Riding the Surrey Heaths

Running from Alton south to Petersfield, the Hangers are hidden pocket of dramatically wooded hills, typified by dense, ancient woodlands clinging to their improbably steep faces.

Topping out at around 260m, the Hangers reach almost the same altitude as the neighbouring South Downs, and pack an impressive choice of riding into their many folds. There is an impenetrable feel to the terrain; building development and even broadband struggle to get a foothold here, and major roads are forced to go around the long way, leaving just tiny, winding and undulating lanes to navigate the contours. And as soon as you leave the roads, the trails all seem to lurch up to impossible heights on relentless gradients, before shooting you down vertiginous singletracks at a brake-burning velocity. There’s a more rugged nature to the ground under those gnarly old yews too, which will give your technical muscles and reflexes a bit of a workout too. In short, it’s a brilliant and breath-taking place to ride!