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Walking in Dorset

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Highlights

Want to feel the sun on your face, the wind in your hair and escape the hurly burly of modern life?

Dorset walks are internationally renowned and gives you the chance to explore rolling hills, peaceful country lanes, dramatic clifftops and woodland trails.

The county's coast and countryside boasts over 4,700 signposted footpaths, bridleways and byways to hike, ramble or stroll. These paths meander and intertwine across Dorset, linking photogenic villages, cosy pubs, lush meadows and rocky coves. Each turning leads to a new adventure…

Relax and unwind

Dorset walks offer an exceptional mix of awe inspiring coastline, ancient woodland, rolling chalk downlands and secluded river valleys making for a true rambler’s paradise and there are walks of all lengths, for all abilities. With just over half of the Dorset landscape designated as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) you're assured the perfect backdrop for your walk!

Tread in the footsteps of smugglers along one of the world’s most famous rambles, the South West Coast Path, and enjoy the views as you imaging the thrilling tale of smuggling and dastardly deeds made famous by the J. Meade Faulkner novel, Moonfleet.

For families, the Rodwell Trail is a lovely level walking route teeming with wildlife following the track bed of the old Weymouth to Portland Railway.

The Sika Trail is a popular 2 mile circular walk through Wareham Forest. Stroll through the pine trees and heathland and if you're lucky you might spot a Sika Deer which the trail is named after.

If you’re a seasoned walker and crave the challenge of a long distance hike, we have plenty of trails to satisfy your urge.

The Dorset section of the Wessex Ridgeway runs from Ashmore in the north, past ancient hill forts and the Cerne Abbas Giant on its winding way to the coast at Lyme Regis, and the Stour Valley Way follows the magnificent River Stour on its journey to Christchurch Harbour.

Guided Walks in Dorset

There are many opportunities to join guided Dorset walks and tours are available on a wide variety of themes.

Take a guided ghost tour and learn the dark secrets of Dorset’s towns as you tiptoe down narrow streets and alleyways. Find out if there’s a scheduled walk near you by contacting one of our Tourist Information Centres.

Explore somewhere new with a fun quiz element. Dorset Treasure Trails offer easy to follow routes with clues to crack as you take in the fascinating sights along the way.

Or, get acquainted with a friendly donkey and take them along with you as you wander coast and countryside. They will even carry your picnic!

Walker friendly accommodation

Now that we’ve convinced you that Dorset is one of the finest counties in England for walking and walking themed holidays, we should suggest to you to some places to stay.

Accommodation in Dorset is plentiful and varied. Click below to browse for your ideal place to stay:

Dorset also provides plenty of accommodation that is part of the Walkers Welcome Scheme. These properties offer walkers all the facilities you may require after a long walk in Dorset.

It's not all about walking

As Dorset is such a fantastic destination for any time of year with a great range of walker-friendly accommodation to choose from, we thought it would be a good idea to tell you a little more about what Dorset has to offer!

If you head on over to our things to do, whats on, places to visit and food and drink pages, you will be able to find out more information on the following:

Last but not least, on your walking travels, why not drop by to the famous filming location of ITV's smash-hit crime series 'Broadchurch' and see for yourself why its amazing landscape and stunning views played such an integral part in the TV series.

Number of results:

Number of results: 66

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
329 reviews
Cumulus Outdoor Adventure

Type

Type:

Outdoor Activity/Pursuit Centre

SWANAGE
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
Activities include: Coasteering, Kayaking, Climbing & Abseiling and Bushcraft amongst other things, plus outdoor corporate events, fun days and team building for business plus school and youth residential programmes and activity days.
Price £22.00 to £100.00 Per Ticket
Purbeck Park

Type

Type:

Activity Centre

Near Corfe Castle, WAREHAM

Located in the centre of the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, Purbeck Park is a must visit location! Start here to explore nearby attractions and the coast by steam train, bike, bus or on foot.

