Horse riding
Exploring Dorset on horseback offers a different perspective on the county. While travelling along these ancient routes, you often see more wildlife as you move quietly through the countryside.
The following trails offer a variety of routes for horse riders from off road bridleways around rural Dorset to shorter routes linking local villages and towns.
However please check an OS map or contact the local Ranger before you start your journey as some sections of these trails (Castleman Trailway and North Dorset Trailway) are restricted for cyclists and horse riders.
For information on bridleways where you can take your horse visit the public rights of way pages.
Details of riding stables in Dorset can be found on:
Visit-Dorset.com (opens in a new window) 
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Wessex Ridgeway
The Wessex Ridgeway Trail is a magnificent ridge-top horse riding route crossing Dorset's rural heartland. The trail offers vistas across the county and breathtaking views far beyond. The majority of the route straddles a long chalk ridge but in places is broken up by small rounded hills and secluded valleys. Each section of the trail has its own unique identity and its delights to explore.
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Castleman Trailway
The Castleman Trailway is one of Dorset's gentlest way-marked, horse riding routes. This 16.5 mile (26.5 kilometres) trailway follows much of the old Southampton to Dorchester railway line. The trailway takes you through some of East Dorset's stunning landscape whilst also connecting a string of settlements between Ringwood and Poole.
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North Dorset Trailway
The North Dorset Trailway runs along the route of the old Somerset and Dorset Railway line and takes you through some picturesque villages of the Blackmore vale. The old railway line provides an ideal route for horse riding as it links many of North Dorset's towns and villages.
