hi looking for an XC route ideas for the purbecks.  Parking up at sandbanks and heading over on the chain ferry.  6 – 7 hours of xc ideally.  with a nice lunch stop.  Both pretty fit and should be good with a decent bit of climbing

There’s a pretty classic route that (a variation of) was in Singletrack a while ago, out towards Corfe over the heath then up and over towards Kimmeridge, back towards Worth Matravers then back via Corfe, Ninebarrow Diwn, Old Harry Rocks to Studland.

This event isn’t running this year but the route options look great:

https://www.ukcyclingevents.co.uk/events/wiggle-purbeck-hill-a-saurus-mtb/

But I’d recommend somehow going through Worth Matravers as per mattbee above, then you can stop at the Square & Compass for a pasty and some cider.

If you want 6-7 HR you will need to extend those routes but they offer a good starting point.

Don’t know when you’re going, but if you’re planning to start from Sandbanks, keep an eye on the chain ferry news feed, It’s been closed today, but due to re-open again tomorrow afternoon. Also there’s a re-fit coming up next month, starting 29th Oct for 4-6 weeks.

http://www.sandbanksferry.co.uk/news.php

I’ve been thinking of something smaller and found http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/STW-Purbeck-ride

Looks good but can anyone tell me if it’s still the case?

Cheers

I did this 48 miler a few weeks ago. It starts at Wareham forest but you can join it at Studland and do it either way round.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1814596817

I live in Wareham and ride the Purbecks a lot. Let me know if you have specific questions.

Thanks for the tips guys, pretty bike John, what is it?

planning on a sat in a fortnight, if the weather is rubbish I’ll just go to swinley.

I’ve ridden there once before and remember riding the ridge overlooking corfe and old Harry rocks.  I remember landing in a heap at the end of the trail from old Harry when it joined tarmac and I tried to turn, sand every where.  I think there was an old pun with cool stuff everywhere and we sat on chairs which were carved logs like crabs.  this was a decade or so ago…

When I’m back on Wi-Fi I’ll take a proper look

that wiggle event looks perfect.  I’m actually at burnbake with the family.  no bike though

Park Poole side of the ferry and cycle over. The return queues can be very long. There is free on street parking about 1.5 miles away.

Try this for a route

https://www.strava.com/activities/1086827247

Did the Wiggle ride last year, was quite a nice route but there was a bit of trouble around Ballard Down with a disgruntled farmer blocking a gate with a 4×4.

If you don’t mind a bit of (quiet) road you could extend out Wareham Forest way from Studland via Arne and then return towards Corfe via Bovington/Wool. Mix of road & bridleways.

Edit:Like Jobro’s Strava link!

Only Andy’s route has Frank’s Tank in it, and neither his nor Jobro’s route has Woodhyde. Incorporate the old Dorset Rough Riders DRRT route into your pick of the routes above for the best-of collection of descents in the Purbecks.

Frank’s Tank: https://www.strava.com/segments/1219002

Woodhyde: https://www.strava.com/segments/1204862

DRRT: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/318317830