Take a Hike: Beautiful North Dorset circular walk from Okeford Fitzpaine| 7.5 miles

If you’re looking to find the heart of North Dorset, the untouched heartland that feels unchanged for centuries, then this might be the walk you’re looking for. Following paths tucked into the rolling countryside, sitting below the more glamorous ridge walks, you’ll avoid any big climbs, and yet manage to enjoy almost constant stunning views. We took our own gentle strolling time with this walk, and it felt like a mini holiday. We didn’t see another person (other than a couple enjoying their own back garden as we passed with a wave), and felt like we were deep in real Dorset. The route follows old green lanes and winds through the thick centuries-old hedges that are bounding the numerous, small and oddly-shaped fields. A few narrow paths (and lot of stiles) were overgrown – we walked in early July, and a sturdy stick was soon collected to beat back the nettles and brambles at regular intervals. Stiles were also rarely sturdy and well-kept, but they did all exist and were entirely usable. The ones crossing streams were the most solid, thankfully! A couple of times we couldn’t actually see the exit to a field until we were right on top of it – trust the map, the stiles and bridges are there, they’re just buried in the hedgerows! Parking is easy in Okeford Fitzpaine – street parking is fine, please don’t use the village hall car park – and there’s a lovely village shop as well as a pub for a post-walk ice cream or a pint!

CLICK HERE for more images and an interactive map (plus a downloadable gpx file)

We have always created and recently walked the routes we feature (See all previouslypublished routes here), so you know you can trust them. You can see all our routes (including many which are unpublished in The BV) on Outdoor Active, and all include a downloadable gpx file.

In the summer, be prepared – this overgrown nest of bramble is a bridleway!