Local Guide to the Best Walks in Dorset
The Swanage to Kingston Walk is a breathtaking 14.5 mile walk along the Jurassic Coast. Highlights include the picturesque seaside resort of Swanage, Durlston Country Park, Dancing Ledge, Seacombe and Winspit Quarries, St Aldhelms Head and its Norman Chapel, Chapman’s Pool, Houns Tout, Swyre Head and the charming village of Kingston.
Continue reading “Swanage to Kingston Walk (via Swyre Head)”
The Bournemouth Pier to Swanage Walk is a stunning 12.2 miles coastal walk along some of Britain’s best beaches. Highlights include Bournemouth Pier, Sandbanks Beach, Poole Harbour, Sandbanks Ferry, Shell Bay, Studland Beaches, Old Harry Rocks, Ballard Down and Swanage.
Continue reading “Bournemouth to Swanage Walk”
This is a medium 9.3 mile circular walk taking in some of the most picturesque locations on the Isle of Purbeck including Corfe Castle, Kimmeridge, Swyre Head and Kingston village. On a clear day you’ll get spectacular views as far as Bournemouth Bay, Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, Swanage Bay, Weymouth Bay and the Isle of Portland.
Continue reading “Corfe Castle to Kimmeridge, Swyre Head and Kingston Circular Walk”
The Abbotsbury walk described below is an easy 3.2 mile circular walk taking in the highlights of Abbotsbury Village as well and St Catherines Chapel and Chesil Beach. Returning from Chesil Beach the route takes you past the entrance to Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens which is worth a visit (Allow at least 1 hr 30 mins to explore the gardens, check website link above for prices). Even if you don’t want to visit the Gardens you can still access the coffee shop/restaurant and toilet facilities.
Continue reading “Abbotsbury to St Catherines Chapel and Chesil Beach Circular Walk”
The Highcliffe to Mudeford Quay Walk is an easy 2.9 mile one-way walk or 5.8 mile circular walk starting from the Cliff Top car park in Highcliffe. This walk can be done at any time of the year and easily combined with a ferry ride from Mudeford Quay across to Mudeford Sandbank and Hengistbury Head.
Distance: 2.9 miles (one-way) 5.8 miles (Circular)
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Date of walk: October 2022
This circular walk from the village of Worth Matravers follows a well made track downhill to the old stone quarry at Winspit. It then turns west to join the South West Coast Path walking along the exposed clifftops to reach St. Aldhelm’s Head with its small chapel and Coastguard Lookout Station.
Distance: 4.4 miles (circular walk)
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Ascent: 558ft, Highest point: 440ft
Great alternative to the Golden Cap walk. This circular coastal walk starts in the sleepy village of Seatown and has great views west towards Golden Cap, east towards West Bay (Bridport) and north to Colmer’s Hill.
Distance: 2.5 miles
Difficulty: easy to moderate
Estimated time: 1 hours 30 minutes,
Total ascent 653ft, Max elevation 486ft.
Golden Cap is the highest point in Dorset so you’ll get stunning views west along the Jurassic Coast towards Lyme Regis, east towards West Bay, Chesil Beach and the Isle of Portland and green rolling farmland to the north.
Distance: 4.1 miles
Difficulty: moderate
Estimated time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total ascent 1175ft, Max elevation 604ft.
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.