16 easy to follow walk route maps of all grades in The Dorset (Wessex) Downs

Tap/mouse over a coloured circle (1-3 easy walks, 4-6 moderate walks, 7-9 hard walks) and click to select.

You can use these checkboxes to show only the grades of walk you are interested in:-

Sixteen easy-to-follow walk route maps of all grades in The Dorset (Wessex) Downs in Walk Time Order (Shortest to Longest)

Scroll down the list of walks below & click on each walk title (in blue) to locate it on the map above.

See this list of walks, routes & maps in:

Grade Order | Length Order | Time Order | Walk Number or Start Location Order
NB. To reverse (toggle) this order, click Time Order (Shortest to Longest) again

Walk do114 Stinsford and Hardy's Cottage from Higher Bockhampton

The heart of Thomas Hardy's Wessex

Vital Statistics:

Length:	4.75 miles (7.5 km)
Ascent:	499ft (152m)
Time:	2.25hrs
Grade:

Walk route map with easy-to-follow route instructions for walk do114 Stinsford and Hardy's Cottage from Higher Bockhampton pdf

Route Summary:

Higher Bockhampton - Stinsford - Lower Bockhampton - Kingston Maurward - Duddle Heath - Bhompston Heath - Puddleton Heath - Hardy's Cottage (Thomas Hardy's Birthplace) - Thorncombe Wood - Higher Bockhampton

See more details & photos from this walk

Get directions to the start of this walk

Walk do139 Athelhampton from Tolpuddle

A stroll through history

Vital Statistics:

Length:	5.25 miles (8.5 km)
Ascent:	322ft (98m)
Time:	2.25hrs
Grade:

Walk route map with easy-to-follow route instructions for walk do139 Athelhampton from Tolpuddle pdf

Route Summary:

Tolpuddle - Southover Heath - Clyff Copse - Tincleton Hang - Cowpound Wood - Athelhamton - Park Farm - Tolpuddle

See more details & photos from this walk

Get directions to the start of this walk

Walk do118 Abbotsbury Castle and Chesil Beach from West Bexington

Magnificent views

Vital Statistics:

Length:	4.75 miles (7.5 km)
Ascent:	811ft (247m)
Time:	2½ hrs
Grade:

Walk route map with easy-to-follow route instructions for walk do118 Abbotsbury Castle and Chesil Beach from West Bexington pdf

Route Summary:

West Bexington - Tulks Hill - Abbotsbury Castle (Iron Age Fort) - The South West Coast Path - Chesil Beach - West Bexington

See more details & photos from this walk

Get directions to the start of this walk

Walk do142 St Aldhelm's Head (St Alban's Head) from Worth Matravers

One short, steep ascent to magnificent views

Vital Statistics:

Length:	4.75 miles (7.5 km)
Ascent:	754ft (230m)
Time:	2½ hrs
Grade:

Walk route map with easy-to-follow route instructions for walk do142 St Aldhelm's Head (St Alban's Head) from Worth Matravers pdf

Route Summary:

Worth Matravers - The South West Coast Path - Emmetts Hill - St Aldhelm's (St Alban's) Head - St Aldhelm's Chapel - National Coastwatch Station St Alban's Head - West Man - Winspit - Winspit Bottom - Worth Matravers

See more details & photos from this walk

Get directions to the start of this walk

Walk do133 Hardy's Cottage and Puddletown Forest from Higher Bockhampton

The heart of Wessex

Vital Statistics:

Length:	5 miles (8 km)
Ascent:	561ft (171m)
Time:	2½ hrs
Grade:

Walk route map with easy-to-follow route instructions for walk do133 Hardy's Cottage and Puddletown Forest from Higher Bockhampton pdf

Route Summary:

Higher Bockhampton - Thorncombe Wood - Hardy's Cottage (Thomas Hardy's Birthplace) - Bhompston Heath - Duddle Heath - Castle Hill - Beacon Corner - Beacon Hill - Puddletown Forest - Hardy's Cottage (Thomas Hardy's Birthplace) - Higher Bockhampton

See more details & photos from this walk

Get directions to the start of this walk

Walk do110 Melbury Osmond and Melbury Park from Evershot

In the footsteps of Tess of the d'Urbervilles

Vital Statistics:

