Drovers road to Bath
3 DAYS | CHALLENGING RIDING BESPOKE TOUR | FULLY GUIDED AND SUPPORTED
This is an epic gravel ride across the west of England from London to Georgian Bath. Admittedly circuitous, the 170 miles, a staggering 75% of which are off-road, visits some amazing places, Winchester, capital of ancient Wessex, Salisbury with its gorgeous cathedral close and runs as close to Stonehenge as possible.
These famous sights are connected by a series of glorious bridleways and drovers’ roads. Used to drive animals to market or new pastures, drover's roads are as old as the hills, although many have been incorporated into the modern road network, those that have escaped the tarmac have become wonderful long stretches of unbroken off-road gravel paths.
This is an epic gravel route through history on historic routes, what more could you want?
Day 1
Swop your bags for bikes in Central London and when ready head west, climbing out of the Thames Valley and onto the chalky North Downs, riding through the woods following the westerly droveway towards Guildford and onto the Hogs Back.
We'll stop for lunch at one of the many traditional pubs and perhaps take a break to look at Guildford’s Norman castle keep.
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Attractions: Guildford Castle
Distance: 55 miles
Accommodation: Comfortable pub
Day 2
The morning’s ride leaves the droveway to follow the Wey Valley before climbing over the ridge and dropping into the Itchen Valley famous for its watercress farms. It’s a peaceful relatively easy ride through quiet countryside that leads into historic Winchester, an ideal place to stop for lunch.
We re-join the westerly droveways, aiming for Salisbury, the stopping point for the day.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Attractions: Winchester and Salisbury
Distance: 50 miles
Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in Salisbury
Day 3
True time travelling today, ride past the Iron Age fort of Old Sarum and onto the plain to mesmeric Stonehenge.
Leaving the hordes of tourists at the henge, peace returns as we continue across the plain, studded with tumuli, eventually dropping down into the Avon Valley near Trowbridge to join the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath, across the magnificent Dundas aqueduct at Avon cliff and into Bath.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Attractions: Old Sarum, Stonehenge, Dundas Aqueduct, Bath
Distance: 50 miles
Bike hire
We can organise for you to hire a top-of-the-range Open Gravel bike for this trip
What's Included
As written this tour included the following
2 nights' accommodation at comfortable pubs or hotels oozing local character
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and ride snacks
Knowledgeable local guide (usually Charlie)
Luggage transfers
Mobile support and mechanic
What's not included
Bike Hire
Flights
Travel Insurance
Gratuities for Hidden Tracks guides and support crew.
Price Guide
All our tours are individually planned to suit your requirements, as described I’d expect this tour to cost approx. £950 per rider based on a group of 6 cyclists.