Price Free to £5.00 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
154 reviews
Jurassic Coast Guides

Type

Type:

Walking Tour
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
- AA Awards AA COVID Confident Scheme 2020
Martin is now running private fossil walks (6 people max). There will be strict social distancing measures in place. Martin offers professional guided walks, tours and fossil hunts anywhere along the full length of the Jurassic Coast and surrounding…
The Carter Company - Gentle Cycling Holidays

Type

Type:

Cycling Tour

The Carter Company’s gentle self-guided cycling holidays are a unique way to discover Dorset.
Get away from the crowds with our creative itineraries that take you along charming back roads and quiet paths; through forests and woods; countryside and…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
80 reviews
Sherborne Walks

Type

Type:

Walking Tour
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
Sherborne Walks have re-started their guided walking tours for visitors with pre-booking and a maximum of 5 places available per tour. Cindy Chant will lead our historic town tour every Friday morning, starting 10.30 a.m. Meet outside the Tourist…
WALX Dorset

Type

Type:

Outdoor Activity/Pursuit Centre

SWANAGE

Walking (and Nordic Walking) is great fun and our team will not only ensure that you reach your health/fitness goals but that you have a great time doing it!
Donkey Walking Adventures

Type

Type:

Walking Tour

BEAMINSTER

Relax and enjoy an unforgettable day spent leading an affectionate donkey while exploring the Brit Valley and TV River Cottage Site. Picnic or pub lunch en route.
Weymouth Walk - Sutton Poyntz - Osmington - Bowleaze - Weymouth

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Weymouth

Catch the 4B bus at the Kings Statue to Sutton Poyntz (Approx. every hour, please check www.traveline.org.uk for full details). The journey takes approximately 15 minutes.
The walk starts by the duck pond in the village. Continue along Sutton…
Weymouth Walk - Abbotsbury - Langton Herring- Littlesea- Ferrybridge

Type

Type:

Walking

Weymouth

From King's Statue on Weymouth Esplanade, catch the X53 to Abbotsbury (Approx. every 2 hours, please check www. traveline.org.uk for full details). The journey to Abbotsbury square will take approximately a ½ hour.
On arriving in Abbotsbury,…
Great Wessex Way

Type

Type:

Walking Route

An exploration of the unspoilt and spectacular Wessex countryside that passes through two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Cranborne Chase and Dorset.
Downloadable Walks from Bus Stops: Portesham to Abbotsbury - Portesham Withy Beds

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Portesham

Downloadable Walks from Bus Stops
Lawrence of Arabia Trail

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Bovington, WAREHAM

The 7 mile trail starts and finishes at Bovington’s Tank Museum taking in Lawrence’s home at Clouds Hill and his last resting place: the cemetery at Moreton.
Weymouth Walk - Ferrybridge - Sandsfoot - Rodwell

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Weymouth

Catch the 501 service (summer only) or the X10 (Mon-Fri) from the Kings Statue, or the number 1 service from behind Debenhams at any time of year. The journey takes approx. 20 minutes to Ferrybridge. Visit www.traveline.org.uk for bus times.
As…
Purbeck Way West Route

Type

Type:

Walking Route

WEST LULWORTH

Starting at West Lulworth, this 12 mile walking route heads north west to Winfrith Newburgh, east to Coombe Keynes and then either south back towards the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site or north east to East Stoke. You can then take a bus to…
Wareham Town Walls Walk

Type

Type:

Walking Route

WAREHAM

Wareham Town Walls originally built in Saxon times to defend the town from the Vikings, now form a delightful short walk around the town.
Weymouth Walk - Church Ope- Portland Bill- Tout Quarry

Type

Type:

Walking

Portland

Catch the Portland Bill 501 bus (Summer only) or the X10 bus (Mon-Fri) from the Kings statue or the Number 1 service from behind Debenhams. Please check www.traveline.org.uk for more details.
The bus will drop you just outside The Heights Hotel.…
The Ancient Trails Company

Type

Type:

Guided Tour
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
We offer a walking holiday and day experiences like no other – we meet, we pack up the ponies, we walk, we camp wild(ish). We also ‘wild glamp’. And now you can too.
Ancient Trails has evolved from our love of where we live- Dorset - this land,…
Downloadable Walks from Bus Stops: West Bay to Bridport

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Downloadable Walks from Bus Stops: West Bay to Bridport
Downloadable Walks from Bus Stops: Burton Bradstock East

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Burton Bradstock

Downloadable Walks from Bus Stops
Sturminster Marshall Walk

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Wimborne

Circular, moderately difficult walk of just under 8 miles taking in the pretty village of Sturminster Marshall, the old Dorset and Somerset Railway line and a section of the Stour Valley Way.

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Walking in Dorset

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Highlights

Relax and unwind

Guided Walks in Dorset

Walker friendly accommodation

It's not all about walking

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