Local Guide to the Best Walks in Dorset
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
Hambledon Hill rises steeply to 190 metres above the Blackmore Vale and the river Stour below. It is located close to the village of Child Okeford, 6 miles north-west of Blandford Forum. Hambledon Hill is one of the best preserved and most notable Iron Age hill forts in Great Britain.
Distance: 2.7 miles (Circular walk)
Difficulty: moderate
Estimated time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Total ascent: 437ft, Max elevation 619ft
Walk date: June 2020