Connect Dorchester with Slow Ways
We’re creating a network of walking routes that connect all of Britain’s towns, cities and national parks
more walks and reviews are needed to fully connect Dorchester to the verified network. Can you give a hike and help?
Give a hike!Dorchester
Dorset
Slow Ways linking Dorchester and Abbotsbury, Bere Regis, Chickerell, Maiden Newton, Milborne St Andrew, Piddletrenthide, Wareham, Weymouth
England / Dorset / Dorchester
Dorchester’s eight Slow Ways are 44% checked
Help connect Dorchester
Many Slow Ways have several route options. Some will be better than others, or good for different reasons.
Our goal is for each Slow Way to have at least one route that is verified and surveyed. To be verified – and get its snail badge – a route needs at least three positive reviews.
Give a hike and help get a for every one of Dorchester’s Slow Ways.
Walk to Dorchester from further afield
| Slow Way | Route | To do | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Abbotsbury—Dorchester
|
Abbdor one |
|
3 X |
|
Verify me | Distance 16km/10mi | Ascent 388m | Descent 368m | ||
Chickerell—Dorchester
|
Chidor one |
|
|
U U |
|
Double check | Distance 14km/9mi | Ascent 201m | Descent 167m | |
Chickerell—Dorchester
|
Chidor two |
|
U U |
|
Review me | Distance 14km/9mi | Ascent 202m | Descent 168m | ||
Chickerell—Dorchester
|
Chidor three |
|
3 X |
|
Review me | Distance 16km/10mi | Ascent 312m | Descent 346m | ||
Dorchester—Bere Regis
|
Dorber one |
|
3 X |
|
Review me | Distance 18km/11mi | Ascent 241m | Descent 225m | ||
|
Dorchester—Milborne St Andrew
|
Dormil one |
|
U U |
|
Review me | Distance 17km/11mi | Ascent 218m | Descent 226m | ||
Dorchester—Milborne St Andrew
|
Dormil two |
|
3 X |
|
Review me | Distance 17km/11mi | Ascent 218m | Descent 226m | ||
Dorchester—Piddletrenthide
|
Dorpid one |
|
3 X |
|
Verify me | Distance 12km/7mi | Ascent 153m | Descent 185m | ||
|
Dorchester—Wareham
|
Dorwar one |
|
U U |
|
Pioneer me | Distance 30km/19mi | Ascent 288m | Descent 223m | ||
Maiden Newton—Dorchester
|
Maidor one |
|
1 X |
|
Verify me | Distance 13km/8mi | Ascent 181m | Descent 208m | ||
|
Weymouth—Dorchester
|
Weydor one |
|
U U |
|
Pioneer me | Distance 15km/9mi | Ascent 66m | Descent - |
Fancy stretching your legs a bit more?
If you’ve polished off all of the routes between Dorchester and its neighbours, how about walking its whole web?
This includes the great ring of routes that join its neighbours to each other!
Collective progress
59% of Dorchester’s eight route options are drawn, reviewed, surveyed and/or verified
11/11
9/11
6/11
0/11
4 people have contributed to Dorchester’s Slow Ways
2 people have pledged to walk and review a route
8 people have surveyed a route in Dorchester
137km out of 182km have been walked and reviewed
190km of reviews have been shared in Dorchester
Latest Updates
Lynn Jackson added Weydor one, a new walk from Weymouth to Dorchester
Walk this routeFrom Nottington there are 2 short road walking sections which meant the end wasn't so much fun. Walking through the village is fine, but then there is a short section of road walking, which isn't awful, but it's a bit of a let down after the beginning of the route. The road isn't that busy, visibility is good, and there are verges, so it's ok, but not fun....
Helen Gough
Helen Gough added Chidor three, a new walk from Chickerell to Dorchester
Walk this routeThe route takes you out of Dorchester along tree lined residential avenues, and as soon as you leave town the view is dominated by the immense Maiden Castle, an iron age hill Fort. The route has been plotted along the field edge, but there is a well maintained wide path through the crops, so that's a minor plotting error. I missed one gate at Portesham Hill, as the route isn't quite aligned with the footpath there....
Helen Gough
Some people would probably find this route a bit dull, because of the lanes, and because you don't get the views that generally accompany a walk in Dorset, but as a way to get from Maiden Newton to Dorchester you can't fault it....
Helen Gough
For me it’s a real Slow ways walk: from A to B on quiet roads / paths, but no long detours. It feels like walking in the old days: going to town is something you do on foot....
pmostert
Lynn Jackson added Chidor two, a new walk from Chickerell to Dorchester
Walk this routeThis part of the walk is long and noisy, stay on the left of the path as cyclists can appear behind you. You’ll walk alongside field boundaries before a sharp left turn, this part of the walk takes you onto the Nottington road. There are some undulating field boundaries to walk along but the only problem on the last stretch into Chickerell, when our path was blocked by a locked gate. It has been reported, but if it is still blocked, walk back 20 metres and turn right, following the hedge that leads to Lower Putton Lane (as per the gpx file)...
Lynn Jackson
In the final descent, after Black Hill, look for the gate with the sign post (picture 3)....
pmostert
Downside is that depending on the season and the crops, paths can be narrow, moved or lost; see picture....
pmostert
It is a beautiful countryside route, only on paved roads at the very beginning and the final kilometers....
pmostert
To my understanding dormil 1 and dormil 2 follow the same route....
pmostert
It's a pleasant route through Thomas Hardy's country....
pmostert
The first part of the current route [Dorchester - Upwey] has two major issues:....
pmostert
It is a pleasant, quiet, easy accessible and direct route, connecting the railway stations of Maiden Newton and Dorchester-West. The route mainly follows the Frome Valley Cycle Trail and is mainly on paved roads....
pmostert
Many of the paths are narrow, following field edges, mostly arable but some inquisitive cattle and horses encountered. A section of the route climbing the ridge between Three Cornered Coppice and the ridge above Muston Manor is unmarked across an arable field, so best to follow field edges....
Slowgrey
Slow Ways added Abbdor one, a new walk from Abbotsbury to Dorchester
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Chidor one, a new walk from Chickerell to Dorchester
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Dorber one, a new walk from Dorchester to Bere Regis
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Dormil one, a new walk from Dorchester to Milborne St Andrew
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Dormil two, a new walk from Dorchester to Milborne St Andrew
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Dorpid one, a new walk from Dorchester to Piddletrenthide
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Dorwar one, a new walk from Dorchester to Wareham
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Maidor one, a new walk from Maiden Newton to Dorchester
Walk this route
Dorchester’s Slow Ways starting point
Grid ref
SY6926690722
Lat / Lon
50.71530° / -2.43669°
Easting / Northing
369,266E / 90,722N
what3words
Fancy stretching your legs a bit more?
If you’ve polished off all of the routes between Dorchester and its neighbours, how about walking its whole web?
This includes the great ring of routes that join its neighbours to each other!
Facilities
Users have reported that the following facilities can be found within 1km of Dorchester's meeting point
Public toilet
Wheelchair accessible toilet
Supermarket or convenience shop
Restaurant, cafe or pub
Accommodation
Accommodation for under £50 a night
Campsite
Bothy
Free wifi
Mobility scooter hire
Off-road wheelchair hire
Disabled Parking
Train station
Bus stop
Ferry
Official ‘Walkers are Welcome’ town
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