A 151.3km road cycling route from Clapham Old Town through Ashdown Forest in East Sussex, based on the Hell of the Ashdown sportive, with 2,350m of climbing.
- Distance
- 151.3 km
- Elevation
- 2,350 m
- Terrain
- Challenging Climbing, Steep Ramps
- Type
- Road loop
Start and finish: Gail’s Café, Clapham Old Town
On the route
The Ashdown Forest Loop is a long day in the saddle racking up well over 2,000 metres of climbing. It is based on the Hell of the Ashdown sportive but with legs to and from London. It’s a highly varied route with some deep forest riding through Ashdown Forest and Five Hundred Acre Wood in East Sussex, but also some high ridges.
It heads out through Westerham and Hever to reach the forest, and returns via Hartfield and Penshurst. Coolings Garden Centre, Wych Cross, at 76km, and The Tulip Tree, Chiddingstone, at 106km, are the suggested stops.
Notable climbs
- The Beddlestead: 3.1km at 4% average.
- Brasted Chart: 2.9km at 5.5% average.
- Climb up Uckfield Lane: 2.6km at 3.6% average.
- Climb up Priory Road: 4.2km at 3% average.
- Twyford Lane: 3.4km at 3.6% average.
- Kidd’s Hill: 1.5km at 9.8% average.
- Ide Hill: 1.6km at 6.4% average.
- Steep ramps: 125m at 10.3% average (c. 58km), 775m at 10% average (c. 122km), and 350m at 10.1% average (c. 127km).
Strava Verified Segment: length and average gradient come from the segment.
Start, Finish and Cafe Stops
- Gail’s Café, Clapham Old Town start and finish
- Coolings Garden Centre, Wych Cross 76 km
- The Tulip Tree, Chiddingstone 106 km
Route map and GPX
To download the GPX or TCX file, open the route on Strava with View on Strava below the map, choose the three dots menu, then Export GPX or Export TCX. A free Strava account is needed. Route checked against Strava on 20 October 2026.