Cycle Routes: Loop No.1 from Carisbrooke Priory

This the first in a series of guides to the Island’s best cycle routes and requires a medium level of fitness and should take between 1 1/2 to 2 hours. The route of approximately 15 miles offers spectacular rural views and a great pub to stop for refreshing ale half way. There are myriad of trails to explore off from the main route and a quick exit back to Carisbrooke by following the Bowcombe Road from the top of Shorwell Shute.

Start and finish: Carisbrooke Priory at the top of Cedars Hill/Whitcombe Road.
In the back pack: OS Leisure 29 map, spare tube, tyre levers, pump, water and an energy bar.

The route:

Head west out of the car park and at the first bend/junction with Froglands Lane follow the Shepherds Trail Bridleway. The climb takes you up through a long tree lined corridor above Great Whitcombe Manor the geographic centre of the Island. As you clear the trees look out for a bridleway 150yds on you right to Garstons. Follow this through to a bridle road. Take a right and go on to Garstons House, sitting in splendid isolation above the Bowcombe Valley.

At Garstons don’t follow the bridle road down to Bowcombe, but head on up past the pit on the bridle path to the Chillerton Mast and Shorwell. It’s a tough climb snaking up round the pit to the left and levels out on a short balcony trail with stunning views of Arreton Down and the Solent. At the next junction above a great natural bowl head right and up, through the gate and up to the pines. Take a left here and continue onto the mast and join the concrete road.

Follow the concrete road down until you reach the next junction on your left. Turn down here onto a sharp dusty descent to the cattle grid. Above Newbarn Farm head right and follow the bridle path over the ridge to the top of Shorwell Shute.

If you feeling thirsty follow the road to your left down to the Crown – beware you’ve got go back up to re-join the trail!

If you want to carry on, cross straight over the shute and follow the bridle road up past Cheverton Chalk pit. It’s a fairly gradual climb that continues right up to the top of the Down and to the edge of Brighstone Forest. Just through the double gate turn right down a long tunnel of trees, keep on until reach a crossroads with a forest fire road – go straight over and then your immediately at another. This time go right and up the hill. Follow the now tree covered fire road on until it reaches the next gate joins open farmland and a stunning view of the Solent and the mainland to your right.

Follow the bridle road across the fields and down the hill. At the next junction head straight on following signs to Carisbrooke. This is the Tennyson Trail that will take you all the way back to Carisbrooke. Just above Carisbrooke a swift downhill with banked turns that drops sharply takes you to the road junction with Nodgham lane. Take a right here and follow through to crossroads. Head over and down Clatterford Shute, through the ford and round to the right. Through a second deeper ford (use the bridge here!) then it’s just a short climb and stay left on Froglands lane. 250 yds and your back where you started the Shepherds trail. Time for a second lap? Maybe not today!