Walking and fresh air is good for you in more ways than one. There are plenty of woodland walks in Dorset that are suitable for exploring all year around. Whether you are looking for somewhere new to explore, put on those walking boots and get exploring.
Badbury Rings
Blandford Road, Blandford Forum, DT11 9JL
If you’d like a 2 mile walk around the Iron Age hill fort near Wimborne, you will be treated with some amazing views from the top.
Parking is via a National Trust car park, with free parking for members, or minimal charge for non members.
The walks can be extended into the Kingston Lacy estate and down Beech avenue on the road side, but a short walk around the rings is a great place to explore. It’s useful to know there may be live stock roaming occasionally, so dogs need to be kept on leads.
Related post – Dog walks in Wimborne
Cannon Hill Woods
Colehill, Wimborne, BH21 7BQ
If dog walking is a must for you, Cannon Hill woods is a great place for the dogs to explore with over 700 acres of forest.
Many of the tracks here are pushchair and wheelchair friendly, as is much of the Castleman Trailway that runs through Cannon Hill Woods between West Moors and Wimborne.
Castleman Trailway
The Castleman Trailway runs from Ringwood to Poole over a distance of 16 miles. Whilst you may not wish to walk the whole route, there are plenty of different places to start and stop along the way. Parking is available at many of the Dorset country parks, as well as well spaced out pubs along the way.
Discover the Castleman Trailway in more detail.
Delph Woods
Broadstone, BH21 3BY
You will discover 24 acres of woodland with a pretty stream running through it in Delph woods near Wimborne. Free parking is available at the entrance to the woods along Gravel Hill. You can also find a 1.5 mile walking route marked by yellow posts in the woodland.
Delph Woods also joins the Castleman Trailway on its journey between Wimborne and Broadstone.
Kingston Lacy Walks
Wimborne BH21 4EA
The Kingston Lacy estate is home to plenty of woodland walks in Dorset. Parking is via the National Trust car park as you enter the woodland to the right hand side of the house and gardens.
Throughout the year, Kingston Lacy takes on many different colours through the seasons. It’s probably one of the most famous places in Dorset to see snowdrops in February and March.
You can extend your walk along the avenue along the roadside paths, across into Badbury Rings or across to Pamphill.
Related Post – National Trust locations in Dorset
Moors Valley Country Park
Horton Road, Ashley Heath, Ringwood, BH24 2ET
There is plenty of parking on site at Moors valley Country Park. Walk past the visitors centre towards the play trail and you will discover an expanse of forest trails. It’s best to follow the waymarked trails to avoid the cycle paths that are widely used.
You can follow the trails from Moors Valley and join the Castleman Trailway near the Ashley Heath area if you’d like to extend a walk.
Toilet facilities are available at Moors Valley near the visitor centre and train station.
Related Post – Country parks in Dorset
Stour Valley Nature Reserve Walks
Muscliff, Bournemouth, BH9 3PR
There are multiple woodland walks along the river Stour. A good base if you’re looking for walks near Bournemouth is to park at the Stour Valley Nature reserve and discover some of the trails, wildlife and scenery along the river banks.
The Kingfisher visitor centre is on hand for information and a cafe serving light refreshments.
Related post – Exploring the Stour Valley Way
Thorncombe Woods
DT2 8QH
26 hectares of woodland awaits near Dorchester in Thorncombe Woods. You may discover the Roman road that runs through the woods, and also Rushy Pond that was famous for Thomas Hardy works.
The nearest parking available is the Dorset Council car park for Thorncombe Woods. Parking charges apply. If you visit during the Spring months, you’ll be able to spot the carpets of bluebells.
Wareham Forest Woodland Walks
BH20 7PA
Wareham Forest has plenty of waymarkers to help you find your way along the paths and trails. The forest is mainly on a flat level making it pushchair friendly, and easier walking levels.
Signposted trails will help you find your way around the forest, including the 2 mile Woodlark trail.
Free parking is available at the entrances to the forest trails including the Sika trail car park which is a popular cycling trail in the forest and also the entrance to the Woodlark trail.
