This circular Cranborne Chase walk is a beautifully diverse route taking in a stunning National Landscape of chalk downland, ancient forests, green lanes and wide views.
There’s easy parking in the less-well-known Lower Car Park at the back of Martin Down, and then it’s easy paths across diverse Dorset landscapes, climbing the ridge for fantastic views and staying with it before moving into woodlands and descending back across the National Landscape. Your feet barely touch a road, it’s all well-signed footpaths and bridleways.
This route is a personal favourite of ours, and it’s a beautiful route at any time of year (and being chalk downland it tends not to be too soggy even after heavy rain). These images are from late last spring when the bluebells were just starting to appear – but we last walked it to check it just a few weeks ago. It was winter, and the day was grey, cold and damp … and consequently so were the pictures. So I thought I’d cheer your viewing with a little much-missed sunshine instead.
Starting out with easy parking in the less well known Lower Car Park at the back of Martin Down, I always think the first climb from the car is the worst; it’s not steep but it does just Keep. Going. Up. But it’s all easy paths across diverse Dorset landscapes, switching into both the Hardy Way and the Jubilee Trail. When you reach the summit of Pentridge Hill, have a quick explore through the pine trees to appreciate the views on the other side before moving on into woodlands and descending back across the National Landscape of Cranborne Chase. Your feet barely touch a road, it’s all well-signed footpaths and bridleways.
Important Note: If the weather has been wet then do take our alternative, one mile shorter variation here which has a diversion around the corner near Boulsbury Farm. As the track passes through a large pig unit it follows a narrow track which is often unpleasantly filled with slurry: we have repeatedly found it is impassable after wet weather.
Each month in The BV Magazine, we share a new Dorset walk through the beautiful countryside, under our ‘Take a Hike’ series. We walk and create every route ourselves — you can explore all our previously published Dorset Walks here, plus many more personal routes with downloadable GPX files on our OutdoorActive profile here.
We’d love to hear your feedback if you try one — and don’t forget to send us your photos!
All images © Laura Hitchcock.
