Take a Hike

The routes we feature have always been created and walked recently by ourselves, so you know you can trust them - we aim for unpopulated routes with as little road and as many views as possible! You can always see the route and follow it yourself via the free Outdoor Active app - see all our routes here. Really easy going route with lots of wide views interspersed with beautiful woodland. We walked this two weeks ago - in late Spring the carpets of celandines, bluebells and wood anemones are an absolute picture.

It’s mostly wide bridleways or farm tracks, with very little in the way of map reading required. Out of the woodlands the route enjoys expansive views on open chalk downland - in the summer this route gets HOT, so do take plenty of water!

For a shorter 6.5 mile route, simply use the Jubilee Trail from Handcock’s Bottom to Tarrant Gunville, and then turn left to follow the path parallel to the road towards Stubhampton.

Another celandine-lined path walking through Hinton Bushes

CLICK THE MAP TO SEE THE INTERACTIVE ROUTE ON OUTDOOR ACTIVE

I know I’m not alone in loving a giant oak standing proudly in its field, am I? This one is to your right as you leave Hinton Bushes, and approach the Jubilee Trail. The wide valley view appears behind you as you walk up from Pimperne Barrow

The view to the left of the path in Handcocks Bottom, the dense carpet of celandines disappearing from view. (I personally recommend the detour on Chettle Common simply to say hello to the ancient trees). Mostly unpopulated walking, though the couple of miles nearest the back of Blandford Camp across Pimperne Long Barrow was moderately busy on a sunny Sunday. Harbins Park Estate appear to be doing great work re-installing hedgerows, deciduous forest and wildlife corridors. In the summer the farm is a joy of wildflowers, making up for the current forest of plastic pipes as the new deciduous woodland plantation gets a foothold.

Bluebells and celandines line the enchanting Handcock’s Bottom path