Castleman Trailway

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Cycle legal public tracks for exploration of the stunning south west Protected Landscapes.
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One or more graded and way-marked off-road cycling trails with visitor facilities.
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Traffic-free cycling routes promoted by Local Authorities with bike hire. Occasional road sections — check route details.

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K E Y

From railway to trailway...

The Castleman Trailway is one of Dorset's gentlest way-marked routes. This 16.5 mile (27.9 kilometres) trailway follows much of the old Southampton to Dorchester railway line. The trailway takes you through some of East Dorset's stunning landscape whilst also connecting a string of settlements between Ringwood and Poole.

As you travel along the trail you will pass some of the county's internationally important heathland, cross rivers and pass through forestry plantations. The trailway in particular links with three country parks in the: Avon Heath Country Park; Moors Valley Country Park; and Upton Country Park.

The Trailway is named after Charles Castleman, a Wimborne Solicitor, who was responsible for building the original railway line and the first to connect Dorset to the wider rail network.

Follow the Castleman Trailway Logo which is a green steam locomotive framed within a yellow footprint, which can be found at main entrances, on way marker posts and on street lamp posts. Within the Borough of Poole it is also identified as National Cycle Network Route 25.

There are bike shops in Wimborne, Ferndown, Longham, Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch. Bike hire is available in Moors Valley Country Park.

Onward routes:

There are several cycle trails at Moors Valley Country Park which you can link to from this trail.

How to get there:

The trail can be accessed from several points, including:

Ashley Twinning, just off the A31 near Ringwood

Avon Heath Country Park, also just off the A31 near Ringwood and linked to the Trailway by a cycle path

Moors Valley Country Park, between the A31 and B3072

Cannon Hill Plantation (Uddens Drive), just off the A31 near Wimbourne Minster

Upton Country Park, just off the A35 near Poole

There are also train stations in Bournemouth, Poole and Hamworthy (near Upton Country Park).

For more information about the Castleman Trailway, and detailed route maps to download, visit the

Dorset for You website.

About

We want you to have a great adventure in the South West of England.

Read on to find out how we can help you…

Bike wheels lined up The Trail Essentials guide gives you the important things to know before you head out on your bike. Please read and enjoy it. The Project promotes legal, sustainable and responsible riding only. The future development of off-road cycling in the south west is in your hands – treat it carefully and it will grow!

To have a truly enjoyable experience it is really important to match a cycling adventure with the skill, knowledge and fitness level of the people taking part - we can’t stress this enough! We provide you with information to use in deciding which adventures you will enjoy, and which you will leave for another day!

If you haven’t already, take a look at the Trail Grading guide on our website and see which one you feel you fit into. Then search the map which grades of trail we would recommend for your experience level.

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