The best MTB trails around Olivers Battery

2026 April, the track down to the Winchester road is well cleared, a great descent (please don't scare the walkers!)

If you’re looking for a peaceful escape with some of the best views in Hampshire, St. Catherine's HillClick to open side panel for more information is a fantastic spot. Managed by the Wildlife Trust, this 58-hectare chalk grassland sits just on the edge of Winchester and offers a mix of ancient history and quiet nature that feels worlds away from the city center. The "Climb": To get to the summit, you’ll likely tackle a long set of over 100 wooden steps. It’s a bit of a workout, but the reward is a 360-degree panorama of Winchester Cathedral, the surrounding water meadows, and the rolling South Downs. The Mizmaze: Near the top, tucked beside a clump of beech trees, is a rare 17th-century turf labyrinth. Unlike a traditional maze with dead ends, this is a single, winding path cut into the chalk. It’s a local tradition to "toll the labyrinth" by walking the entire 600-meter path to the center. Iron Age Roots: The hill is actually an ancient hill fort. As you wander around the top, you can still clearly see the massive earthwork banks and ditches that were dug over 2,500 years ago. Wildlife Spotting: If you visit in the summer, the hillsides are famously covered in wildflowers and at least 25 species of butterflies, including the bright blue Chalkhill Blue. You might even run into the "resident" British White cattle used for conservation grazing. Pro-tips for a relaxed visit: Parking: The small car park on Garnier Road is the most convenient, but it fills up fast on weekends. A good alternative is using the St. Catherine’s Park & Ride and taking the scenic footpath along the river to reach the base of the hill. Coffee & Cake: At the bottom of the hill on Garnier Road, check out The Handlebar Café. It’s a cool, cycle-themed social enterprise made from old shipping containers that serves great coffee and snacks—perfect for a post-climb treat. Accessibility: If the steps sound a bit much, there is a much gentler, flatter route that winds around the back of the hill via "Plague Pits Valley."

sharp flints on the downhill section which can puncture your tyres

This was on the last leg of the King Alfred’s Way for me and was one of the few descents in the whole trip i walked, dry conditions but on a loaded gravel - the descent was more treacherous than i was prepared to risk / but amazing views from the top and a fast through the fields ride from the bottom.

The top section is great coming down after Fyfield Common, but the descent down into Avebury is tricky even on a mtb. Once you reach the farm it's been absolutely destroyed by 4x4s and tractors. So good luck. This type of track is my least favourite part of "official" cycling trails. They just whack the signage up and don't do any restoration or introduction of bylaws to prevent offroad vehicles from using them, restricting enjoyment for other users. It's not like there aren't miles and miles of offroad byways around here which could be legislated for multi-use and non-motorised use.

One of my favourite spots in the area, good riding all year round due to the sandy terrain.

Great options for taking different routes downhill

Beautiful lanes around this area which lead to some lovely gravel bridleways.