This is one of our favourite long walking routes in Dorset. At 14.4 miles you’ll need a full day for this one: it takes us six hours including a stop for lunch. But it’s worth it – this is such a beautiful route across the local big ridges, starting at Rawlsbury Camp.
The paths are clearly signed, the views are hige and endless … but expect tired legs by the end. You have to earn those views, there is a LOT of Dorset hill to climb!
Ancient forests, drovers tracks, the Dorsetshire Gap, minimal roads … it’s just a Dorset dream of a walk. One word of warning – a couple of spots will be very muddy after bad weather, so really good boots a must.
Setting off around the side of Rawlsbury Camp, we were set for a pretty wet day.
Following one of the main ancient holloways through the Dorsetshire Gap forest. Spot Courtenay and you will gain the perspective of the trees.
A rare spot of sunshine as we look out across Lyscombe Bottom.
The ancient Green lane to Gallows Corner.
A favourite pause where the bridleways cross on the ridge of Lyscombe Hill.
Wet (very) again on the aproach to Milton Abbey school.
Walked this route yesterday with a friend & we absolutely loved it, although I now realise we did it backwards!
Fabulous views, pretty valleys & we hardly saw a soul all day – it was perfect. We used our OS map rather than the app &, although we made a couple of little errors, it was easy to follow & all paths were clear & accessible & mostly well-marked.
There is a small section of stream to walk along. It is marked on the map as a ford. We managed to mostly walk on the bank & avoid the deeper bits, as I think it would have come over the top of my walking boots. We found it fun, as we like to have little challenges along the way, so absolutely not a problem. However, it would be worth noting if you are planning to walk in the winter, as I imagine it might be more exciting!
This was a really rewarding ‘proper’ walk with some decent climbs & some amazing views over the glorious Dorset countryside & is definitely one I will do again.