Accommodation in Dorset
Things To Do in Dorset
Places To Eat & Drink in Dorset
Explore & Discover Dorset
Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours.
To build your own Itinerary, click to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
You are here: Things To Do > Active and Outdoor > Walking
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…
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.
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!
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.
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: 66
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Outdoor Activity/Pursuit Centre
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.
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.
Walking Tour
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…
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…
Walking Tour
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…
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!
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.
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…
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,…
Walking Route
An exploration of the unspoilt and spectacular Wessex countryside that passes through two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Cranborne Chase and Dorset.
Walking Route
Portesham
Downloadable Walks from Bus Stops
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.
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…
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…
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.
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.…
Guided Tour
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,…
Walking Route
Downloadable Walks from Bus Stops: West Bay to Bridport
Walking Route
Burton Bradstock
Downloadable Walks from Bus Stops
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.
Copyright 2021 Visit Dorset. All Rights Reserved.