The best traffic-free bike rides around St Leonard's Forest

There are over 110 no-traffic road cycling routes around St Leonard's Forest, offering a wide range of options for cyclists. These routes are primarily designed for racebikes, focusing on quiet roads and scenic paths.

The routes in St Leonard's Forest cater to various skill levels. You'll find a good mix, with approximately 54 easy routes, 58 moderate routes, and a few more challenging options. For example, the Roosthole Car Park – View of Hawkins Pond loop from Littlehaven is an easy 25 km ride, while the Henfold Lane – Coldharbour Lane Summit loop from Faygate offers a moderate 45 km challenge with more elevation.

Yes, many of the no-traffic road cycling routes in St Leonard's Forest are circular, allowing you to start and finish at the same point. An example is the Grinders Lane – Swallows Lane, Dial Post loop from Horsham, which is a 51 km circular route.

St Leonard's Forest offers varied terrain. While the focus is on quiet roads, you can expect undulating routes with elevations up to 145 meters, providing a good workout. The landscape features a mix of woodlands, open glades, and some paths with compacted stone surfaces. Some routes may include sections of well-maintained paths suitable for road bikes, but bridleways are generally best avoided.

As you cycle through St Leonard's Forest, you'll encounter diverse natural beauty including deciduous and coniferous woodlands, open glades, and several ponds like Whitevane Pond and Sheepwash Gill. The area also features steep-sided ravines known as 'ghylls' and historical 'hammer ponds' from the iron industry past. Keep an eye out for the famous Dragon Bench, a local point of interest.

Spring is particularly beautiful for road cycling in St Leonard's Forest, especially when the bluebells are in bloom, adding a vibrant splash of color to the woodlands. The varied terrain and mix of open and wooded areas make it enjoyable throughout much of the year, though some paths can be muddy after heavy rain, so checking conditions is advisable.

Absolutely. If you're looking for an easier or shorter ride, there are plenty of options. For instance, the Kerves Lane Climb – Itchingfield Crossroads loop from Horsham is an easy 33 km route, and the Roosthole Car Park – View of Hawkins Pond loop from Littlehaven is an even shorter 25 km easy ride, perfect for a relaxed outing.

Roosthole car park is a common and convenient starting point for many routes within St Leonard's Forest. Other access points are available through Leechpool Woods and nearby villages like Colgate and Faygate, which may offer additional parking options.

The komoot community highly rates the road cycling experience in St Leonard's Forest, with an average score of 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 300 ratings. Cyclists often praise the quiet roads, the diverse scenery of woodlands and open glades, and the sense of tranquility offered by the no-traffic routes.

Yes, St Leonard's Forest is rich in history. Beyond its ancient woodlands and remnants of the iron industry like 'hammer ponds,' the area is steeped in local legends, including tales of a French hermit and a dragon. These historical and mythical elements add an extra layer of interest to your ride.

While the focus is on no-traffic routes, some loops may pass near or through villages like Faygate, Colgate, or Rusper. For example, the The Plough Pub, Rusper – Rusper Village loop from Littlehaven is a 31 km route that starts and ends near a pub, offering a potential stop for refreshments.