Local Guide to the Best Walks in Dorset
Swyre Head is the highest point of the Purbeck Hills. The hill commands extensive views of Dorset’s Jurassic Coast including St. Aldhelm’s Head and Chapmans Pool to the east and Clavell Tower, Kimmeridge and as far as the Isle of Portland and Weymouth Bay to the west. To the north you can see Corfe Castle and Poole Harbour.
Distance: 2 miles,
Difficulty: easy,
Estimated time: 1 hours 10 minutes
Total ascent 214ft, Max elevation 671ft
This is one of the longer Cranborne Estate walks starting in the picturesque village of Cranborne and taking you through water meadows, rolling farmland and forest.
Distance: 4.8 miles
Difficulty: easy
Estimated time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Total ascent 210ft, Max elevation 351ft.
This circular walk starts at Southbourne beach and follows the beach all the way along to the beach huts at Mudeford Sandbank before returning back over the top of Hengistbury Head.
Distance: 4.2 miles
Difficulty: moderate (mostly level but made more difficult by walking on sand),
Estimated time: 2 hours 30 mins
Total ascent: 128ft, Max elevation: 131ft
This is one of my favourite walks in the Worth Matravers area and a great choice for first-time visitors to the Purbeck region. The walk starts off with an easy stroll across farmland and down a sheltered valley to the abandoned stone cliff quarry at Seacombe. The path follows the coastal cliff tops west to another disused quarry at Winspit before retuning for the slow hike back to Worth Matravers along a surfaced track. Did I forgot to mention that there’s a very good pub in the village 🙂
Distance: 2.9 miles (circular walk)
Difficulty: easy (uneven ground, some uphill sections)
Estimated time: 1 hours 45 minutes
Total ascent 436ft, Highest Point 433ft
Badbury Rings is an impressive Iron Age hill fort that has three rings of ramparts and ditches. From May to July you’ll find yourself surrounded by fields of wild flowers as well as butterflies and birds.
Distance: 1.2 mile (circular walk)
Difficulty: very easy
Estimated time: 30 minutes
Total ascent 49ft, Max elevation 280ft
Stanpit Marsh is a local Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest on the north side of Christchurch Harbour just below where the River Avon and River Stour meet. This walk takes you through salt marsh and freshwater marsh with reed beds absolutely teeming with wildflowers, butterflies and birds. The marsh is also home to semi-wild New Forest ponies that graze on the grassland.
Distance:Â 1.6 miles
Difficulty:Â easy,
Estimated time:Â 45 minutes
Total ascent 7ft, Highest point 13ft
The Worth Matravers to St Aldhelm’s Head and Chapman’s Pool walk is a stunning mix of countryside and coastal views.
Distance: 2.9 miles (Circular walk)
Difficulty: Medium (steep steps descent and ascent at Emmetts Hill)
Estimated time: 1 hour 30 mins
Total ascent 394ft, Highest point 427ft
Date of walk: June 2020
Dorset’s largest hill fort and home to a wide variety of wild flowers, birds and butterflies. The fort sits at 143 m (469 ft) above sea level and commands wide ranging views over rural Dorset and the meandering River Stour below.
Distance: 1.5 miles
Difficulty: easy (uneven ground and uphill sections)
Estimated time: 1 hour
Date of Walk: June 2020
Photos of the Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door Walk taken back in June 2014.
For more recent photos and route description see blog post Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door Walk 2020
Distance: 2.1 miles
Difficulty: easy
Estimated time: 1 hour 30 minutes,
Total ascent 653ft, Highest point 406ft
Date of Trek: June 2014
The Studland to Old Harry Rocks walk is an easy circular walk starting at Studland village and following the chalky coastal cliffs along to Old Harry Rocks and then on to Ballard Point. The walk offers great views of Studland Bay and its sandy beaches backed by dunes. The last half of the walk takes you up onto Ballard Down and the Purbeck Way. From here you can see the town of Swanage to the south and Poole Harbour and Brownsea Island to the north.
Distance: 4 miles (circular)
Difficulty: easy
Estimated time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total ascent 965ft, Highest point 446ft
Date of walk: June 2020