Useful Information

Start Point: Various

Finish Point: Circular route
Total Distance: 26 miles / 42 km
Districts Covered: West Dorset
Map Information: OS Explorer Maps 117

Linking Trails and Walks:

Wessex Ridgeway (Dorset section)
National Cycle Network National Route 26
Frome Valley Trail
National Cycle Network National Routes
Wessex Ridgeway Trail
Jubilee Trail

Cerne Valley Way

This circular walk takes in the hamlets and villages of Minterne Magna, Cerne Abbas, Nether Cerne, Godmanstone, Forston and Charminster.

The route follows the course of the river, from near its source in the basin formed by the hill of High Stoy and Dogbury to its junction with the River Frome in the water meadows at Charminster. Along the route you can visit the smallest pub in England, the Smith's Arms at Godmanstone, see Britain's largest hill figure, the Cerne Giant, and visit Hilfield Hill Local Nature Reserve.

Landscape/Terrain:

Chalk Downland and River Cerne valley. The route passes through the River Cerne Valley and then onto the chalk ridge before sauntering downhill back to Dorchester. There are few steep sections particularly where you climb up and back down the chalk ridge. The majority of the route is on hard surfaced track ways the remainder within sunken lanes or on pastoral and arable fields.

Finding your way:

On the ground the trail is signed with a round white disc with a buzzard in the centre. Buzzards can be seen circling above the trail along the whole route. Follow this waymark disc to find your way along the entire length of the trail.