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?

Walks in Dorset give 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…

Unplug from the daily rush

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.

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

Now that you have seen how good Dorset really is for walkers and the 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.

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Number of results: 62

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
211 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 programmes and activities.
Special 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
6 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...
The Carter Company

Type

Type:

Cycling Tour

Our cycling & walking holidays are a unique way to discover Dorset.
Designed with the thoughtful traveller in mind, our creative routes aim to show you the hidden gems of Dorset, not just the highlights. Pedal through countryside and the...
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.
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.
Dream Adventures & Cycle Mechanic 2 U

Type

Type:

Cycling and Mountain Biking

WAREHAM

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

Price £5.00 to £25.00 Activity
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 £9.00 to £21.00 Activity
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
22 reviews
Jurassic Jaunts

Type

Type:

Walking Tour

CORFE CASTLE

Tours, walks, talks and holiday planning services – the ONLY Total Jurassic Experience specialists.
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.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
648 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
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.
Downloadable Walks from Bus Stops: Burton Bradstock East

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Burton Bradstock

Downloadable Walks from Bus Stops
Weymouth Walk - Portland Bill Lighthouse Walk

Type

Type:

Walking

Portland

From the Kings Statue, catch the 501 service (Summer only). Services to Portland Bill take approx. 40 minutes.
The bus will drop you at the northern end of the car park at Portland Bill. Leaving the first lighthouse behind you, join the South...
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.
Downloadable Walks from Bus Stops: Chickerell Fleet Lagoon Circular

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Chickerell

Downloadable Walks from Bus Stops
West Dorset Walks - Thomas Hardy's Cottage

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Dorchester

Set in the beautiful Thorncombe woods, now a nature reserve, Hardy’s home and birthplace lies in a quiet and remote position. It is an easy walk from Dorchester visiting Stinsford and its church, the resting home of his heart and his two wives. Much...
Wessex Ridgeway

Type

Type:

Walking Route

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.
Wareham Two Rivers Walks

Type

Type:

Walking Route

WAREHAM

A network of signposted footpaths around Purbeck's internationally important wetlands, seen at their best from autumn to spring.
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...
Downloadable Walks from Bus Stops: Abbotsbury Walks

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Abbotsbury

Downloadable Walks from Bus Stops

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Enjoy a morning walk with your four legged friends

Enjoy a walk along Sandbanks Beach

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