King Alfred’s Way

Distance 219 mi / 352 km

Hilliness Hilly

Total climb 11585 ft / 3531 m

Total descent 11654 ft / 3552 m

Surface Rough

Traffic Expect traffic

Circular route Yes

Immerse yourself in 10,000 years of history by riding this 350km loop around historic Wessex, the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Alfred the Great. The route starts and ends in Winchester where Alfred is buried, and connects iconic monuments including Stonehenge, Avebury stone circle, Iron Age hill forts, Farnham Castle, and Winchester and Salisbury Cathedrals

What is King Alfred’s Way?

King Alfred’s Way is a 350km 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.

Buy the print guidebook

This is the stage panel header!

Stage 1 KAW Test Valley

25 mi / 40 km

1591 ft / 485 m

1476 ft / 450 m

Test Valley

Stage 2 KAW Stonehenge

11 mi / 18 km

600 ft / 183 m

594 ft / 181 m

Stonehenge

Stage 3 KAW Salisbury Plain

21 mi / 34 km

942 ft / 287 m

899 ft / 274 m

Salisbury Plain

Stage 4 KAW Vale of Pewsey

10 mi / 17 km

584 ft / 178 m

427 ft / 130 m

Vale of Pewsey

Stage 5 KAW the Ridgeway

52 mi / 84 km

2559 ft / 780 m

2956 ft / 901 m

The Ridgeway

Stage 6 KAW Last Line of Defence

33 mi / 53 km

1043 ft / 318 m

824 ft / 251 m

Last Line of Defence

Stage 7 KAW the Devil's Punch Bowl

18 mi / 28 km

1371 ft / 418 m

850 ft / 259 m

The Devil's Punch Bowl

Stage 8 KAW Sussex Border

20 mi / 32 km

1004 ft / 306 m

1371 ft / 418 m

Sussex Border

Stage 9 KAW South Downs Way

31 mi / 49 km

2330 ft / 710 m

2681 ft / 817 m

South Downs Way

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.

Latest information on King Alfred’s Way

Download the route guide

For the full route guide, which includes the entire trail shown on Ordnance Survey maps, visit the Cycling UK shop.

Donate or become a member to help open up new inspirational cycling routes

Developing new off-road routes like King Alfred’s Way is only possible thanks to the generosity of our members and supporters. By signing up for membership or donating, you help us bring new routes to you, increase transport choice for people, boost the number and diversity of people cycling, and campaign to make cycling an even more positive experience. Together, we can make a cycle friendly future.

Donate today

Become a member