Dorset Jubilee Trail

Start: Forde Abbey
Grid Reference: ST 362052
End: Bokerley Dyke
Grid Ref: SU 050187
Distance: 145 km
Walking Time: 7 days
Counties Traversed: Dorset
Explorer™ Maps: 116, 117, 118, OL45

The Dorset Jubilee Trail is one of several long distance paths that owe their existence to the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Ramblers' Association. As its special project to celebrate this Jubilee in 1995, Dorset Area chose to create a 90 mile (145km) route across the county. The Trail was opened on 24th September 1995.

The Trail runs from Forde Abbey on the Somerset border in the west, across Dorset to Bokerley Dyke in the north-east on the Hampshire border. The route was devised to avoid existing trails and popular rights of way and to seek out the little known and little used paths in order to open them up for all to enjoy. The Trail winds through quiet villages, passing rural churches, and offers extensive views over the rolling downs and secret valleys that make Dorset so special. The Trail is supported by Dorset County Council and is waymarked.

A six day itinerary would allow a comfortable journey along this Trail. The route follows rural paths, accommodation is limited and should be booked in advance. Additional walking will be required to get to the start and finish of the Trail and you may have to walk off the trail to find the nearest accommodation in some places. A helpful index of the villages and their facilities can be found in the Guide Book. Practicalities will depend on your transport arrangements but the guide has information to assist with this.

From Forde Abbey the main villages passed through or nearby are Thorncombe, Stoke Abbott, Beaminster, Mapperton, Toller Porcorum, Winterborne Abbas, Upwey, West Knighton, Crossways, Moreton, Bere Regis, Milton Abbas, Winterborne Stickland, Durweston, Stourpaine, Pimperne, Tarrant Gunville, Chettle, Cranborne.

Click the guidebook image above for further details