Sitting beneath the broad expanse of the famous South Downs National Park, the surrounding countryside of Brighton and Hove is a fantastic place to explore on both foot and by bike. These bike trails vary in distance but all of them have the wow factor when admiring the stunning countryside on the doorstep of this great city.
Queen’s Park Circular to Woodingdean
Beginning in Brighton’s picturesque Queen’s Park, this circular trail winds along the coast to nearby Rottingdean and Woodingdean before ascending upwards through the Downs offering breathtaking views of Brighton and the sea.
The route is challenging and includes a fair amount of elevation gain, but for more experienced cyclists it is a right-of-passage when visiting Brighton.
The route is 21.4km and is a perfect trail for blowing away the cobwebs on a Saturday morning.
Stanmer Park Circular
This shorter trail is perfect for less experienced cyclists who don’t necessarily have all day to get out and stretch their legs.
Due to the climbs around Stanmer Park and the Falmer area, the route is still relatively challenging, though it only measures in at 14.2km so won’t take you all day.
What the trail lacks in distance it makes up for in stunning natural beauty. The Falmer area is a popular place for students of the local universities to explore, but it is also a favourite of locals and visitors alike with its picturesque woodlands, fields, hilltops, and villages.
Devil’s Dyke and Pycombe Circular
Not for the faint-hearted, this challenging route measures in at just over 21km, but anyone who has taken the bus to Devil’s Dyke will know that there is a mighty tall climb ahead of anyone who attempts this trail by bike.
However, as the old adage goes, there must be pain for gain, and the reward for those who undertake this route is unparalleled views over Brighton and the South Downs.
It is recommended to begin the route at Devil’s Dyke where the trail runs through nearby West Hill, Holt Hill, Coney Hill, and even down into Hove Park, before returning up a steep ascent back to where it started.
Southwick and Truleigh Hill
This route is accessible for cyclists of all experiences and skill levels, although it is not without its fair share of hills.
The route measures 12.7km and can be completed in just over three hours at a leisurely pace. The trail is mostly comprised of country lanes but does cross certain expanses of field, so making sure your bike is well-equipped for these cross-country elements is imperative.
For those intrepid explorers who wish to make the route into a weekend affair during the peak of summer, there are plenty of spots for camping along the way.
Falmer to Woodingdean
For those looking for a light and breezy cycle that can be completed in just shy of two hours at a leisurely pace, this easy route from Falmer to Woodingdean is a trail tailor-made for the family on a sunny Sunday morning.
The route measures only 5.8km and is essentially a link between the Falmer and Woodingdean areas of Brighton and as such is frequented by many hikers and runners during the busy times of the day.
The views of the city on this route are stunning which makes the trail all the more popular, so for those looking for more solitude, setting off bright and early is a must.
Devil’s dyke and Ditchling Beacon Circular
This fantastic trail visits two of the most stunning and popular heritage sites overlooking Brighton, and for those who consider breathtaking views as catnip for the soul, you won’t find better than those offered on Devil’s Dyke and Ditchling Beacon.
Given the views, it will come as no surprise that this a trail with plenty of elevation. 822 metres of it, to be precise.
The route is without a doubt a challenging one, but for more experienced cyclists it can be the perfect excuse to combine training with sightseeing as the views don’t get much more stunning than on this fabulous trail.
Portslade to Devil’s Dyke
Devil’s Dyke is arguably the epicentre for everything trail related in Brighton and the surrounding areas, and it’s not hard to see why.
The renowned artist John Constable once remarked that Devil’s Dyke possessed the best views in the world and while that may not be an undisputed fact, there is certainly a great deal of evidence to support such a statement after visiting.
The route from Portslade By Sea to Devil’s Dyke is a 12.9km circular trail that explores the city limits up to the great hilltop of Devil’s Dyke and back, making it a perfect cycle route for those living in the area.
Stanmer Park and West Hill Circular
One of the most challenging routes on this list, the popular Stanmer Park and West Hill Circular Trail is an all day affair for experienced cyclists and mountain bikers.
The route follows winding dirt trails through fields and along hill-faces towards Pyecombe and Poynings, providing stunning views of the South Downs and Brighton below.
The route is a 28.2km in distance, but has nearly 1000 metres of elevation throughout so it can be a time-consuming ride even for seasoned cyclists.
Pyecombe To Alfriston
This trail is “out there” in every sense of the phrase, so far as it doesn’t technically start or end in Brighton, and only skims the city limits. However, for those looking for a scenic countryside break from the city, this route is a perfect excuse to grab a bike, a friend, and head for the hills.
The trail from Pyecombe to Alfriston follows dirt, grass, and gravel tracks though fields and over hills aplenty. This is widely considered a cross-country route, so using a trail bike is a must, but both Pyecombe and Alfriston and fine destinations to begin and end your day’s adventure.
And a day’s adventure it most certainly will be. This route is a whopping 35.7km long, but is well-worth the considerable effort it takes to complete.
Patcham and Lower Strandean Circular
This moderate difficulty route measuring just over 12km is perfect for intermediate level cyclists looking to blow away the cobwebs on a sunny weekend morning.
The trail is a circular route that crosses stunning stretches of South Downs countryside, beginning in the residential district of Patcham and winding through picturesque woodland and fields.
Don’t be perturbed if you run into fields of sheep on the route, and for those who would prefer to hike rather than bike, keeping dogs on a lead is a must.
Queen’s Park And Saddlescombe Circular
This trail is perfect for those who wish to combine nature and exploring the streets of Brighton and Hove. Beginning in Queen’s Park in the Hanover area of Brighton, the route travels down along the seafront and up into Hove and Portslade before crossing the lower extremities of the South Downs National Park.
The trail is a total of 26.1km and has a total of 633 metres of elevation, but there is no better route for those visiting the city to travel by bike and get a rich mix of eye catching sights.
The route is a circular one and finishes at Queen’s Park where you can reward yourself with lunch at one of Hanover’s many exquisite pubs.
