserve is home to some very special wildlife and some sweet single-track.

Tree-lined bridleways and the Basingstoke Canal towpaths carry you south and onto the motte and bailey Farnham Castle.

Wind through pristine estates leading to the Cistercian monastery at Waverley Abbey, through Farnham Heath Nature Reserve on gravel paths and onto quiet Surrey lanes.

Now in the company of the Wey River follow a short detour to your 3rd night's riverside campsite. A real beauty.

Day 4: Dockenfiled to Winchester: c. 100km

Your last day starts along the shores of the very scenic Frensham Great Ponds.

Next up is a super-special bridleway which forms part of the Devil’s Punchbowl loop into Thursley Common Nature Reserve and Hindhead Common with its stunning views.

This is Devil’s Punch Bowl country where you can soak up the spectacular scenery and far-reaching views. Legend has it that this is where here the Devil would torment Thor, the God of Thunder.

Join The Shipwright’s Way before you hit the steep climb up through Queen Elizabeth’s Country Park.

Rejoin King Alfred’s Way where it merges with the South Downs Way.

You'll be blown away by the views across the Meon Valley and the roller-coasting landscape.

Crawl up to the Iron Age Hill fort - Old Winchester and sweep on down into the next valley on the repurposed railway line to Exton into Temple Valley.

Your last few miles feature Plague Pits between the walls of Catherine’s Hill and Twyford Down to the River Itchen and the Itchen Way. You'll be relieved to see Winchester’s wharf area with its old warehouses, the restored City Mill and Wolvesey Castle.

Swing into the High Street with its stunning Georgian and Victorian features where you'll be welcomed by the familiar sight of an old friend - The Great King Alfred.

Celebrate in the company of a King! Wild Cycles will be there to congratulate you after your epic journey and reunite you with your belongings back at Winchester Station!!!