Dorset Walks

Dorset has almost 3,000 miles of rights-of-way which provide stunning walking areas, much of which is well way-marked and signposted. By way of improving this vast network, Dorset County Council embarked on an ambitious refurbishment programme and produced 4,000 new signposts, 1,500 stiles and gates, either repaired or installed and many miles of paths cleared of obstructions. The coastal environment provides plenty of scope for superb walking and though much of it fairly strenuous, just inland there is a great stretch of quiet countryside, rolling chalk downs and ancient track ways, where, even at the height of summer, miles can be walked in complete solitude.

The South West Coast path provides the longest continuous coastal path in the UK, the route running from Poole, westwards, to Cornwall and on to Weston-Super-Mare. The Dorset section running from Poole to Lyme Regis is a distance of just over 70 miles. The path conveniently follows the Jurassic Coast offering spectacular views of renowned locations such as Kimmeridge Bay, Lulworth Cove, the Isle of Portland, Chesil Beach, Charmouth and Lyme Regis. Walking this particular section of coast-line would be of special significance for those whose interests lay in geology and coastal morphology.

Although three times longer and a far more arduous trail, The Hardy Way follows the places and locations mentioned in the works of Thomas Hardy. The walking route begins at his birthplace at Higher Bockhampton near Dorchester, however, there is an extensive coastal section from Bridport, (Port Bredy) to Portland, (The Isle of Slingers), Weymouth, (Budmouth Regis) and on to Osmington Mills, near to Hardy's Smugglers Inn where the walking trail finally turns inland. For those that are familiar with Hardy's work it is quite possible to identify many of the buildings and locations described in his books.

A circular walking trail centred in Abbotsbury, taking in part of the inland coastal path is roughly 10 miles. The original coastal path proceeds through heavily built up areas around Weymouth, however, there is an alternative inland section running from West Bexington in the west to Osmington Mills, which is some 4 miles east of Weymouth. Much of this route runs along the Ridgeway offering splendid views both inland and seaward. Nearing the end of the walk just past the Abbotsbury car-park, the road turns inland, where, after approximately half a mile are the Sub-Tropical Gardens, famous for some of the most extensive gunnera plantings in England.

A walk worthy of mention is 'The Purbeck Way' a trail which begins on the River Frome at Wareham, running south-east until it reaches the coast at Studland and Old Harry Rocks, then turning Westwards, through Swanage and on to Lulworth Cove or, if preferred, back to Wareham via Corfe Castle.