Dorset Walks - Walking & Guided Walks in Dorset

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

Walking in Dorset gives you the chance to let loose and explore dramatic clifftops, peaceful country lanes, rolling hills and woodland trails.

Dorset walks are internationally renowned, whilst its coast and countryside boasts over 4,700 well-signed and waymarked footpaths, bridleways and byways to explore. 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 llama or 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: 69

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
42 reviews
Jurassic Coast Guides

Type

Type:

Walking Tour

We offer professional guided walks, tours and fossil hunts anywhere along the full length of the Jurassic Coast and surrounding areas. There is so much to be discovered within the World Heritage site. Not only is there 95 miles of breathtaking…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
282 reviews
Cumulus Outdoor Adventure

Type

Type:

Outdoor Activity/Pursuit Centre

Langton Matravers, SWANAGE

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.
Special Offers
- 1 in 5 goes free
  Take advantage of our late season adventure offer for your friends and family and make the most of the warmer sea temperatures in September and October!
  20% OFF COASTEERING ON THE STUNNING JURASSIC COAST IN DORSET – 1 in 5 GOES FREE!
  When you book for a group of 5 or more for your Coasteering adventure*
  *Offer open until 28th October 2018 for bookings received on or after 22nd September 2018. Activity to be booked for any time up until 28th October 2018.
  Minimum group size of five and subject to availability.
  See booking Terms & Conditions.
  More offers like this - Activity Offers
- NEAR SWANAGE
  Summer Offer! A Day at Dancing Ledge
  Coasteer & Climb adventure combo for your friends and family this summer!
  Bring a pack lunch and enjoy an awesome day Coasteering and Climbing/Abseiling at Dancing Ledge on the stunning Jurassic Coast, yours for just £65 per person when you book for a group of 5 or more.
  Coasteering
  We always have two Professional Coasteering guides in the water with Peterson tubes for your excitement and safety.
  The only provider with private parking, toilet and dedicated change facility Enjoy a fun-filled adventure with qualified experts Explore the coastline and caves from the sea A unique way to discover hidden coastal secrets Learn new skills and choose how high you jump! All levels of groups or families (min age 8)
  Climbing & Abseiling
  Scale new heights with our Cumulus Crew of climbing and abseiling instructors. We can either run a standard climb and abseil activity session or we can develop further and explain all the equipment, the safety rope systems and various techniques to develop your skills.
  Experience the stunning Jurassic coastline cliffs All safety equipment provided
  Offer open until 31st August 2018. Minimum group size of five and subject to availability.
  Quote promo code: ENEWS05
  Contact info@cumulusoutdoors.com or call 01929 555111
  More offers like this - Activity Offers
Price £22.00 to £100.00 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
68 reviews
Dorset Tours

Type

Type:

Guided Tour

Welcome to Dorset Tours! We are a Weymouth & Portland based Tour Company offering a range of high quality, small group guided sightseeing tours throughout the Jurassic Coast, Dorset, Hampshire and neighbouring counties.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
759 reviews
Land and Wave

Type

Type:

Adventure Sport Centre

SWANAGE

Climbing, Coasteering, Sea Kayaking, Bushcraft, Raft Building, Stand Up Paddle Boarding & more in Swanage and The Purbecks. Excellent instructors, top notch kit and passion for the Great Outdoors.

Price £25.00 to £137.00 Per Ticket
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.
UK Llamas

Type

Type:

Guided Tour

BEAMINSTER

Discover the Llama experience with an introduction to Llamas and Alpacas. They are gentle, easy to handle and great fun to be with.
Brenscombe Outdoor Centre

Type

Type:

Outdoor Activity/Pursuit Centre

CORFE CASTLE

Activities include: High ropes course, power boating, kayaking, climbing, mountain biking and so much more. The Centre is located in spectacular surroundings close to Corfe Castle and Poole Harbour. Experienced, qualified instructors provide…

Price £24.00 to £45.00 Activity
The Carter Company

Type

Type:

Cycling Tour

The Carter Company’s cycling, walking and touring holidays are a unique way to discover Dorset.
Designed with the discerning traveler in mind, our creative routes show you the hidden gems and local secrets as well as the highlights, and at the end…
Dream Adventures & Cycle Mechanic 2 U

Type

Type:

Cycling and Mountain Biking

WAREHAM

Guided rides - Cycle hire - Great Coffee - Mobile cycle mechanic and MIAS Leadership courses in Purbeck area of Dorset.

Price £5.00 to £25.00 Activity
Treasure Trails Dorset

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Weymouth

Explore Weymouth seafront with a self-guided Treasure Hunt themed walking Treasure Trail; a fun and imaginative way to explore Weymouth with the kids.
Sherborne Walks

Type

Type:

Walking Tour

Sherborne Walks offers professional guided walks and tours throughout Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset.
Based in Sherborne, we specialise in guiding around this historic town and the surrounding area, delving a little deeper into the stories,…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
25 reviews
Jurassic Jaunts

Type

Type:

Walking Tour

CORFE CASTLE

Tours, walks, talks and holiday planning services – the ONLY Total Jurassic Experience specialists.
Jurassic Coast Walking

Type

Type:

Walking Tour

Kingston, SWANAGE

We offer guided and self guided walking holidays on the magical Isle of Purbeck. Walks can be tailored to suit all ages and abilities and guided walks are led by a local author and photographer who has published a number of books.
Bride Valley Vineyard Tour and Tasting

Type

Type:

Walking Tour

Litton Cheney

Bride Valley, where the English countryside sparkles!
Bride Valley Vineyard is just a few miles from the Jurassic coast in the heart of Dorset’s breathtaking Bride Valley. We welcome visitors to come and experience our regular vineyard tours, meet…
Lyme Regis to Uplyme

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Lyme Regis

Enjoy a 1.5 mile / 2.4km walk along The River Lim Path from Lyme Regis to Uplyme. See the historical remnants of the mills that were at the centre of the 18th and 19th century wool and cloth industry in the Lim Valley.
Purbeck Way

Type

Type:

Walking Route

WAREHAM

Starting opposite Wareham Quay, walk along the banks of the River Frome to Corfe Castle. Then either walk south to Chapman's Pool or east to Ballard Down. The route is 15.5 miles in total.
Rodwell Trail

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Weymouth

From Weymouth to Portland, the Legacy Trail follows a disused passenger railway line, now a wonderfully, accessible wildlife corridor.
Downloadable Walks from Bus Stops: Swyre to West Bexington Circular

Type

Type:

Walking Route

West Bexington

Downloadable Walks from Bus Stops
Frome Valley Trail

Type

Type:

Walking Tour

EVERSHOT

Starting at Evershot, the second highest village in Dorset, the route meanders close to the River Frome. The route passes through Chilfrome, Maiden Newton, Bradford Peverell, Charminster and Dorchester. Along the way a wealth of wildlife can be seen.
Downloadable Walks from Bus Stops: Burton Bradstock East

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Burton Bradstock

Downloadable Walks from Bus Stops

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Jurassic Coast Guides

Coastal walks

Enjoy a walk along Sandbanks Beach

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Relax and unwind

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Walker friendly accommodation

It's not all about walking

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