Off-road cycling in the Cotswolds
The network of good tracks makes off-road riding one of the best ways to explore the Cotswolds. You can cover a fair bit of ground in a ride and still find the secret places inaccessible to cars. It’s great fun you don’t have to be an athlete – many riders like to walk up the steep and or muddy bits!
You will need a bike that is sturdy enough to handle off road conditions, and always wear a helmet. Be aware of changing conditions: off road riding is easier in frozen or dry conditions than when the mud is wet, but not necessarily more fun!
All of the routes on this page have been carefully developed to be both legally rideable, and beautiful. Away from these routes riding a bicycle is permitted on public roads (not motorways), byways, restricted byways and bridleways but not footpaths. Rights of access aside, off road riders are a relatively recent arrival in the countryside, so please be considerate of other users, slow down, give way and say hi.
Please follow the Mountain Biking Code of Conduct and the Countryside Code for Cyclists. Following these codes will ensure that your rides are friendly and enjoyable.
Good riding!
Cotswold Riders’ Way
A stunning circular off-road riding route that loops all the way around the Cotswolds. At just over 300km, this long-distance route passes through many scenic landscapes, villages and towns.
The route has been developed in partnership with Tim Porter who runs Cotswold Mountain Biking. Volunteers from the British Horse Society have also helped create sections that are appropriate for horse riders.
In addition to the guidance above, please note that this route is not suitable for large groups or events. Also, try to minimise the impact of your riding when the ground is wet by walking through particularly soft and muddy areas (soft ground saps your energy anyway!).
The Riders Way is not waymarked on the ground and we welcome ideas from riders as to how it can be improved including suggestions for circular routes. This does mean that it may change over time so please check back for new versions.
If you have any questions about the route, please feel free to contact Tim on tim@cotswoldmountainbiking.co.uk
Cotswold Riders Way V1.1 (300km 186 miles)
Cotswold cycle routes
From Winchcombe
These routes are available to download as GPS Exchange Format files or view online via Outdoor Active using the “View route” links below.
Cleeve Cloud (12.5 miles, 435m ascent) [View route]
Circular route from Winchcombe via Cleeve Hill, Nottingham Hill and Prescott
Guiting Loop (15.5 miles, 512m ascent) [View Route]
Circular route from Winchcombe via Sudeley and Guiting Power
West Wood (18 miles, 547m ascent) [View route]
Circular route from Winchcombe via Sudley, Charlton Abbots, Sevenhampton and Hawling
Dirtybridge and back (20.5 miles, 560m ascent) [View route]
Circular route from Winchcombe past Hailes Abbey ruins, Snowshill, Stanton, Stanway and Didbrook .
From Wotton Under Edge, near Tetbury and Stroud
These routes areavailable to download as GPS Exchange Format files or view online via Outdoor Active using the “View route” links below.
Circular via Tyley Bottom, Ozleworth and Newark Park (9 miles longer route, 443m ascent) [View route]
Circular route Wotton-under-Edge via North Nibley and beyond, including off-road.
It is worth a detour into Breakheart Quarry, where there is a cycle track around the estate (very challenging).
Circular via North Nibley (7 miles shorter route, 302m ascent) [View route]
Circular route Wotton-under-Edge via North Nibley, including off-road .
It is worth a detour into Breakheart Quarry, where there is a cycle track around the estate (very challenging).
Circular via Bradley Green, North Nibley and Stinchcombe – all on-road (11 miles, 364m ascent) [View route]
This 11 Mile all on-road ride starts Wotton-under-Edge, and visits Bradley Green, North Nibley and Stinchcombe.
Some stretches of this route are on the busy B4060.
Circular via Ozleworth, Alderley, Kilcott, Tresham and Hillesley (14 miles longer route, 512m ascent) [View route]
Circular route from Wotton-under-Edge via Wortley, Alderley, Tresham and Ozleworth. Includes off-road.
Some great climbs, descents and views here.
Circular via Wortley, Alderley, Tresham and Ozleworth (10 miles shorter route, 415m ascent) [View route]
Circular route from Wotton-under-Edge via Wortley, Alderley, Tresham and Ozleworth. Includes off-road.
Some great climbs, descents and views here
Circular via Wortley, Newark Park and Tor Hill (7 miles, 262m ascent) [View route]
Circular route from Wotton-under-Edge via Wortley, Hillmill Lane, Newark Park (ascent), Tor Hill (descent).
Includes off-road.
Circular via Blackquarries Hill (ascent), Tor Hill (descent) (4 miles shorter route, 189m ascent) [View route]
Circular route from Wotton-under-Edge with a climb up Blackquarries Hill on road and descent on the off-road section of Tor Hill, returning to Wotton. .
Other off-road cycling routes
We have devised a series of off-road cycle rides exploring some of the best scenery and countryside of the Cotswolds National Landscape.
Chedworth via Withington (12 miles)
One of the Cotswolds greatest secrets is how good the area is for mountain biking. The network of good tracks designated as byways and bridleways makes mountain biking one of the best ways to discover the area.
Brailes Hill and Ascott(15 miles)
This is a ride of tracks and vistas. It takes you around the Vale of Feldon by riding over the Ironstone Hills and around Brailes Hill. The views are great and the tracks are good though largely soft and un-surfaced so it is best ridden in dry or frosty conditions, this is a muddy ride when wet.
Aldsworth and Bibury (upto 21 miles)
This ride is made up of 3 interlocking loops so you can make it as long or as short as you like. It takes you around the good tracks and quiet lanes of the mid-Cotswolds lowlands and cuts down into the stunning lower Coln and Leach valleys.
Northleach and Hazleton (16.5 miles)
This ride takes you around the high wold with its open fields and secret valleys. It also dips down into the upper Leach and Coln valleys giving you both contrasting landscapes and good descents, plus ascents too!
Snowshill and beyond (12 or 18.5 miles)
This ride shows you some of the Cotswolds many faces. It takes you across the high wold plateau, through the top end of the Upper Dikler Valley and, if you have the energy, down and up the Cotswolds scarp! Be aware, it involves a couple of lengthy arable field crossings. Good riding on a dry summer’s day, but harder work when wet and recently ploughed. Still worth it though!
Hawkesbury via Westonbirt (18 miles)
This ride explores the high wold dip-slope, the rolling hills and valleys around Lower Kilcott and skirts along the top of the scarp. Magnificent! .