Bournemouth's original backpacker hostel for foreign visitors, cyclists, ramblers & groups.

Cycling for Leisure in & Around
Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP).

Bournemouth makes a useful stop on a longer cycling trip and a handy base for exploring the local area. Bournemouth is located on two National Cycle Routes NCN 2 & NCN 25.

Bournemouth Backpackers Hostel is located in the centre of a conurbation comprising of Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (now referred to as BCP). The backpackers is very close to Bournemouth's main railway station should you need to take your bike on the train. There are a number of cycle hire companies within easy reach and BCP will soon have the Beryl bike share system operating across the conurbation.

Local Cycle Maps.

Cycle Streets National Online Map & Journey Planner.

Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP) Cycle Map

Purbeck Cycle Maps (West of BCP)

New Forest Cycle Maps (East of BCP)

SE Dorset Maps (Generally north of BCP)

Other Cycle Routes on Cycle-Route.com

Local Cycle Hire Companies.

The following cycle hire operators are walkable from the hostel, other operators may be available in other parts of BCP. Operators come and go, so please check before arranging your trip.

Front Bike Hire on the Seafront (20-25 min walk)

On Yer Bike (25-30 min walk)

Kool Cycle Hire on the West Cliff (25-30 mins walk)

Beryl Bikes are now available close to the hostel (a few minutes walk)

Free Guided/Social Cycle Rides.

Let's Ride - guided rides run by volunteers

Weekly Rides with the Velo Domestique Cycle Cafe

An informal ride every Saturday morning from Christchurch to Burley in the New Forest

Cycling Day Out - Purbeck.

There are three basic ways to explore Purbeck by bike from the backpackers.

• Cycle to the chain ferry at Sandbanks along the Promenade (5.5. miles, max 10 mph & not between 10AM and 6PM in July & August). Take you bike over the ferry to Studland and explore.
• Cycle to the chain ferry at Sandbanks by road (7 miles) & take you bike over the chain ferry to Studland and explore.
• Take the train to Wareham with your bike (be aware there is limited space for bikes on the train).

Cycling Day Out - New Forest.

There are two ways to organise cycle trip around the New Forest from the backpackers.

• Take your bike on half-hourly train to Brockenhurst which takes around 20-30 minutes (be aware there is limited space for bikes on the train).
• Take the half-hourly train to Brockenhurst which takes around 20-30 minutes. Cycle hire is available in the car park at Brockenhurst railway station.
• Cycle to the New Forest (approximately 9 miles from the hostel to the western edge of the National Park).

Download a Ride (.gpx file).

The following rides can be downloaded as .gpx files which can be loaded into many geographic and route finding apps. Please note. although we ride thee routes fairly often, they are provided only as a suggestion. We are not stating that these rides are either safe or legal - i.e. you ride them at your own risk!

A gentle ride from the backpackers to the Sandbanks ferry along the Promenade (Prom closed 10:00-18:00 in July/August). you can extend the ride by taking your bike on the ferry to Swanage and Purbeck.
Bournemouth Backpackers to Sandbanks Ferry & Back (11 miles)

A gentle, mostly traffic, free ride from the backpackers to Hengistbury Head along the Promenade (Prom closed 10:00-18:00 in July/August). Stunning views across Christchurch Harbour.
Bournemouth Backpackers to Hengistbury Head & Back (12 miles)

A ride out to the Stour Valley using some quiet'ish backroutes through parks to get there avoiding most main roads.
Bournemouth Backpackers to the Stour Valley (14 miles)

More to come...

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