Spring is such a wonderful time of year. The days are starting to get longer, daffodils and bluebells are blooming, and the long winter is starting to disappear.
Dorset’s landscapes burst into life during spring, making it a wonderful place to dust off your walking boots and spend some time outside.
Whether you’re exploring the rugged Jurassic Coast coastline or ambling through the peaceful countryside, there’s something here for everyone.
This article provides a variety of walking trails that offer stunning views, charming villages, and lots of wildlife.
The trails vary in ability, so you can find one that suits you best. Have fun exploring!
Kingcombe Meadows Circular Walk
Nestled near Maiden Newton, Kingcombe Meadows is a beautiful escape managed by the Dorset Wildlife Trust.
This stunning site is a haven for wildflowers, particularly vibrant during the spring months.
See a stunning display of early purple orchids, cowslips, stitchwort, and cuckoo flowers, creating a colourful tapestry across the landscape.
With a total of 180 hectares, there are two marked trails great for a circular walk.
Perfect for walking alone, with your dog or with the family.
👣 Good to know:
- Two easy- moderate circular marked trails across the reserve
- Facilities: Toilets, baby changing, free access, picnic tables
- Dog-friendly (but must be kept on lead)
- Click here for things to do in Dorchester.
📍 Starting Point: Kingcombe Visitor Centre, Dorchester
Hambledon Hill Circular Walk
Hambledon Hill is a captivating location, showcasing one of the best-preserved Iron Age hill forts in Great Britain.
Rising to 190 metres, the hill offers stunning views over Blackmore Vale and the River Stour.
This 2.7-mile walk is both fascinating and scenic, taking approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete. It’s classified as moderate in difficulty, making it accessible to many walkers.
The area is vibrant, with life during the spring months. Walkers can spot a variety of butterflies, including the Adonis Blue, and enjoy the sight of colourful wildflowers like orchids and chalk milkwort.
Skylarks, kestrels, and buzzards often soar above, while the grassland hosts glow worms and brown hares, making it the perfect spot for photographers, young explorers and bird watchers.
👣 Good to know:
- Distance: 2.7 miles
- Moderate – Difficult trail
- Estimated time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- If you love a historic hill fort, click here for other locations.
📍 Starting Point: Lay-by in Duck Street, east of Child Okeford, Blandford Forum
Stonebarrow Walk
Spring at Stonebarrow Walk in Dorset offers a breathtaking experience. The wildflower meadows burst into colour, and the vibrant Green-winged orchids capture visitors’ attention.
What once was a medieval settlement is now a haven for wildlife.
The walk, which features hills, fields, and ancient hedgerows, is set in the Golden Cap Estate. It runs along the famous South West Coast Path, which is part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
The views are simply stunning.
Budding explorers start at Stonebarrow car park near Bridport. The easy 2.72 km trail takes 40 minutes to an hour to complete, making it perfect for a short, thrilling escape into nature.
👣 Good to know:
- Distance: 2.72 km, easy walk, suitable for all
- Time to complete: 40 mins – 1 hour
- Well-behaved dogs are welcome
📍 Starting Point: Stonebarrow car park, Bridport
Langdon Hill And Golden Cap Walk
Langdon Hill Woods, situated near Bridport, is a National Trust-owned gem, especially stunning during spring.
The vibrant green of new beech leaves, alongside Scots pine forests and bluebells, creates a captivating scene.
It offers a beautiful circular walk in Dorset’s stunning nature. The walk starts from a car park and takes explorers through vibrant woodlands.
Travelling up to Golden Cap rewards adventurers with breathtaking views of the coast. In late April and early May, you can immerse yourself in the glorious bluebell display.
The route is mostly flat, with a few steps to climb at the end.
Completing your hike, Felicity’s Farm Shop offers a selection of local treats and hot beverages for a well-deserved pit stop.
👣 Good to know:
- Distance: 3.7 km
- Easy Route
- Time to complete: About 1 hour 7 minutes
- Highlights: Views of Jurassic Coast, beech and Scots pine woods
- Dogs on leads are welcome
📍 Starting Point: Langdon Hill National Trust Car Park, Bridport
Kingston Lacy Estate Circular Walk
Discover the charm of the Kingston Lacy Estate with this easy 5.1 km loop. Nestled near Wimborne, Dorset, the trail offers a delightful mix of parkland and beautifully kept gardens.
