Best walks near Dorchester by train
Dorset · South West England | Walks by foot
Stations: Dorchester West · Dorchester South
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in South West England and plan your next day of green.
Lymington Town Station to Brockenhurst Station (Hampshire)
1h direct from Dorchester South.
13km. Gentle ascents. 3h30–6h.
Can be EXTREME mud in Lymington Reeds Beds Nature Reserve.
Lunch stop: the Fleur de Lys (1h–1h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Snakecatcher Pub, or the Huntsman.
Maiden Newton Station to Yetminster Station (Dorset)
15m direct from Dorchester West.
Tough: steep ascents. 17km. 5h.
Scenic walk. Riverside path with woodland and flat and easy-going. Can be very muddy or boggy.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Chetnole Station to Maiden Newton Station (Dorset)
15m direct from Dorchester West.
Tough: steep ascents. 19km. 5h.
Great views; picturesque. Hill and moorland paths and with substantial climbs.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Bruton Station Circular via Creech Hill (Somerset)
1h direct from Dorchester West.
Tough: steep ascents. 15km. 5h.
Panoramic views. Hill and moorland paths with woodland, fields, and with substantial climbs. Short stretch on a fast-traffic road with limited verge.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Maiden Newton Station Circular (Dorset)
15m direct from Dorchester West.
28km. 7h.
Chalk downland, dry hanging valleys, rounded hills, broad ridges, chalk streams, picturesque villages, and historic churches. Six hilly ascents.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Wool Station Circular (Dorset)
15m direct from Dorchester South.
30km. 7h.
Rolling Thomas Hardy Country pastures, large woods, dairy farms, remote scenic coombes, steep chalk clifftops, rock stacks, limestone arches, caves, beautiful coves, parkland, heath, and bluebell woods. Can be muddy.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Castle Cary Station Circular (Somerset)
1h direct from Dorchester West.
30km. 7h.
Somerset Levels fringes, hillock, quiet residential streets, charming market town, dry green valley, ancient holloway, pastures, shallow river valley, hillfort plateau, steep ascents, large WWII airfield remains, and broad plateau with views. Steep ascents and descents.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Brockenhurst Station Circular (Hampshire)
1h direct from Dorchester South.
16km. 4h.
Level forest walking, dense woodland cycle-ways, open lawns, and inclosures. Can be muddy.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Weymouth Station Circular (Dorset)
9m direct from Dorchester South.
15km.
Disused railway path, pebble causeway, steep hill climb, clifftop ridge with panoramic views, and South West Coast Path back to harbour.
A variant of Weymouth via Isle of Portland Circular – documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Christchurch Station to Bournemouth Station (Hampshire)
45m direct from Dorchester South.
12km.
Christchurch Harbour, wild coastal scenery, sand dunes, headland, promenade, and cliff-top paths.
A variant of Bournemouth to Barton-on-Sea – documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Castle Cary Station to Bruton Station (Somerset)
1h direct from Dorchester West.
27km.
South Somerset pastures, wooded ridge, hanging woods, landscaped estate gardens with lakeside walks, and grottoes and classical temples.
An alternative variant of Bruton Circular via Stourhead – documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Christchurch Station Circular (Hampshire)
1h from Dorchester South, with one change.
7km.
Christchurch Harbour, wild coastal scenery, sand dunes, headland, and spit with beach huts.
A variant of Bournemouth to Barton-on-Sea – documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.