Cycling Routes in Surrey
From the Olympic climb of Box Hill to family-friendly towpaths along the Thames and Wey, Surrey offers some of the finest cycling in southern England.
Road Cycling
Box Hill Olympic Loop
Ride the iconic zigzag climb used in the 2012 Olympic road race, looping through the Surrey Hills from Dorking with stunning views from the North Downs escarpment.
Leith Hill Challenge
Tackle the highest point in Surrey on this demanding climb through ancient woodland, with gradients reaching 16% on the steepest approach.
Surrey Hills Classic
A grand tour of the Surrey Hills AONB taking in Newlands Corner, Shere and the Hurtwood on rolling lanes through some of England’s finest countryside.
Newlands Corner Circuit
A shorter loop from Guildford climbing to the viewpoint at Newlands Corner before dropping through the Tillingbourne Valley and the village of Shere.
Ranmore Common Loop
A testing loop over the wooded ridge of Ranmore Common with quiet lanes, challenging gradients and views across the Mole Valley.
Holmbury Hill Climb
A punishing ascent to one of the highest points in the Surrey Hills, rewarded with sweeping views from the Iron Age hillfort at the summit.
Greensand Way Cycle
A long-distance route across the greensand ridge from Dorking to Haslemere, following quiet lanes and bridleways through woodland and heathland.
Mountain Biking
Peaslake MTB Trails
Surrey’s mountain biking heartland, with hand-built singletrack threading through the Hurtwood offering everything from flowing berms to technical root sections.
Pitch Hill & Winterfold
Technical woodland trails across two adjoining hills, with challenging descents through the pines and fast-flowing singletrack across sandy heathland.
Friday Street Loop
A scenic off-road loop linking the hamlet of Friday Street to Leith Hill and Abinger Common, mixing bridleways and woodland trails with quiet lanes.
Family & Leisure Routes
Shere to Gomshall Family Route
A gentle ride along the Tillingbourne Valley between two of Surrey’s most attractive villages, following quiet lanes and a riverside path.
Thames Towpath
A flat, traffic-free riverside ride along the Thames from Weybridge to Kingston, passing through Hampton Court and the leafy riverbanks of Molesey.
Wey Navigation Path
Follow the tranquil Wey Navigation canal from Guildford through water meadows and past historic locks on a flat, largely traffic-free towpath.
Dorking to Reigate Ridge
A scenic ride along the North Downs ridge from Dorking to Reigate Hill, following quiet lanes past Betchworth and through rolling farmland.
Epsom Downs Circuit
A gentle circuit around the famous Epsom Downs racecourse, with open views across London and easy riding on quiet roads and paths.
Surrey has long been regarded as one of the premier cycling destinations in the south-east of England. The county’s rolling chalk downs, wooded hillsides and quiet country lanes provide a landscape that challenges seasoned road cyclists while still offering gentle towpath rides for families. The Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty forms the heartland of the riding here, with iconic climbs such as Box Hill, Leith Hill and Holmbury Hill drawing thousands of riders every weekend.
The county’s cycling credentials were cemented on the world stage when the 2012 Olympic road race swept through Dorking and up the famous zigzag ascent of Box Hill. That single event transformed the area into a pilgrimage site for road cyclists, and the legacy endures in well-maintained roads, popular sportives and a thriving café culture built around cycling. Clubs such as Kingston Wheelers, Redhill CC and Guildford CC have ridden these lanes for over a century, and newcomers are always welcome.
Beyond road cycling, Surrey’s dense woodland around Peaslake and Pitch Hill has become a nationally recognised mountain-biking destination, with hand-built singletrack threading through the trees. For those seeking something more relaxed, flat routes along the Thames towpath and the Wey Navigation offer traffic-free riding through some of the county’s prettiest waterside scenery. Whatever your ability or preference, there is a ride in Surrey that will suit you.
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