NCN 25 - Dorset
NCN 25 - Dorset is a 92.8 km road cycling route in Wessex & the South with 818 m of climbing, about 12% of it off road, and it splits into a single day at a moderate pace.
The route runs south from Horningsham across Cranborne Chase, losing height gradually through a long string of small settlements before the land flattens as you approach the Stour valley. The middle section threads through Shillingstone, Durweston and Blandford St Mary on what is largely road. Beyond Shapwick the route works through the fringes of Poole before finishing in Bournemouth. Around a tenth of the distance is off road.
Worth knowing before you go
The early miles between Horningsham and Huntingford are thinly settled, so carry what you need. Poole and the coastal towns give you options late in the day. The route is tagged as road throughout, but the off-road fraction means surfaces will change.
NCN 25 - Dorset in numbers
- Distance: 92.8 km
- Climbing: 818 m
- Off road: 11 km, about 12% of the route
- Riding time: about 4 hours, a long day
Water, food, campsites and stations along this route are shown on the interactive map.
Plan it and ride it
The map on this page carries the surface breakdown, the elevation profile and every point of interest. You can split the route into days against your own pace, see what it will cost to ride, and take it with you. Download the GPX.
Read the NCN 25 - Dorset route guide.
Getting to the start without flying · Browse all routes
Route from Sustrans.
Compiled by Ed Hunton, Cicerone guidebook author, from TourTrax's own route data.