King Alfred’s Way

King Alfred’s Way is a 350km/217-mile circular off-road adventure route through 10,000 years of history, connecting some of England’s most iconic sites.

Despite being easily accessible from cities in the south of England, you’ll feel like you’ve escaped from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Think white horses on chalk hillsides and wide-open views across rolling waves of countryside.

The name of the trail is inspired by Alfred the Great, who ruled the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex. The trail starts and ends at King Alfred’s statue in Winchester, where he is buried.

Using parts of the Ridgeway and South Downs Way, the trail is ideal for gravel bikes – or mountain bikes during the wetter months – and can be ridden over a few days as a bikepacking trip. It also connects with the Thames Path and the North Downs Way riders’ route, so you can combine multiple routes into a longer ride.

King Alfred’s Way forms a crucial part of Cycling UK’s goal to create a network of long-distance off-road routes across the length and breadth of Great Britain, through fascinating places and inspiring landscapes.

To get an in-depth idea of what it’s like to ride the route, have a look at the excellent Time Travel Gravel videos by route guide author Guy Kesteven.