There's time for a short walk with spectacular views of the famous Needles rocks and Lighthouse before cycling along the traffic-free river path back to Yarmouth to catch the ferry. The Shorewell option, loops out from the basic route at Brighstone Forest across the downs to the village of Shorwell. Meandering through the Island's agricultural heartland it rejoins the basic route at Mottistone. Distance Basic route 26 miles. Shorewell option adds 13.1 miles.
Terrain Starts out flat, then undulating country lanes.
The Shorewell option is more challenging. At the hamlet of Rockford the landscape changes into an exposed heath with magnificent views before returning to woodland near Furzey Gardens. There's time to tour these delightfully landscaped grounds before following quiet country lanes to the picturesque village of Minstead and its intriguing church. There's a chance to do some deer spotting from the observation platform at Bolderwood before returning to Brockenhurst. At Brockenhurst station you and your bikes board the train for the hour-long journey to Wareham, an unspoilt Saxon town in Dorset.