Castleman Trailway

I ride the Castleman Trailway regularly, here is the history and detail:

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.

Whether you are using the route for recreation or commuting to work, the Castleman Trailway offers a beautiful and practical route to take you where you want to go. 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. The Southampton to Dorchester to railway line was nicknamed the Castleman Corkscrew, after its founder and the meandering route it took. It was closed by Dr. Beeching in 1964; however, it had been a secondary route once a coastal main line had been established between Christchurch, Bournemouth, and Poole. The Trailway is managed in partnership by Dorset Countryside, Borough of Poole and Hampshire County Council with the support from other organisations.

Maps for the individual parts can be clicked on, viewed and printed from the links below

• Broadstone to Upton Country Park: http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp?mediaid=132051&filetype=pdf
• Merley to Broadstone: http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp?mediaid=132050&filetype=pdf
• River Stour to Broadstone: http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp?mediaid=132049&filetype=pdf
• Stapehill to River Stour: http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp?mediaid=132048&filetype=pdf
• Ameysford to Stapehill: http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp?mediaid=132047&filetype=pdf
• West Moors to Ameysford: http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp?mediaid=132046&filetype=pdf
• Ashley Heath to West Moors: http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp?mediaid=132045&filetype=pdf
• Ringwood to Ashley Heath: http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp?mediaid=132044&filetype=pdf

I can't recommend this route highly enough, flat, safe and ideal for beginners or families