Burley Hill Fort loop — New Forest National Park

Bike touring routes & trails

Burley Hill Fort loop — New Forest National Park

Easy

4.7

(15)

riders

Burley Hill Fort loop — New Forest National Park

00:58

13.5km

100m

Cycling

This ride takes you on and off-road along covered trails in the New Forest that were once popular routes for smuggling. One local tale tells of Lovely Warne who would dress in a red velvet coat and stand on nearby Vereley Hill to warn her brother when customs officers were near. This would help smugglers safely get to Warne’s Bar in the Queen's Head, where this route begins.

by New Forest National Park

Last updated: June 13, 2024

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

New Forest National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

2.16 km

Burley Moor: Ponies and Scenic Views

Highlight • Viewpoint

On Burley Moor you can enjoy some beautiful expansive views, usually shared in the company of the quietly grazing forest ponies.

Tip by

3.34 km

Castle Hill Lane Gravel Track, New Forest National Park

Highlight (Segment) • Forest

Perfect gravel climb and descent from both directions. Excellent way to avoid the middle of Burley village.

Tip by

8.38 km

Castleman’s Corkscrew Railway Path

Highlight • Cycleway

Long, flat, wide gravel trail - perfect for avoiding Burley village or the cars in the main road.

Tip by

10.4 km

Mill Lane Fords, New Forest National Park

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Travelling along Mill Lane takes you from civilisation into the New Forest proper. Or vice versa. As befits its name, there are two fords to cross along the road which adds in some extra fun. The water is very rarely deep but do check before cycling through.

Tip by

13.4 km

The Queen's Head pub, Burley

Highlight • Restaurant

The Queen's Head pub was used by smugglers and highwaymen in the 17th century as a stopping point. Old coins, brandy bottles and pistols were discovered in a hidden cellar during renovation work. The New Forest's maze of secret tracks through woods and heaths provided the perfect cover to move contraband safely from the coast. Ridley Wood on the northern edge of Burley was a black market for these goods.

Tip by

13.5 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

9.06 km

2.53 km

1.86 km

< 100 m

Surfaces

5.04 km

4.31 km

4.18 km

Elevation

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Weather

Wednesday 21 October

16°C

8°C

-- %

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Comments

April 25, 2024

This ride takes you on and off-road along covered trails in the New Forest that were once popular routes for smuggling.   One local tale tells of Lovely Warne who would dress in a red velvet coat and stand on nearby Vereley Hill to warn her brother when customs officers were near. This would help smugglers