Swindon is a region located at the northeastern edge of South West England, characterized by its diverse landscapes that support a range of outdoor pursuits. Its strategic position provides access to the rolling hills of the Cotswolds to the north and the chalk downlands of the North Wessex Downs to the south. The historic Ridgeway National Trail also passes nearby, contributing to a varied terrain suitable for several sports like mountain biking, hiking, touring cycling, road cycling, and more. Within…
75
Routes
4.5
(60)
Average rating
805
People visited

4.1
(11)
26
riders
42.6km
03:15
670m
670m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

23
riders
53.2km
03:54
780m
780m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
10
riders
15.2km
01:14
300m
300m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
riders
26.2km
01:57
380m
380m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(2)
43
riders
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

25
riders
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.5
(4)
20
riders
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
8
riders
15.1km
00:40
90m
90m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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105
hikers
5.48km
01:25
30m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(10)
39
hikers
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
11
hikers
5.66km
01:28
30m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(2)
7
hikers
9.29km
02:26
70m
70m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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37
riders
18.3km
01:04
80m
80m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
31
riders
8.81km
00:30
30m
30m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
26
riders
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
14
riders
14.5km
00:51
70m
70m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
40
riders
115km
08:15
1,650m
1,650m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
14
riders
19.0km
01:20
260m
260m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
71.0km
04:47
990m
990m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
27.2km
01:55
490m
490m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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11
runners
14.9km
01:33
70m
70m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

18
runners
10.4km
01:05
60m
60m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
runners
13.0km
01:22
90m
90m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
runners
5.84km
00:36
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Swindon offers a variety of outdoor activities, including Mountain biking, Hiking, Touring cycling, Road cycling, Gravel biking, and Jogging. The region's diverse landscapes, from local parks to National Landscapes, provide options for different preferences. More than 20 routes are available for exploration.
Popular mountain biking options near Swindon include the Croft Trail, which offers dedicated sections for various skill levels. Sections of the Ridgeway National Trail and King Alfred's Way also provide extensive routes. Lydiard Park and Coate Water Country Park feature trails suitable for mountain biking. For more options, consult the MTB Trails around Swindon guide.
Yes, the Croft Trail includes family-friendly blue-grade sections designed for less confident riders, with 'escape runs' available. Lydiard Park and Coate Water Country Park also offer flatter paths suitable for easier rides. The Gravel biking around Swindon guide may also feature suitable routes.
Swindon provides access to various hiking opportunities, from leisurely strolls in local parks like Lydiard Park and Coate Water Country Park to more extensive paths in the surrounding North Wessex Downs and along the Ridgeway National Trail. Guides such as Hiking around Swindon and Easy hikes around Swindon detail specific routes.
Lydiard Park and Coate Water Country Park offer well-maintained paths suitable for family walks and cycling. The Croft Trail also has designated easy sections for families. These parks provide open spaces and facilities for a pleasant family outing.
Parking is available at several key locations. Lydiard Park and Coate Water Country Park offer dedicated parking facilities. Access points for the Ridgeway National Trail, such as near Barbury Castle, also typically have parking. For the Croft Trail, parking is usually available nearby within Croft Country Park.
Many outdoor areas around Swindon are dog-friendly, including sections of the Ridgeway National Trail and King Alfred's Way. Specific rules for the Croft Trail may vary, so checking local signage is advisable. Generally, dogs should be kept under control, especially around livestock or other trail users.
Swindon is situated near several significant natural areas. The Ridgeway National Trail passes just south of the town, offering ancient landscapes. To the north lies the Cotswolds National Landscape, and to the south, the North Wessex Downs National Landscape. Local parks like Coate Water Country Park and Lydiard Park also provide green spaces within the town.
Swindon offers various cycling routes, including sections of the Sustrans network (Routes 45 and 482) and cross-country routes like King Alfred's Way. The surrounding areas, including the Cotswolds and North Wessex Downs, provide scenic options for both touring and road cycling. Specific routes can be found in the Cycling around Swindon and Road Cycling Routes around Swindon guides.
Outdoor routes in Swindon are well-regarded on komoot. There are more than 20 routes available, with over 48,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The average rating for these routes is 4.54 out of 5 stars, indicating a high level of satisfaction among users.
Komoot offers several guides for Swindon, covering various sports. These include MTB Trails around Swindon, Hiking around Swindon, Cycling around Swindon, and Road Cycling Routes around Swindon. Additional guides for easy hikes, gravel biking, and running trails are also available.
For general inquiries regarding outdoor activities and local information, the official website for Swindon Borough Council is swindon.gov.uk. The main phone number for the council is 01793 445500.
Many popular outdoor areas in and around Swindon have amenities nearby. Lydiard Park and Coate Water Country Park typically feature cafes or refreshment options. Villages and towns along the Ridgeway National Trail and King Alfred's Way often provide pubs and eateries for trail users.

