For those who enjoy an active vacation, we have lots of suggestions in Dorset Council. Use our Travel Guide as a source of inspiration for planning your next adventure and browse through descriptions and route details of the most beautiful hikes.
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Maps and trails
The 10 most beautiful hikes in Dorset Council

Hiking Route
· United Kingdom
Shaftesbury Loop via Wessex Ridgeway
recommended route
Difficulty
moderate
15.8 km
5:00 h
190 m
190 m
From Shaftesbury, this circular walk takes you through the Nadder Valley and past the twin villages of Donhead St Mary and Donhead St Andrews.

Hiking Route
· United Kingdom
Durdle Door (259)
recommended route
Difficulty
moderate
6 km
1:26 h
260 m
262 m
Eine anstrengende Wanderung entlang der Klippen beim Durdle Door mit heftigen Anstiegen und herrlichen Aussichten.

Hiking Route
· United Kingdom
St Alban's Head
recommended route
Difficulty
moderate
8.9 km
2:26 h
124 m
124 m
From the pretty village of Worth Matravers in Dorset, a 6 mile walk following the South West Coast Path to St Alban's Head, also known as St Aldhelm's Head

Hiking Route
· United Kingdom
Tollard Royal to Shaftesbury
recommended route
Difficulty
moderate
14.1 km
5:00 h
258 m
145 m
After a short transfer, today's hike leads uphill onto the commanding ridgeline of Cranborne Chase before it descends into the Nadder Valley to return to Shaftesbury.

Hiking Route
· United Kingdom
West Lulworth, Bindon Hill, Lulworth Cove and Durgle Door Circular
recommended route
Difficulty
moderate
11.2 km
2:26 h
349 m
359 m
Don't be a sheep and follow everyone directly to Durgle Door, go left where everyone else goes right and walk over Bindon Hill to see Mupe Bay and then follow the South West Path across to Durgle Door. You will pass the Fossil Forest which is rather a intresting 10 minute stop.

Hiking Route
· United Kingdom
Coastal path Weymouth to Lulworth Cove 16th August 2021 at 09:53
recommended route
Difficulty
difficult
17.4 km
4:10 h
722 m
709 m
Lodmoor Country Park - Leisure Ranch - Sandworld - Sluice Gardens - Overcombe - Fantasy Island Fun Park - Dorset AONB - Osmington Mills - Ringstead - RAF Ringstead Radar defence - South Holworth - St Catherine by the Sea - Durdle Door - Man o' War Cove - Hambury Tout (Nipple Hill)

Hiking Route
· United Kingdom
Abbotsbury-West Bexington Circular
recommended route
Difficulty
moderate
12.2 km
3:20 h
249 m
248 m
This is a great circular scenic walk/hike in the Abbotsbury/West Bexington area of the Jurassic Coast, Dorset.

Hiking Route
· United Kingdom
West Bay-Bourton Radstock Circular
recommended route
Difficulty
moderate
7.5 km
2:20 h
185 m
185 m
This is a scenic circular route starting in West Bay Dorset

Hiking Route
· United Kingdom
Cerne Abbas to Minterne Magna Loop
recommended route
Difficulty
moderate
8.8 km
2:30 h
186 m
187 m
A route that will take you along two ridgeways, either side of the Cerne Valley. On route, you will see the world renowned Cerne Abbas Giant and follow the crystal clear waters of the River Cerne.
Half way into your walk and if you have time, you can spend an hour wandering around Minterne Magna House Gardens, which also has a small cafe.
At the end of the walk there are three wonderful pubs in Cerne Abbas for refreshments.

Hiking Route
· United Kingdom
Charmouth to Golden Cap Coastal Walk
recommended route
Difficulty
difficult
12.3 km
3:53 h
437 m
437 m
An invigorating walk from Charmouth Beach along the cliff tops , through St Gabriels and up Golden Cap, the highest point of the South Coast. Stunning views & delightful scenery.
We did this walk early May 2020
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1,131
Cerne Abbas to Minterne Magna Loop by Sarah and Billie
January 29, 2023
·
Community
An excellent walk with lots of views, landscape features, historic buildings, and the cerne Abbas giant.
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Shaftesbury Loop via Wessex Ridgeway by James
January 29, 2023
·
Community
Very enjoyable and varied.
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When did you do this route? January 28, 2023
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Stonebarrow to Golden Cap via St. Gabriels by Ken
January 03, 2023
·
Community
The route was easy to follow & there is good signposts too.
We did this route clockwise as we felt it would be less strenuous. It was very muddy from the bottom of the steep top section below Golen Cap to the footbridge. Most other areas weren't too bad.
There were lots of little birds in the woods. I think it will be nice to re-do it in the spring/early summer to see if there's plants associated with ancient woods.
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When did you do this route? January 02, 2023
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