Take a Hike: From Cheselbourne around Nettlecombe Tout | 6.3 miles

Starting just outside Cheselbourne on Drake’s Lane, this is a wonderful route with endless views, incorporating our favourite track over Lyscombe Hill and across Dorsetshire Gap. It’s a shorter circuit perfect for a winter’s afternoon. Pick a fine day, and you’ll be rewarded with some of the most stunning views across the Blackmore Vale and beyond. It really is a special place for a walk in North Dorset.

The path is straightforward, well signed and easy to follow. Dorsetshire Gap is a meeting of ancient holloways – this was the only arm of the crossroads we’ve never walked before. Not ashamed to say we plotted the whole route in order to walk one short lane!

As you circle the bottom of Nettlecombe Tout, keep an eye on the map. The obvious path goes straight ahead through a wide gate, but instead you want the narrow, dark path that cuts closer to the foot of the hill, up through the trees. Do NOT miss it – it’s not a disaster, you can work around, but you’d miss a stunning green holloway which was beautiful even in a grey, drizzly January.

We parked on the side of the green lane the route begins in – please park considerately and do not block farmer access. If it’s not possible, the next suggestion would be to add a little to the mileage and park in Cheselbourne or Melcombe Bingham and simply walk to the route.

We have always created and recently walked the routes we feature (See all previously published routes here), so you know you can trust them. We aim for unpopulated routes with no roads and BIG VIEWS! You can see all our routes (including many which are unpublished in The BV) on Outdoor Active, and all include a downloadable gpx file. All images © Laura Hitchcock

Dorsetshire Gap is an ancient crossroads

The song thrush’s chest speckles are more streak-like – often shaped like upside-down hearts or arrowheads –compared to the spots of the mistle thrush.