Length:	5 miles (8 km)
Ascent:	558ft (170m)
Time:	2½ hrs
Grade:

Walk route map with easy-to-follow route instructions for walk do110 Melbury Osmond and Melbury Park from Evershot pdf

Route Summary:

Evershot - Paradise Wood - Evershot Plantation - Banger's Moor - Sares Wood - Lucerne Lake - Melbury Park - The Macmillan Way - Melbury Osmond - Lower Barton - Melbury House - Evershot

See more details & photos from this walk

Get directions to the start of this walk

Walk do103 Eggardon Hill from Askerswell

Impressive Hill Fort

Vital Statistics:

Length:	5.5 miles (9 km)
Ascent:	630ft (192m)
Time:	2.75hrs
Grade:

Walk route map with easy-to-follow route instructions for walk do103 Eggardon Hill from Askerswell pdf

Route Summary:

Askerswell - South Eggardon Farm - North Eggardon Farm - Eggardon Hill Fort - Eggardon Hill - Haydon Down - Stancombe Farm - Askerswell Down - Nallers Farm - Askerswell

See more details & photos from this walk

Get directions to the start of this walk

Walk do101 Swyre Head and The Jurassic Coast from Durdle Door

Coastal walk to a superb Limestone arch

Vital Statistics:

Length:	5.25 miles (8.5 km)
Ascent:	1,234ft (376m)
Time:	3.25hrs
Grade:

Walk route map with easy-to-follow route instructions for walk do101 Swyre Head and The Jurassic Coast from Durdle Door pdf

Route Summary:

Durdle Door Car Park - Daggers Gate - The Warren - Chaldon Down - The South West Coast Path - West Bottom - Middle Bottom - Bat's Hole - Bat's Head - The Jurassic Coast - Swyre Head - Scratchy Bottom - Durdle Door - Durdle Door Car Park

See more details & photos from this walk

Get directions to the start of this walk

Walk do108 Stinsford, Puddletown Forest and Hardy's Cottage from Higher Bockhampton

The heart of Wessex

Vital Statistics:

Length:	7.25 miles (11.5 km)
Ascent:	643ft (196m)
Time:	3.25hrs
Grade:

Walk route map with easy-to-follow route instructions for walk do108 Stinsford, Puddletown Forest and Hardy's Cottage from Higher Bockhampton pdf

Route Summary:

Higher Bockhampton - Stinsford - Lower Bockhampton - Kingston Maurward - River Frome - Duddle Heath - Castle Hill - Beacon Corner - Beacon Hill - Puddletown Forest - Hardy's Cottage (Thomas Hardy's Birthplace) - Higher Bockhampton

See more details & photos from this walk

Get directions to the start of this walk

Walk do111 Abbotsbury Castle and Chesil Beach from Abbotsbury

Superb views

Vital Statistics:

Length:	6.25 miles (10 km)
Ascent:	994ft (303m)
Time:	3.25hrs
Grade:

Walk route map with easy-to-follow route instructions for walk do111 Abbotsbury Castle and Chesil Beach from Abbotsbury pdf

Route Summary:

Abbotsbury - The Macmillan Way - Abbotsbury Plain - The South Dorset Ridgeway - Abbotsbury Castle (Iron Age Fort) - Tulks Hill - Labour in Vain Farm - East Bexington Farm - The South West Coast Path - Chesil Beach - Abbotsbury

See more details & photos from this walk

Get directions to the start of this walk

Walk do122 Black Down (Hardy Monument) via Great Hill from Winterbourne St Martin, Martinstown

Fine ridge walk with expanding views

Vital Statistics:

Length:	7 miles (11 km)
Ascent:	1,037ft (316m)
Time:	3½ hrs
Grade:

Walk route map with easy-to-follow route instructions for walk do122 Black Down (Hardy Monument) via Great Hill from Winterbourne St Martin, Martinstown pdf

Route Summary:

Martinstown (or Winterborne St Martin) - Grove Hill Bottom - Great Hill - South Dorset Ridgeway - Corton Down - Bronkham Hill - Jubilee Trail - Blackdown - Smitten Corner - Black Down (Hardy Monument) - Bronkham Hill - Pen Barn Farm - Grove Hill Bottom - Martinstown (or Winterborne St Martin)

