Terri Lines - Beautiful Walks Around Dorset

Dorset offers a range of stunning coastal and countryside walks, from the dramatic Jurassic Coast to peaceful inland trails. The Lyme Regis Undercliff is a challenging seven-mile walk through a rare habitat, while the Hengistbury Head to Sandbanks route provides 10 miles of scenic beach views. For a moderate hike, the Golden Cap Summit offers beautiful coastal vistas, though some steep sections require sturdy boots. Inland, the Minterne Magna Loop showcases Dorset’s countryside and passes by the iconic Cerne Abbas Giant, a hill figure steeped in local folklore. Each of these walks highlights the natural beauty and cultural richness of Dorset.

1. Terri Lines -
Beautiful Walks
Around Dorset
Dorset is a must - visit loc ation for those seeking be autifull y scenic
co ast al walks . As well as the drama of the region ' s famous Jurassic
Co ast , there are also plent y of prett y villages , wooded footp aths and
quiet lanes to explore .

2. Lyme Regis Undercliff
1
Starting Point
This seven - mile Dorset co ast al walk is challenging but
rewarding . Beginning in Se aton in Devon , the hike p asses
through the Lyme Regis undercliff , a five - mile - long
landsc ape fe ature and National Nature Reser ve .
2
Unique Habitat
Those who love to walk in this are a , such as Teresa Lines ,
know that due to the difficul t y of access , as well as being
densel y veget ated , the undercliff has become an unusual
and rare habit at for birds and plants .
3
Literary Connection
This str iking natural fe ature is also descr ibed in the
popular novel _ The French Lieutenant ' s Woman _ by John
Fowles .

3. Hengistbury Head to
Sandbanks Linear Walk
1
Starting Point
Ter r i Lines , who lives in Dorset , appreciates moderate
walks with stunning views , like this 10- mile line ar route
running from the end of Hengistbur y He ad be ach to
Sandb anks Be ach at Poole .
2
Along the Way
This walk p asses both Boscombe and Bour nemouth Piers ,
and there are plent y of kiosks and c afes along the way
offer ing rest and refreshments .
3
Destination
Sandb anks Be ach itself bo asts award - winning Blue Flag
waters , gorgeous golden sands and stunning views across
the Jurassic Co ast .

4. Golden Cap Summit
1
Trail Details
This moderate walk of just over four miles t akes around t wo to
three hours to complete and covers an elevation of 958 feet ,
le ading to the summit of Golden Cap , a se aside hill that offers
be autiful views of the Dorset co astline .
2
Preparation
There are some relativel y steep sections to be t ackled on the trail ,
so a p air of good , suppor tive walking boots are a must for this
hike .
3
Dog Walkers
Those walking with a dog should be prep ared to keep it on a le ad ,
as livestock is likel y to be encountered along the route .

5. Minterne Magna Loop: Part 1
Route Overview
The Minter ne Magna Loop is an
inland walk of 5.4 miles that t akes
in some pe aceful Dorset
countr yside and one of the most
well - known hill figures in the UK .
Cerne Abbas Giant
The Cer ne Abb as Giant is a 180-
foot - t all chalk hill figure , which
recent testing suggests has an
or igin bet ween 700 CE and 1110
CE . The figure is one of the
region ' s most popular visitor
attractions and is an impor t ant p ar t
of loc al folklore and cul ture , often
associated with fer tilit y .
Route Details
The route loops around the
sur rounding countr yside to p ass
through several prett y villages .

6. Minterne Magna Loop:
Part 2
Navigation
Those walking this trail may wish to use a GPS in cer t ain are as
where the route is p ar ticular l y overgrown .
Scenic Villages
The Minter ne Magna Loop p asses through several prett y villages ,
offer ing a glimpse into rural Dorset life .
Peaceful Countryside
This inland walk t akes in some pe aceful Dorset countr yside ,
providing a contrast to the co ast al walks in the region .
Cultural Significance
The Cer ne Abb as Giant , visible on this walk , is an impor t ant p ar t of
loc al folklore and cul ture , making this route both scenic and
cul turall y interesting .