Drover's road to Winchester

Ride Level: Red - Challenging 

Gravel/CX MTB | GPX Route | Gravel, Single Track and minor roads  | 128 km/80 miles 

Drover's roads or droves are roads that were used to drive livestock from one place or another and can be very ancient paths. This ride to Winchester takes advantage of these long uninterrupted stretches of by-way, as well following more traditional bridleways with some more technical sandy trails. 

The route heads through the Surrey Hills ANOB, before following the Wey Valley towards Alton where it joins a network of ancient Drovers roads descending into the Ichen Valley.

Any questions? Contact me 

Ride Description

Heading off from Clapham Junction Station, the route makes a beeline to Berrylands where it leaves the roads and follows the Hogsmill river out towards Ashstead Common and Leatherhead. 

From here you cross the chalk downs to reach the first summit at Ranmore Common. From here there's a delicious steady fast descent to just beyond Newlands Corner. Take this section with gusto, it's probably one of the best pieces of gravel riding you'll get in the UK. 

Join the sandy bridleways that skirt Guildford to the south, there's a great opportunity for a dip at St Catherine's Bridge as you join the North Down Way. 

Tidy woodland paths bring you to Alton the final summit of the ride, you'll enjoy the fast-flowing Ox Drovers way as it descends in the Alre valley, famous for growing watercress. 

Start and End Points 

Start: Clapham Junction Railway Station 

Finish: Winchester Cathedral 

Ride Details 

• Distance: 122 km | 76 miles
• Climb: 1480 m | 4900 ft 
• Percentage off-road: 60%
• Trail surface: Gravel | Cycle Paths | Single Track | Minor Roads
• Technical Grade: Red  - Challenging in places
• Mudometer - Moderate - sandy sections around Guildford and some horse churned bridleways - best ridden late Spring to early Autumn.

Places to Eat 

41 miles:           The Donkey Charles Hill 

Is this ride for me? 

Ideal for riders with decent off-road experience and reasonable fitness.

Is my bike OK for this ride? 

The route is best completed on the gravel/CX bike or a mountain bike.