Marlborough-Avebury cycle route: NCN 403 and 45

Scenic, off-road National Cycle Network routes provide pleasant riding between Marlborough and Avebury, crossing The Ridgeway near the end of the Trail at Overton Hill. NCN 403 connects Marlborough to The Ridgeway, following the River Kennet before turning at Clatford to go into the downs via Fyfield Down National Nature Reserve with its unique landscape of scattered sarsens. NCN 45 connects The Ridgeway to Avebury along the old Herepath, with Overton Hill just 3km to the south along The Ridgeway.

Another option between Marlborough and The Ridgeway is to use only part of NCN 403 and, rather than head into the downs, take the rural roads along the river between Clatford and East Kennet, passing through attractive historic villages such as Lockeridge. From East Kennet there is a byway to The Ridgeway at Overton Hill. This route avoids Fyfield Down where there are often grazing cattle and avoids the ascent/descent from the river into the downland.

Follow NCN signage along these routes. The route beside the River Kennet is largely flat but there is obviously an ascent/descent between the river and the downland. Off-road surfaces are not smooth and the exposed chalk along NCN 45 between Avebury and The Ridgeway can be slippery in wet conditions. Visit the Sustrans website for more details about the National Cycle Network.

There are car parks along this route in Marlborough, Manton Down, Overton Hill and Avebury.