Our Favourite Cycling Routes Around Pangbourne

Pangbourne Village Sign – The Alehouse Loop

Distance: 14.6 miles | Time: 1 hour 25 minutes | Difficulty: Easy

The Pangbourne Village Sign – The Alehouse Loop is a fantastic route for those looking for a leisurely ride with a mix of history, riverside scenery, and great café stops. Starting from Pangbourne train station, the route first takes you past the ornate Pangbourne Village Sign, which pays tribute to the village’s history and its connection to The Wind in the Willows.

From there, the route crosses the Thames via Whitchurch Bridge, a historic Grade II-listed toll bridge that has stood in some form since 1792. With no toll for cyclists, it’s a perfect place to pause and take in the river views before continuing the ride.

Halfway through the ride, you can stop at The Garden Café, a lovely spot with bike parking available, or visit Reading Bike Kitchen, a community cycling charity offering bike maintenance and spare parts. The route finishes at The Alehouse, a fantastic real ale pub in Reading, before looping back to Pangbourne.

With quiet roads, scenic river crossings, and plenty of interesting stops along the way, this is an enjoyable and easy-going route for all cyclists.

Ipsden Wood – High Street Climb Loop

Distance: 20.0 miles | Time: 2 hours | Difficulty: Intermediate

The Ipsden Wood – High Street Climb Loop is a rewarding ride through beautiful woodland, quiet country lanes, and picturesque villages. Starting from Pangbourne, the route begins with a gentle warm-up before passing the Pangbourne Village Sign, a historical landmark celebrating the area's connection to The Wind in the Willows.

As you ride out of Pangbourne, keep an eye out for the fluffy residents of Bozedown Alpaca Farm before reaching the charming village of Kidmore End, home to the historic St John the Baptist church. The route then winds through Ipsden Wood, where the towering trees provide welcome shade in the summer and a burst of bluebells in the spring.

One of the route’s biggest challenges comes towards the end: the High Street Climb. This steep ascent starts at around 6-7% before ramping up to a lung-busting 16% gradient, making it a proper test for your legs. Once over the top, the final stretch of the ride includes a scenic crossing of Whitchurch Bridge before rolling back into Pangbourne.

With a great mix of woodland, quiet lanes, and a tough climb to finish, this is an excellent route for cyclists looking for an intermediate ride with a bit of everything.

Ewelme Village – Quiet Country Lanes Loop

Distance: 68.3 miles | Time: 6 hours 43 minutes | Difficulty: Expert

The Ewelme Village – Quiet Country Lanes Loop is a challenging but rewarding long-distance ride through the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, combining steep climbs, fast descents, and quiet countryside roads. This expert-level route is perfect for cyclists looking to push their endurance and take in some breathtaking scenery along the way.

Starting from Tilehurst, the route heads towards Pangbourne, crossing the Thames via Whitchurch Bridge before tackling the High Street Climb—a steep ascent that reaches up to 16% gradient. From here, the ride continues to Goring-on-Thames, a charming village nestled along the river, before heading into open countryside.

One of the highlights of the ride is the climb out of Ewelme, a picturesque village filled with medieval buildings and a historic almshouse dating back to the 15th century. The Day’s Lane Climb leads onto the Ridgeway, offering vast panoramic views of the landscape below.

The final stretch of the ride winds through quiet country lanes between Sonning Common and Woodcote, providing a peaceful ride back towards Pangbourne. With its blend of stunning countryside, steep hill climbs, and long stretches of open road, this is a fantastic route for experienced cyclists looking for a serious day in the saddle.

West Ilsley Rolling Roads – Combe Gibbet Hill Loop

Distance: 71.8 miles | Time: 7 hours 12 minutes | Difficulty: Expert

The West Ilsley Rolling Roads – Combe Gibbet Hill Loop is a long, demanding ride that takes cyclists through rolling countryside, past historic landmarks, and up some of the region’s most challenging climbs. This is the ultimate endurance test for those looking to tackle one of the most scenic yet strenuous routes from Pangbourne.

