Cycle routes and maps

There are approximately 99km of cycle routes in Poole and about half are either leisure routes, in green areas or separate from traffic. The Poole sections of National Cycle Network Route 2 and National Cycle Network Route 25 are complete and fully signed. 

The Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch area cycle map has the route information you need for cycling in the area.

Cycle journey planner

CycleStreets is a UK-wide cycle journey planner system, which lets you plan routes from A to B by bike.

Heritage cycle route

The heritage cycle route is a cycle ride of approximately 7.5 miles, visiting places of historical interest in Poole. The route goes along the Quay and out to Upton House along the picturesque Holes Bay shared-use path.

Castleman trailway

One of Dorset's gentlest way-marked routes, this 16 mile trailway takes you through some of East Dorset's most stunning landscape.

The Castleman trailway starts at Upton Country Park in Poole and follows much of the old Castleman Corkscrew railway line through Broadstone and on to the River Stour at Wimborne. After leaving Poole, it continues to beyond Ringwood.

The trailway can take you on foot, bike or horse, when all the links are in place you will be able to travel from Poole to the edge of the New Forest without needing a car, and for the most part you need not even see one.

Walkers are able to follow the entire route but cyclists and horse riders are restricted on some sections:

• currently cyclists have to find their own route through Wimborne (i.e. between Canford bottom roundabout and the Willett Arms)
  
• horse riders are restricted to: Ringwood to West Moors section and Ameysford to Stapehill Section

The terrain is relatively level throughout apart from when coming off and on the old railway line. The route is marked by waymarkers, please keep to the indicated path and follow the Countryside Code.

Bourne Valley Greenway

Greenways are largely car-free, off-road shared routes connecting people to facilities, open spaces and within and around our towns.

The Bourne Valley Greenway stretches between Canford Heath in Poole and Bournemouth Sea front and includes nature reserves, heathland and formal gardens. 

Romans and railways trailway

The Romans and railways trailway is a tour of Broadstone and district for walkers and cyclists using part of the Castleman trailway and Roman Road bridle path.

This route of about 6 miles can be followed on foot or by bicycle. The surface is variable, particularly on Roman Road, and in some places it will be necessary to get off your bike and walk. Parts of the route are affected by development - proceed with care.

Cycle West

Cycle West is a cross-channel network of three way marked cycle routes through South West England, Brittany and Normandy.

The " Petit Tour de Manche" (PTM), is a 240 mile route from Poole - Dorchester - Weymouth - Jersey - Saint Malo - Cherbourg using Condor and Brittany Ferries. This follows National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 2 and Route 26.

NCN 2 also forms part of the larger " Grande Tour de Manche" (GTM) which passes through Poole, Dorset, Devon and Plymouth then crossing the channel to Rosscoff and rejoining the PTM route and St Malo.

Cycling on the Promenade in Poole

Cycling on the promenade has some time restrictions:

• September to June: unrestricted cycling
• July and August: Cycling is permitted before 10:00 am and after 6:00 pm

When cycling is permitted the following conditions apply:

• the promenade is to be used and enjoyed by pedestrians and cyclists together, however cyclists must give way to pedestrians
• when cycling on the promenade, keep your speed down. Do not cycle more than 10mph
• where you see the signs 'cyclists dismount' or the 'no cycling' sign, be a responsible cyclist - please dismount and push your bike