Dorset Boxing Day walks you can try for 2022

Therefore Boxing Day can provide the opportunity to stretch your legs and take in some wonderful walks around Dorset.

If you’re itching to get out and burn off that Christmas dinner, chocolates and mince pies, here are a few ideas to inspire you to get out and about.

The National Trust has quite a few recommendations for routes you can do around the county.

5 Boxing Day walks around Dorset

Old Harry Rocks walk

Old Harry Rocks (Image: Sharin Trevelyan)

If you want a gentle, but also somewhat long Boxing Day walk to go on then the Old Harry Rocks route might work for you.

It is 3.5 miles long and should take between one hour and two hours to complete.

The circular route begins and ends at South beach car park in Studland, with walkers being able to take in breathtaking views of the Jurassic Coast.

Dogs are welcome on the route under close control, and there is a warning to be careful of sheer cliff edges when approaching Old Harry Rocks.

The full route map can be found on the National Trust website here.

Thorncombe Woods

The routes created in Thorncombe Woods by the Dorset County Council can be walked on Boxing Day, with two different lengths available.

The 'pink trail' is just 15 minutes long and leads walkers through the heart of the woodland and up to the gate of the orchard.

Meanwhile, the 'blue trail' follows a more adventurous route, taking 35 minutes to complete.

The walk begins in the woodland and later passes Rushy Pond, a small watering hole that is home to a variety of different wildlife.

Additionally, this trail has stunning views of the surrounding heathlands which leads to the top of the orchard, where the descent begins to the gate of the gardens.

Golden Cap walk

Golden Cap (Image: Newsquest)

Whilst this walk isn't particularly long, it is quite steep, with the Golden Cap being the highest point on the South Coast at over 600 feet.

You can start at the Seatown car park, and from there it is one mile to the top of the Golden Cap.

Whilst it is very steep, you can take in great views of the coast as you do it.

Once you're at the top you can follow the way you came back down to make it a two-mile walk.

South Purbeck Cliffs walk

For those wanting an even longer walk, the South Purbeck Cliffs route might work out nicely for them.

Starting and ending at Spyway car park, the walk allows people to enjoy sea views, former quarries and grassland rich in wildlife.

It is six miles long, should take around two and a half hours to complete, and it has uneven and steep terrain with stiles and gates.

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Dogs are welcome on the route but under close control around livestock grazing in grassland areas.

Full route details and a map can be found on the National Trust website here.

Walk at White Mill and the Droves

Located at Kingston Lacy this fairly flat walk lasts just over three miles and should take around 90 minutes to complete.

A full route can be found on the National Trust website here, which starts at the car park opposite White Mill.

You turn right as you exit the car park, then right at the junction onto Mill Lane before walking away from White Mill itself up the country lane.

From there turn right up the waymarked bridleway and continue straight on past farm buildings, until reaching the junction with Park Lane.

After that turn right down Park Lane and from there it is a long section going down Sweetbriar Drove.

The route following that is a case of turning right at the fork on Kingston Lacy Drove, going up Stour Valley Way and then going through pasture to find a footpath near the bank of the Stour back towards White Mill.

As a plus point, dogs are also welcomed on the route, but need to be on a lead when near livestock or traffic.