See more details & photos from this walk

Get directions to the start of this walk

Walk do105 Black Down (Hardy Monument) via Corton Down from Winterbourne St Martin, Martinstown

Fine ridge walk with expanding views

Vital Statistics:

Length:	7.25 miles (11.5 km)
Ascent:	847ft (258m)
Time:	3½ hrs
Grade:

Walk route map with easy-to-follow route instructions for walk do105 Black Down (Hardy Monument) via Corton Down from Winterbourne St Martin, Martinstown pdf

Route Summary:

Martinstown (or Winterborne St Martin) - Four Barrows Farm - Great Hill - South Dorset Ridgeway - Corton Down - Bronkham Hill - Jubilee Trail - Blackdown - Smitten Corner - Black Down (Hardy Monument) - East Rew Farm - Rew Manor - Martinstown (or Winterboune St Martin).

See more details & photos from this walk

Get directions to the start of this walk

Walk do128 Littlebredy from Abbotsbury

Superb views

Vital Statistics:

Length:	7.25 miles (11.5 km)
Ascent:	1,158ft (353m)
Time:	3.75hrs
Grade:

Walk route map with easy-to-follow route instructions for walk do128 Littlebredy from Abbotsbury pdf

Route Summary:

Abbotsbury - The Macmillan Way - Abbotsbury Plains - Borad Coppice - Gorwell Farm - Kingstone Russel Stone Circle - Tenants Hill - Littlebredy - Topparts Dairy - The South Dorset Ridgeway - White Hill (Abbotsbury) - Abbotsbury

See more details & photos from this walk

Get directions to the start of this walk

Walk do141 Abbotsbury Castle, West Bexington and Chesil Beach from Abbotsbury

Superb views

Vital Statistics:

Length:	8.25 miles (13 km)
Ascent:	1,070ft (326m)
Time:	4 hrs
Grade:

Walk route map with easy-to-follow route instructions for walk do141 Abbotsbury Castle, West Bexington and Chesil Beach from Abbotsbury pdf

Route Summary:

Abbotsbury - The Macmillan Way - Abbotsbury Plain - The South Dorset Ridgeway - Abbotsbury Castle (Iron Age Fort) - Tulks Hill - West Bexington - The South West Coast Path - Chesil Beach - Abbotsbury

See more details & photos from this walk

Get directions to the start of this walk

Walk do126 Ringstead Bay, Durdle Door and The Jurassic Coast from Lulworth Cove

Coastal walk to a superb Limestone arch

Vital Statistics:

Length:	9 miles (14.5 km)
Ascent:	1,191ft (363m)
Time:	4½ hrs
Grade:

Walk route map with easy-to-follow route instructions for walk do126 Ringstead Bay, Durdle Door and The Jurassic Coast from Lulworth Cove pdf

Route Summary:

Lulworth Cove - West Lulworth - Durdle Door Caravan Park - Newlands Farm - Daggers Gate - The Warren - Chaldon Down - Ringstead Bay - The Jurassic Coast - The South West Coast Path - White Nothe - Whitenothe Cottage - West Bottom - Middle Bottom - Bats Hole - Bats Head - Swyre Head - Scrtachy Bottom - Durdle Door - St Oswald's Bay - Hambury Tout - Dungy Head - Stair Hole,.

See more details & photos from this walk

Get directions to the start of this walk

Walk do115 Corfe Castle and Houns Tout Cliffs from Worth Matravers

Iconic Castle and Cliffs

Vital Statistics:

Length:	9.5 miles (15 km)
Ascent:	1,388ft (423m)
Time:	5 hrs
Grade:

Walk route map with easy-to-follow route instructions for walk do115 Corfe Castle and Houns Tout Cliffs from Worth Matravers pdf

Route Summary:

Worth Matravers - Swanworth Quarry - The Purbeck Way - Coomb Bottom - Corfe Common - Corfe Castle - Corfe Common - Kingston - Houns-tout-Cliffs - The South West Coast Path - North Hill - West Hill - Renscombe Farm - Worth Matravers

See more details & photos from this walk

Get directions to the start of this walk

See this list of walks, routes & maps in:

Grade Order | Length Order | Time Order | Walk Number or Start Location Order
NB. To reverse (toggle) this order, click Time Order (Shortest to Longest) again