Best walks in Dorset

We’ve laced up our boots and whittled down the options to bring you the best walks in Dorset. These routes promise unforgettable experiences and a great activity to escape the hustle and bustle.

Dorset. The name conjures images of rugged cliffs, sparkling turquoise waters and ancient history etched into the landscape. The best way to discover these impressive sights is out of the car on two feet, whether you’re a seasoned hiker or fancy a casual stroll.

We’ve laced up our boots and whittled down the options to bring you the best walks in Dorset. These routes promise unforgettable experiences and a great activity to escape the hustle and bustle.

1. Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door

Durdle Door at sunset, near Crossways Club Campsite. Member photo by Steve Woodman.

Distance: 2 miles

Difficulty: moderate

Grab your sturdy shoes and tackle what has to be the most famous walk in Dorset. Travel between two of the county’s, and the country’s most iconic landmarks along its shore. Start at Lulworth Cove, admiring its unique landscape characterised by white limestone cliffs.

Head west to Durdle Door at height, enjoying panoramic views over the English Channel. It’s no wonder the area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

7 miles from Crossways Club Campsite

2. Golden Cap summit

Distance: 4 miles

Difficulty: hard

Climb to the summit of Golden Cap, which, at 191 metres (627 ft), is the highest point on the entire South Coast of England. The views are unparalleled, stretching east over Chesil Beach and west towards Lyme Regis and the East Devon cliffs.

As you approach Golden Cap on a clear day, it often appears to glow golden in the sunlight. You see patchwork fields meeting dramatic slumping coastal cliffs and vast seascapes stretching along the entire western edge of the Jurassic Coast.

7 miles from Bridport Bingham Grange Club Campsite

3. Old Harry Rocks

Distance: 3.5 miles circular

Difficulty: easy to moderate

This easy-to-access coastal walk leads to the magnificent chalk sea stacks: Old Harry, his wife and his daughter. You get spectacular views across Poole Harbour to Bournemouth and the Isle of Wight. Iconic dazzling white chalk stacks jut out of the turquoise sea, contrasting sharply with the green clifftop grass.

Views encompass the sweeping sandy bay of Studland and the entrance to Poole Harbour. This is a fantastic place for photography, particularly at sunrise or sunset, so be sure to bring your camera!

6 miles from Haycraft Club Campsite

4. Corfe Castle to Ballard Down

The ruins of Corfe Castle, near Hunter's Moon Club Campsite. Member photo by Andy Brown.

Distance: 8 miles

Difficulty: hard

This walk starts off in one of Dorset’s most picturesque areas, namely the village of Corfe Castle and the historic structure it takes its name from. You’ll pass the ruins of the castle before climbing onto the Purbeck Ridge. You then traverse Ballard Down to reach the coast at the Old Harry Rocks area before descending to Swanage.

The stunning, dramatic ruin of Corfe Castle sitting atop a mound is a real highlight, as is rolling chalk downland, heathland and eventually, the glorious views down to the coast.

2 miles from Haycraft Club Campsite

5. Hod Hill circular

Distance: 2 miles

Difficulty: easy

This short, history-rich walk takes you around one of Britain's finest Iron Age hill forts. You walk the ramparts of the massive earthworks, with the remains of a small Roman fort inside.

Along the way, you’ll see massive, defined Iron Age earthworks and defensive ditches, offering panoramic pastoral views across the Blackmore Vale and the winding path of the River Stour below. The spot is also famed for its wildflowers and rare butterflies. It really is an excellent spot for nature lovers.

16 miles from Hunter’s Moon Club Campsite