This route is a personal favourite of ours, a beautiful route at any time of year. These images are from last summer – but we last walked it to check it just two weeks ago. It was January, and the day was grey, cold and damp, and cionsequently so were the pictures. So I thought I’d cheer your viewing with a little much-missed summer sunshine instead. Same route, just six months earlier!
Starting out with easy parking in the less well known Lower Car Park
at the back of Martin Down, enjoying easy paths across diverse Dorset landscapes, climbing the ridge for fantastic views and staying with it before moving into woodlands and descending back across the AONB. Your feet barely touch a road, it’s all well-signed footpaths and bridleways.
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.
To follow this route using the Outdooractive App, please find the route here.
All images Laura Hitchcock
The first climb from the car is the worst; it’s not steep but it does just Keep. Going. Up. But what’s not
to love about walking past Toby’s Bottom? Do keep an eye on the map in Boulsbury Wood; detour slightly to Mear’s Pond for a quiet pause. When you reach the summit of Pentridge Hill, have a quick explore through the pine trees to appreciate the views on the other side of the hill before moving on.
Important Note:
If the weather has been wet then do take our alternative, one mile shorter variation here which has a diversion around the corner near Boulsbury Farm. As the track passes through a large pig unit it follows a narrow track which is often unpleasantly filled with slurry. It is impassable after wet weather.
The view from the top of the first climb up Blagdon Hill – you can just make out the car park half way to the horizon.
As you leave the woodland behind it’s impossible not to stop at this stile for a minute to absorb the surprise view that has opened up across Tidpit Common Down.
Surely I’m not the only one to get the urge to charge up this path with arms flung wide? Be ready for that gorgeous forest you’re about to head into.
Old forest, tall new trees.
One of my favouirite holloways, is as you leave Boulsbury Wood.
