cycle through king alfred's ANGLO-Saxon kingdom
This is an epic 4 day self-guided circular tour covering 220 miles around King Alfred The Great’s Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Wessex. Starting and finishing in Winchester where the King is buried - this adventure is jam-packed with areas of outstanding natural beauty, spectacular vistas of the varied landscapes of Wiltshire, Wessex, Surrey and The South Downs. Travel along England’s oldest road - The Ridgeway.
Pass by countless historic sites including 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.
Ride your own or hire one of our gravel or mountain bikes.
Type: SELF-GUiDEd off-road over 4 days
Daily Distance: c. 60 miles - total Elevation: 12,600 ft
fitness level: Very good* - book as solo or group (min 2 Max 10)
*6+ hours of riding with 2,500+ ft of climbing per day.
Requires very good fitness and advanced riding skills.
Tented accommodation and meals included.
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your enjoyment - our mission
As passionate cyclists and adventurers ourselves - our mission is to take care of you and ensure you have an unforgettable few days. You just have to take care of getting yourself here and we'll take care of the rest. We have deliberately kept things simple whilst paying attention to every last detail. There's nothing better!
Included in your experience
The Wild King Alfred's Way is a self-guided tour.
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Ride briefings at the beginning of each day and campsite welcome at the end of each stage. GPX routes for each day are provided in advance and we'll walk you through each days riding.
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We support and transfer of all the gear you aren't carrying with you on your ride and ensure it gets to your overnight camp before you!
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Your camp is ready for when you arrive after a day’s ride - complete with comfy bell tents, bike maintenance kit, tables, chairs.
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3 nights in campsites with facilities.
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Chill out and share stories from the day around the camp fire in the evening.
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For your 3 evening meals - we’ll be dishing up some truly delicious cooked meals. Dietary preferences catered for - just let us know yours when booking.
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Evening meals on day 1 & 2 are at our specially-selected local pub. Delicious, wholesome cooked meal on eve 3.
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Breakfasts on 3 mornings include a delicious array of locally sourced and home-made delights, fresh coffee, tea et al - to fuel you for the day.
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Selection of brews and non-alcoholic drinks.
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What's not included
Train fares, parking, lunch and refreshments en-route.
wild King Alfred's way itinerary
3 nights 4 days
There's no beating around the bush here, with more than 6 hours riding and 3,000 ft. of altitude per day, the King Alfred's Way route is by no means a doddle and it requires high fitness levels. You'll be riding single track, rutted chalk trails, sandy pits and the odd public road. But nothing easy was ever worth doing right!
If you'd like to brush up on your off roading skills - try our intro to gravel sessions.
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Day 1
West from Winchester onto the plains
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Morning meet & greet in Winchester for briefing and loading luggage to be transferred to your campsite.
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Roll out of the city through the iconic West Gate, along Roman roads and ancient tracks, pass by the spectacular Salisbury Cathedral and then head into prehistoric countryside to soak up the sights and ancient vibes of Stonehenge. Skirt around Salisbury Plain, up onto the White Horse Trail to join the Wessex Ridgeway which brings you into your first campsite.
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Enjoy a camp fire and evening meal at a very local pub.
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Day 2
The Ridgeway
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Morning route briefing and breakfast.
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You'll spend most of today on The Ridgeway, Britain's oldest road. Pass a jaw-dropping selection of historic sites, from Iron Age Hill Forts to Tombs and Neolithic monuments like the eerie Wayland's Smithy. Take in the famous and fabulous Uffington White Horse and Uffington Castle before dropping down into the village of Goring-On-Thames where you'll navigate a short detour to your second campsite.
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Enjoy a local pub dinner and some well earned beverages.
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Day 3
Civilisation
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You'll be cycling along rivers, weirs, locks and canals for the beginning of the day before heading through Reading, a surprisingly cycle-friendly city. Tree-lined bridleways take you south, into the Surrey lanes and across the dreamy heather-filled landscapes of Farnham Common.
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Spend your last night at a gem of a campsite in the company of the River Wey and a delicious wholesome cooked dinner.
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Day 4
The ups and downs
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Re-join King Alfred's Way and pass the Frensham Great Ponds before joining a part of the Devil's Punchbowl bridleway which takes you into some spectacular Surrey wilderness. One of our favourites. Paths merge with the South Downs Way and its roller coaster landscape which will see you home and to the finish line in Winchester.
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Celebrate the end of your epic journey with old King Al! We'll be there to welcome you and reunite you with your gear - for the journey home and a well-deserved rest.
