If you’re looking for Dorset walks that don’t require a full day’s planning, specialist gear or a packed itinerary, the less-well-known North Dorset area is a good place to start.
This is walking country in the most straightforward sense – ancient hillforts, open fields, rivers, old sunken tracks between villages and views that reward you. Over the years, we’ve covered plenty of Dorset walking routes, but these are the ones we find ourselves returning to again and again. Just pick a direction and go:
1. Easygoing Okeford Hill quietly special circular | 5.8 miles
This is a frequent visit for us – there are plenty of options and you can simply circle the hiltop for a short afternoon stroll, or dive deeper into Blandford Forest as the full route takes you: the main paths on Okeford Hill get very busy on a weekend afternoon, but this easy circular route soon leaves them behind to explore the quietly peaceful and ancient parts of the forest.
It’s mostly flat, easy to pathfind and ideal for families, with plenty of space for dogs and children to let off steam. In winter it can be muddy, but that’s part of the charm.
See the full Okeford Hill route here
2. Hambledon Hill | 3.2 miles
For something more dramatic, Hambledon Hill delivers one of the best views in Dorset. The climb is admittedly lungbustingly steep, but once you’re on top, the pay off is worth every gasp.
This is one of those Dorset walks that feels bigger than it is: it’s spectacular at any time of day, and in any weather. But a summer sunrise or sunset are particularly worth experiencing from the top.
See the easy Hambledon Hill route here
3. Dorsetshire Gap – the finest views in North Dorset? | 6.2 miles
Enjoy big views with ever-wide skies as you complete the circle.
Starting from Lower Ansty (there’s easy parking in the village) there’s a few simple climbs to enjoy the best of Hog Hill looking out over the Dorset Wildlife Trust’s new wildlife reserve at Lyscombe Bottom and then down via the Dorsetshire Gap ridge.
It’s a spectacular walk, and endlessly repeatable — just the best kind of Dorset Walk. See this Dorsetshire Gap walk here
4. Dorset Bluebell walk | 8.7 miles
At any time of year this is a good walk, but when the bluebells are in bloom? It’s unbeatable.
Parking is simple in Winterborne Stickland – there’s plenty of roadside parking in the village, but do be considerate to residents. The route itself is very easy to follow, with a few sharp hills, but nothing too long or too arduous. It is also endlessly adaptable – the woods are criss-crossed with tracks, and it’s a simple matter of choosing a different path if you want a different length route.
See the full Dorset bluebells walk here
5. Bulbarrow Peaks Circular with magnificent Blackmore Vale Views | 14.4 miles
This is one of our favourite long walking routes in Dorset. At 14.4 up-and-down miles you’ll need decent fitness and a full day for this one: it takes us six hours including a stop for lunch. But it’s so 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 huge 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.
See the full Bulbarrow and Rawlsbury Camp walk here
Why walking still works
Part of the appeal of Dorset walks is their simplicity. You don’t need any special equipmwnt – decent shoes, a drink and a free app on your phonew if you want to follow our routes specifically. Then you just walk.
For many people, that’s enough. For others, switching off looks different – something quieter, more sedentary once the boots are off. If that includes online entertainment, it’s worth approaching it in the same way you would anything else: with a bit of research first. Independent guides like this Basswin casino review can help you understand what’s out there and what to avoid.
But if you’re choosing between the two, we’d always take the walk.
