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National Cycle Route 23

85.7 miles (138 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This Sustrans signed National Cycle Route runs from Reading to Southampton.
You'll pass through Berkshire and Hampshire visiting the towns of Basingstoke, Alresford, Winchester and Eastleigh. There's also a section on the Isle of Wight known as the Red Squirrel Trail. You will need to catch the ferry from Southampton to Cowes to access this final section.
The route includes lots of traffic free sections with lovely countryside views and scenic country lanes to enjoy.
See the list below for manageable day rides along sections of the route. Scroll further down for route videos and the gpx download.

Cycle Routes on National Cycle Route 23

  • Basingstoke to Reading - This route takes you along NCN route 23 from Hampshire into Berkshire
  • Winchester to Basingstoke - This route follows National Cycle route 23 through Hampshire.The route starts by Winchester tourist information centre and follows the Rivers Itchen and Alre to New Alresford
  • Southampton to Winchester - This route follows National Cycle Network Route 23 from Southampton to Winchester
  • Red Squirrel Trail - This super cycle trail explores the central and south eastern part of the Isle of Wight using a mixture of traffic free paths and country lanes.

National Cycle Route 23 OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

National Cycle Route 23 Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

National Cycle Network - route 23 - geograph.org.uk - 743147

National Cycle Network - route 23. Skirting along the southern edge of Eastrop Park before heading off towards Old Basing.

National Cycle Route 23 - Cufaude Lane - geograph.org.uk - 870549

Cufaude Lane, Bramley

National Cycle Network route 23 sign to Newport

National Cycle Network route 23 sign to Newport

Flickr - ronsaunders47 - Remains of the Royal Pier in Southampton.Taken from the deck of the Isle of Wight Ferry bound for Cowes.

Remains of the Royal Pier in Southampton.Taken from the deck of the Isle of Wight Ferry bound for Cowes

National Cycle Route 23 at Shide

Shide, Isle of Wight. The path runs from Sandown to Cowes via Newport.

Red Funnel Ferry, East Cowes - geograph.org.uk - 3569029

Red Funnel Ferry, East Cowes

Red Squirrel Trail at Merstone (geograph 6645692)

Red Squirrel Trail at Merstone Isle of Wight

The seafront at Sandown - geograph.org.uk - 1934671

The seafront at Sandown

GPS Files

GPX File

National Cycle Route 23.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)