Local Guide to the Best Walks in Dorset
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.
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
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
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