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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…
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!
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…
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.
Downloadable Walks from Bus Stops: Chickerell Fleet Lagoon Circular

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Chickerell

Downloadable Walks from Bus Stops
Dorset Ramblers

Type

Type:

Walking

On almost every Sunday of the year, we organise a group walk somewhere in Dorset. Distances vary between 4 and 12 miles, see the walks page for details of our current programme. A lunch stop at a pub is normally included.
Click here to find a…
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.
Convent Walk

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Christchurch, CHRISTCHURCH

The Convent Walk is a tranquil walk that follows the course of Mill Stream, as it runs parallel to the River Avon, from Town Bridge to Place Mill on Christchurch Quay.
Bride Valley Vineyard Tour and Tasting

Type

Type:

Walking Tour

LITTON CHENEY
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
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.
Commoners' Ways

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Kingston, CORFE CASTLE

A stunning circular walk which starts and finishes in Kingston and is approx 5.5 miles in distance.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
26 reviews
Jurassic Jaunts

Type

Type:

Walking Tour

CORFE CASTLE

Tours, walks, talks and holiday planning services – the ONLY Total Jurassic Experience specialists.
South Dorset Ridgeway

Type

Type:

Walking Route

WEST BEXINGTON

Part of the South West Coast Path National Trail, the 17 mile South Dorset Ridgeway walk begins at West Bexington and passes through the ceremonial landscape of South Dorset, finishing at Osmington Mills.
You will be following in the footsteps of…
Wessex Ridgeway

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Ashmore

The Wessex Ridgeway Trail is a magnificent ridge-top route crossing Dorset's rural heartland. The trail offers vistas across the county and breathtaking views far beyond.
Downloadable Walks from Bus Stops: Portesham to Abbotsbury - Portesham Withy Beds

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Portesham

Downloadable Walks from Bus Stops
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.
Swanage Seen Art Trail

Type

Type:

Walking Route

SWANAGE

Swanage has a rich cultural heritage: the beauty of the unique coastline and town have drawn artists of international stature to paint here, including Walter Field, Charles Conder, Paul Nash, Mark Gertler, Augustus John and Graham Sutherland…

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Walking in Dorset

Accommodation

Things To Do

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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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