Built around a 19th-century Venetian-style country house, the estate is a stunning destination managed by the National Trust.
This easy trail, which typically taking around 1 hour and 20 minutes, starts from the car park by the Kitchen Garden and winds its way through the stunning Kingston Lacy Estate.
As you stroll along the paths, you’ll be enchanted by the vibrant colours of daffodils and bluebells and the fragrant aroma of wild garlic, all blooming in abundance during the spring months.
It’s perfect for a stroll, a jog, or a fun outing with the family and pups.
👣 Good to know:
- Distance: 5.1 km
- Easy Route
- Time to complete: Around 1 hour & 20 minutes
- Dog and child-friendly paths
- To find out more about Kingston Lacy, click here.
📍 Starting Point: Car park by the Kitchen Garden, Wimborne
Ashley Wood Walk
Ashley Wood is a magical place where the woods come alive, especially in springtime. Bluebells and wood anemones create a stunning carpet over the forest floor.
Ancient ash and hazel trees stand tall, and woodland birds fill the air with their songs.
The woodland spans approximately 13 hectares. Visitors can explore a series of rides and paths, which connect to a public footpath at the northern end. The varied terrain adds to the adventure.
Access is only by foot through a field gate. While there is no parking at the site, Tarrant Keyneston Village offers options. Several footpaths lead visitors into the enchanting woods.
👣 Good to know:
- Walking trails: Easy – Moderate
- Must see: Spring carpets of wood anemones and bluebells
- Dogs on a lead are welcome
📍 Starting Point: Parking in Tarrant Keyneston Village, Blandford Forum
Duncliffe Wood Walk
Duncliffe Wood is a stunning ancient woodland in north Dorset, nestled on the twin peaks of Duncliffe Hill.
Across its expansive 93 hectares, you can immerse yourself in nature. This forest is a sanctuary for wildlife, where butterflies, bats, and diverse birds roam freely.
During a spring walk, you may encounter wildflowers, such as moschatel, yellow archangel, wood speedwell, and early-purple orchid.
The woods are perfect for a 4.3-km loop trail.
Winding paths lead through beautiful glades, offering a moderately challenging adventure. The woods are best visited in early spring, when vibrant carpets of bluebells make them a visual delight.
This walk begins at the car park near Gillingham and takes about 1 hour and 16 minutes.
Dogs are welcome to join the exploration, making it ideal for families.
👣 Good to know:
- Distance: 4.3 km loop
- Moderate – Challenging
- Time: Approximately 1 hour 16 minutes
- Special sights: Bluebell carpets, abundant wildlife
- Dog-friendly, with some off-lead areas
📍 Starting Point: Duncliffe Wood Car Park, Gillingham
Portland Bill Circular Walk
The Portland Bill Circular Walk is a delightful journey along the southern tip of the Isle of Portland.
The route starts at the Portland Bill Car Park and is mostly level, with easy paths and short, gentle slopes.
It offers stunning views of the limestone cliffs and Chesil Beach.
This area is a haven for birdwatchers, especially during spring and autumn, when birds migrate.
Three historic lighthouses guide mariners in this area, adding lots of interesting to your walk. As you stroll, enjoy the vibrant flower-filled grasslands.
The walk spans 5.6 km and typically takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete. It’s accessible all year round.
👣 Good to know:
- Distance: 5.6 km
- Easy trail
- Time: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
- Highlights: Birdwatching, flowering grasslands, spectacular views
- Dogs welcome on a lead
📍 Starting Point: Portland Bill Car Park, Portland
Allington Hill Circular Walk
Allington Hill offers a delightful 4-km circular walk near Bridport, perfect for a spring adventure.
The path winds through a mix of lush woodland and open grassland, providing stunning views of West Dorset. It’s an easy hike that usually takes about an hour to complete.
The trail starts at the Washingpool Farm Shop & Cafe, which is ideal for those wanting a refreshment stop.
A campsite nearby invites explorers to stay longer. While the paths are wide, some stretches can be muddy, making waterproof footwear a wise choice.
