10 of the best Dorset walks

Corfe

Distance 1½ miles
Start Corfe Castle ticket office, grid ref: SY961821
National Trust downloadable route and map
There are few castles more evocative than Corfe Castle (nationaltrust.org.uk/corfe-castle), an imposing ruin perched high on the hill, which is thought to be the inspiration for Kirrin Castle in Enid Blyton's Famous Five books. It's a formidable defensive, and the common around the castle has been shaped by human activity over thousands of years, leaving an interesting archaeological landscape. Cream teas for the tired walker await in the Bankes Arms Hotel (dorset-hotel.co.uk) or, for something stronger, the beer garden overlooking the castle at the Greyhound Inn (greyhoundcorfe.co.uk) is the perfect place to relax with a pint.

Melbury Downs

Distance 3⅓ miles
Start Spread Eagle Hill car park, grid ref: ST886187
National Trust downloadable route and map
Inland Dorset is Thomas Hardy country, with landscapes right out of his novels. You can still visit his birthplace and his later home, Max Gate, (nationaltrust.org.uk/hardy-country) but the essence of Hardy is found in the surrounding countryside that inspired his semi-fictional Wessex. This walk takes you through the Downs in which his novels of the Blackmore Vale are set, featuring far-reaching views and an ancient landscape. For a nearby pick me up, The Fontmell (thefontmell.com) is a good, newly-refurbed country pub.

Old Harry Rocks

Distance 3½ miles
Start South Beach car park, grid ref: SZ038824
National Trust downloadable route and map
Few geological formations on the Dorset coastline are as instantly recognisable as the chalk sea stack of Old Harry and his wife. Formed by sea erosion, which now threatens the formation itself, the chalk headland offers spectacular views across Poole harbour to Bournemouth and the Isle of Wight. This easy walk takes you along the clifftop and through the chalk grassland of the surrounding area, with the added benefit of starting and ending at the Bankes Arms (bankesarms.com).

West Bexington

Distance 2½ miles
Start West Bexington Beach car park, grid ref: SY532865
National Trust downloadable route and map
Following a short stretch of the South West Coast Path, this walk takes in the area around Chesil Beach, an 18-mile long "barrier beach" that shelters Weymouth from the erosion caused by the prevailing wind and waves. Fishermen are a common sight on the coastline. Further inland, the wide hedgerows offer excellent habitats for birds, and the nearby nature reserve (chesilbeach.org/cbfnr) offers further bird-spotting opportunities.

Marshwood

Distance 4 miles
Start Lambert's Castle car park, grid ref: SY366988
National Trust downloadable route and map
Dorset's countryside is scattered with forts, castles, gun emplacements and other fortifications. There are several recognisable ancient monuments in the county, including the two Iron Age hill forts featured in this walk. Lambert's Castle offers fine views of the surrounding area, with the coast visible on clear days. The medieval fishpond is also well worth a visit – it is now a wildlife habitat, with kingfishers known to visit on occasion.

Dancing Ledge

Distance 3½ miles
Start Langton Matravers car park, grid ref: SY997784
National Trust downloadable route and map
A "ware" is a traditional term for land for rough grazing, but the full meaning of the intriguingly ancient named field of Scratch Arse Ware has sadly been lost. This walk follows the natural limestone grassland through Scratch Arse Ware and surrounding fields to Dancing Ledge – a former quarry that now exists as a stone "dancefloor" ledge. The area is an evocative one – a nearby sycamore tree was thought to have been once used as a hangman's tree and the coast nearby was smugglers' territory. The historic Ship Inn (shipinnlangton.co.uk) nearby provides refreshment for tired walkers, while nearby Swanage is a delightful seaside town.

Godlingston Heath, Studland Beach and Nature Reserve

Distance 3 miles
Start Middle Beach car park, Studland village, grid reference: SZ035828
National Trust downloadable route and map
The sand spit of Studland is a unique spot – the only place in the British Isles where all six native species of reptile can be found. This walk takes in areas of the fascinating heath, which is also home to a diverse array of insects and birdlife. Studland (nationaltrust.org.uk/studland-beach) is the start point for the South West Coast Path, and is also home to some fantastic beaches, with barbecue spots and views across to Sandbanks (a short journey away on the chain ferry), Bournemouth, and the Isle of Wight. The wide open Shell Bay is a popular spot, with gently sloping waters backed by dunes, while for those who prefer slightly more freedom, the most popular naturist beach in Britain is nearby.

Brownsea Island

Distance 1 mile
Start Path next to church, grid ref: SZ022876
National Trust downloadable route and map
Located in the middle of Poole harbour, Brownsea (nationaltrust.org.uk/brownsea-island) is a dramatically located wildlife refuge with a rich history and great views of the surrounding area. The birthplace of the Scouting movement, it has plenty to divert families, with the Baden-Powell Outdoor Centre providing excursions and activities. The real star, however, is the wildlife, with red squirrels, deer, lizards, insects and birdlife all in residence. This short walk takes you through some of the best spots, but further wandering may result in its own wildlife-spotting rewards.

Burton Bradstock

Distance 1 mile
Start Burton Bradstock car park, grid ref: SY491888
National Trust downloadable route and map
This short circular walk along golden Burton Cliff takes in some spectacular clifftop views of the Jurassic coast. Hive beach below is part of the fascinating stony beach coastline around Lyme Bay. It was a key landing stage for smugglers, and folklore says that a local fisherman or smuggler could tell exactly where he was on the beach at night or in fog simply by looking at the size of the pebbles. The regular rock falls often expose fascinating fossils; you can compare finds or simply enjoy the view with some fine fresh fish at the Hive Beach Café, (hivebeachcafe.co.uk).

Langdon Hill

Distance 1 mile
Start Langdon Hill car park, grid ref: SY412930
National Trust downloadable route and map
This leisurely stroll takes in views towards Golden Cap (nationaltrust.org.uk/golden-cap), pictured, the highest point on the south coast, which gets its name from minerals in the rock that glisten a rusty-gold when exposed in the sunlight. This is another stretch of countryside full of history, from burial mounds to ancient landscape, while the woods fill with wild flowers in the summer months. Stonebarrow Hill, close by, is a great starting point for a network of footpaths, including the family-friendly interactive Smugglers' Trail.