Walking and cycling

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Walking routes

Strolling through Wiltshire’s Countryside really shows you rural England at its best. Wiltshire is famous for prehistoric sites and white horses cut into the turf of chalk hillsides and it is also a haven for wildlife. Much of the county is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is particularly suited to getting about on foot.

There are a great variety of walks available in Wiltshire: something for everyone, from the long distance treks to afternoon strolls. You can find out more about some of the walks available and download walking routes on the Walking in Wiltshire page of the Visit Wiltshire website.

For more information to help you understand how the public rights of way networks are managed and how you can get the best from our service, please visit our public rights of way section.

Rights of Way - countryside access (Natural England website)

Walking groups

Walking in a group is a great way to get active and stay motivated. Find out more about walking groups in your area - it's free and fun!

Cycling routes

Cycling is the ideal way to explore Wiltshire’s glorious countryside. It is easy to see why so much of the county is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - rolling hills with spectacular views, peaceful wooded river valleys and prehistoric sites abound.  Below are various cycling routes that run through Wiltshire.

The Wiltshire Cycleway (Regional Route 20) is a circular 160 mile (255 kms) route around Wiltshire taking in Salisbury, Amesbury, Marlborough, Malmesbury, Corsham, Bradford-on-Avon, Mere and Wilton.

Kennet and Avon Towpath Cycle Routes - is an 84 mile mainly traffic free cycle route between Reading and Bath.  Cycling is permitted along the entire length of the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath, except for a short section approximately 600 metres long near Woolhampton, is free and does not require a permit.

Town Cycle Networks

National Cycle Networks - Wiltshire

National Route 4 of the National Cycle Network is a long distance route between London and Fishguard via Reading, Bath, Bristol, Newport, Swansea, Carmarthen, Tenby, Haverfordwest and St. Davids.

National Route 24 of the National Cycle Network will run from Bath through Radstock and Frome in Somerset, then Warminster and Salisbury to join with National Route 23 at Eastleigh in Hampshire

National Route 45 of the National Cycle Network will connect Salisbury in Wiltshire with Chester in Cheshire, via Swindon, Cirencester, Gloucester, Worcester and Whitchurch

Maps, guides and books

Cycling and walking guides for Wiltshire are available from the Sustrans online shop.  There are also cycling routes available to download free of charge on the Visit Wiltshire website.

Last updated: 16 August 2011