The ride begins in Pangbourne, passing the Pangbourne Village Sign, which celebrates the area's history and connection to The Wind in the Willows. From here, the route heads west, rolling through quiet lanes before reaching the beautifully smooth West Ilsley rolling roads, a stunning stretch of countryside known for its flowing hills and panoramic views.

One of the major highlights is the climb up Combe Gibbet Hill, ranked #25 in the 100 Greatest Climbs. This challenging ascent rewards riders with breathtaking views across the North Wessex Downs. After reaching the top, the route continues past Sandpits Down, a peaceful ridge with sweeping views of the landscape below.

The latter part of the ride takes in Greenham Common, a former military airbase now home to protected wildlife, followed by the Crookham Common gravel blast, a traffic-free stretch with excellent scenery. The final leg of the route crosses Whitchurch Bridge, offering one last scenic Thames crossing before rolling back into Pangbourne.

With its blend of fast-paced road sections, tough climbs, and beautiful rural landscapes, this route is perfect for experienced riders looking for a serious challenge in Berkshire and the North Wessex Downs.

Pangbourne Village Sign – St Laurence’s Church Loop

Distance: 15.7 miles | Time: 1 hour 28 minutes | Difficulty: Easy

The Pangbourne Village Sign – St Laurence’s Church Loop is a gentle and scenic route that offers a mix of historic sites, countryside roads, and a peaceful Thames crossing. Perfect for a relaxed ride, this route is ideal for all fitness levels.

Starting in Pangbourne, the ride begins at the Pangbourne Village Sign, a beautifully crafted landmark that celebrates the area's rich history and literary ties to *The Wind in the Willows*. The route then winds through quiet country roads towards St Laurence’s Church, a stunning 12th-century Grade I listed building in the village of Tidmarsh. The church has been a key part of the local community for nearly a thousand years.

As the ride loops back towards Pangbourne, cyclists cross the historic Whitchurch Bridge, a Grade II listed toll bridge that spans the River Thames, connecting Berkshire with Oxfordshire. Before finishing, riders can take a well-earned break at The Garden Café, a cyclist-friendly spot with bike parking and great refreshments.

With a blend of history, countryside charm, and a relaxed pace, this easy route is a fantastic way to explore the Pangbourne area while enjoying a leisurely ride.

Grimsbury Castle Fort – Bucklebury Quiet Lane Loop

Distance: 34.3 miles | Time: 3 hours 28 minutes | Difficulty: Expert

The Grimsbury Castle Fort – Bucklebury Quiet Lane Loop is a challenging yet rewarding ride through West Berkshire’s scenic countryside, featuring historic landmarks, peaceful lanes, and picturesque villages. This expert-level route is ideal for cyclists looking for a long-distance ride with a mix of climbs and quiet backroads.

Starting from Theale, the route winds through rolling landscapes before reaching Hampstead Norreys Community Shop & Café, a fantastic mid-ride stop for coffee, homemade cakes, and cycling-friendly refreshments. From here, riders continue towards Grimsbury Castle Fort, the site of an Iron Age hillfort, offering a glimpse into the area's ancient past.

One of the unique features of this route is the footbridge between Brocks Lane and Marlston Road, followed shortly after by a ford crossing, which can be 1.5ft deep in wet weather—thankfully, a pedestrian bridge provides an alternative option.

The final stretch leads through Bucklebury Quiet Lane, a peaceful section of road designated for non-motorists, making it a cyclist’s dream. This traffic-free stretch is the perfect way to wind down before returning to Theale to complete the loop.

With its combination of history, countryside beauty, and well-maintained roads, this ride is an excellent choice for experienced cyclists looking to explore the hidden gems of Berkshire.

Discover More Cycling Routes

If you’re looking to explore more of Pangbourne’s scenic countryside and historic routes on two wheels, why not check out the National Trust and local cycling networks for a range of cycling trails? Whether you’re interested in a leisurely ride along the Thames, tackling the rolling hills of the Chilterns, or taking on the quiet country lanes towards Goring and Streatley, there’s a route for every ability. The surrounding area is home to stunning riverside paths, picturesque villages, and historic landmarks, making it the perfect destination for a cycling adventure in Berkshire and Oxfordshire.

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