One of the things we’re most excited about this year is the range of routes available at the Girls That Ride Bikes Festival. Whether you’re completely new to cycling or looking for a full-day adventure, there’s something for everyone.
Our routes explore some of the best riding Dorset has to offer, from peaceful old railway lines and historic hill forts to forest gravel tracks and the dramatic Jurassic Coast.
Routes range from 20km beginner-friendly rides all the way up to a 150km adventure challenge.
All routes will be available as GPX files, allowing riders to set off in small groups and ride at their own pace. The 20km route will have a printed map of the trailway. On Friday evening we’ll also host a ride meet-up session, helping solo riders connect with others before the weekend adventures begin.
Route Options
The Railway Rambler – 20km
A relaxed introduction to the Dorset countryside and the perfect first ride for beginners.
This route follows the Dorset Trailway, a beautiful old railway line that once connected Bournemouth to Bristol. Today it offers a peaceful traffic-free path through rolling countryside, small villages and leafy green corridors.
The route is mostly flat with a few gentle rolling sections, making it ideal for riders who want a relaxed and scenic ride. There are plenty of opportunities along the way to stop at local cafés and pubs.
The Dorset Explorer – 40km
A guided ride led by our wonderful Girls That Ride Bikes ride leaders, exploring some of the very best of the local Dorset landscape. This route is primarily a mountain bike ride, but it can also be comfortably ridden on a gravel bike.
The ride heads out through quiet country lanes and gravel tracks, visiting some of Dorset’s most impressive historic hill forts, including Hod Hill and Hambledon Hill, both offering spectacular views across the Blackmore Vale.
Expect rolling countryside, welcoming village cafés and a ride that blends history, scenery and great cycling.
The Wareham Wander – 60km
A true gravel adventure heading south towards Wareham Forest.
This route takes riders through quiet Dorset countryside before entering the flowing gravel tracks of the forest. Part way through the ride you’ll meet our festival food vendor, who will be stationed in the forest with the option of a meal deal or pre-ordered lunch delivery.
After a well-earned refuel, the ride returns through countryside and trailways back to the festival basecamp.
The Coastal Adventure – 100km
Our flagship route is the Coastal Adventure, a spectacular gravel journey from North Dorset all the way to the Jurassic Coast.
You start by heading south, riders follow historic railway paths and quiet gravel tracks as the landscape gradually opens towards the sea.
Your reward? A swim in the sea and a well-earned pastry.
From the shoreline, riders cross the iconic Sandbanks chain ferry (just £1 for cyclists), before heading inland along the Castleman Trailway, returning through Wimborne and the Dorset countryside.
The Jurassic Climber – 150km
For those wanting a big challenge, the Jurassic Climber takes things to the next level.
This epic route includes the dramatic Purbeck Ridgeway, adding serious elevation and some of the most spectacular scenery in Dorset. Riders will experience sweeping views across the Jurassic Coast, Dancing Ledge and the Purbeck hills.
It’s a demanding ride, but one that rewards riders with unforgettable landscapes.
Road Routes
For riders who prefer tarmac to gravel, we’re also offering a selection of road routes that showcase some of the most beautiful cycling lanes in Dorset.
These routes wind through quiet countryside roads, rolling farmland and charming villages before gradually heading south towards the coast. Dorset is famous for its quiet rural lanes, making it an incredible place to explore by road bike.
The routes will take riders through some of the region’s most scenic landscapes, offering long flowing sections of riding with plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the views along the way.
A highlight of the ride is a stop in Wareham, where our festival food vendor will be waiting with a well-earned lunch. Riders can collect a pre-ordered meal or grab something fresh before continuing the ride, refuelled and ready for the return journey.
Road riders will have the option of 60km, 80km and longer adventure routes, allowing everyone to choose a distance that suits their ability and appetite for the day.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxed social spin through the Dorset countryside or a longer ride towards the coast, these routes offer some of the best road cycling the region has to offer.
All routes will be available as GPX files, and riders will be encouraged to form small groups so they can enjoy the ride together.
Don’t Have a Bike? No Problem.
You don’t need to own a bike to take part in the festival.
We want to make the event accessible to as many people as possible, so there will be several ways to get riding.
Demo Bikes
Reid Bikes will bring demo bikes to the festival, giving visitors the opportunity to try out a bike for up to 2 hours, completely free of charge.
You’ll be able to take a bike out on the Trailway or local routes to experience the riding Dorset has to offer.
Demo slots can be booked in advance or on the day, depending on availability.
Borrow a Bike
Thanks to The Big Yellow Bus Project, a number of donated bikes will be available for festival participants to borrow.
These bikes can be used throughout the festival for a small donation, helping support the Yellow Bus Project and their work making cycling more accessible to communities.
Ride Together – Solo Rider Meet Up
One of the most special parts of the Girls That Ride Bikes Festival is the sense of community and shared adventure.
On Friday evening we’ll host a riders meet-up session, where you can meet other participants, plan routes and form groups before the weekend rides begin.
Whether you arrive with friends or come on your own, you’ll quickly find people to ride with.