The area boasts long routes that circle back to the start, allowing walkers to adjust their journey as they wish.
Few people tread this path, offering peaceful exploration.
👣 Good to know:
- Distance: 4.0 km
- Easy route
- Time: About 1 hour
- Best visited during Spring for the flowers
- Dogs are welcome on a lead.
📍 Starting Point: Washingpool Farm Shop & Cafe, Bridport
Compton Acres Gardens Walk
Spring is a magical time at Compton Acres Gardens, spanning 10 delightful acres in Poole.
This ornamental paradise offers a dazzling display of camellias, forsythia, and narcissus, especially vibrant in the warmer months.
Each garden, from the tranquil Japanese Garden to the dramatic Rock & Water Gardens, is part of a circular walking route, creating a beautiful experience at every turn.
Visitors can enjoy step-free pathways, making them accessible to everyone.
The Italian Garden captivates with stunning water fountains and statues, while the Wooded Valley charms with waterfalls and winding paths.
The newest addition, the Heather Garden, remains vibrant throughout the year. A well-stocked plant centre and a cosy café and tearoom provide a perfect end to the visit.
👣 Good to know:
- Route: Gardens are laid out on a circular route
- Easy trail
- Highlights: Italian Garden, Wooded Valley, and Heather Garden
- Plant centre, gift shop, café and tearoom available
- Dog-friendly
- To find out more about Compton Acres, click here.
📍 Starting Point: Compton Acres car park, Poole
Hod Hill Circular Walk
Experience the Hod Hill Circular Walk for breathtaking sights and historic marvels.
Located in the Dorset countryside, this trail curves around the ancient Iron Age fort at Hod Hill.
It offers spectacular views and allows hikers to explore one of the best-preserved Roman forts.
The 1.5-mile trail is a treat for nature lovers. In spring, vibrant orchids, cowslips, and trefoil bloom abundantly on the chalky soils.
It’s a sanctuary for butterflies, showcasing species like the marsh fritillary, Adonis blue, and the eye-catching marbled white. Overhead, skylarks provide a melodic soundtrack, and cattle graze close by.
👣 Good to know:
- Distance: 1.5 miles
- Moderate – Difficult trail
- Time to Complete: About 1 hour
- Dogs on a lead are welcome
- To find out more about Hod Hill, click here
📍 Starting Point: Hod Hill Car Park, Blandford Forum
Durlston Country Park Walk
Durlston Country Park is a vibrant place to explore in spring. The park is full of blooming wildflowers and bustling sea birds.
The clifftop trail offers stunning views and invites walkers to enjoy the fresh spring air.
Several walks are available. The short clifftop walk is around 1.7 km long and takes visitors on a gentle path with a few steep sections.
Along the way, benches provide perfect spots to rest and take in the scenery.
For those interested in wildlife, the park offers special trails that highlight the area’s beautiful wildflowers and butterflies. The paths are clear, making them accessible to everyone.
Facilities include a café and picnic tables near the historic castle, providing a great place to relax.
👣 Good to know:
- Dogs are welcome on a lead
- Easy trail
- Facilities: Café, picnic areas, and benches
- Accessibility: Scooters available for hire
- To find out more about Durlston Country Park, click here.
📍 Starting Point: Lighthouse Rd, Swanage BH19 2JL
Milton Abbas Circular Walk
Experience the charm of the Milton Abbas Circular Walk, a delightful 7.6-kilometre trail close to Blandford Forum, Dorset.
This route showcases the stunning countryside. It weaves through Milton Park Wood and open farmland, ideal for a springtime adventure. Along the way, visitors can enjoy vibrant wildflowers.
The trail begins and ends at the Hambro Arms, a quaint pub perfect for a post-walk refreshment.
Along the route, explorers will wander through picturesque bridleways and occasionally join winding country roads and footpaths. The village itself enchants with rows of thatched white cottages.
This moderately challenging walk usually takes just over two hours to complete. It offers a serene escape, with few others on the path.
February to May is the best time to visit, as the natural beauty truly comes alive.
👣 Good to know:
- Distance: 7.6 km
- Duration: About 2 hours
- Moderate – Challenging route
📍 Starting Point: Hambro Arms, Blandford Forum
