Tried and tested by two-legged and four-legged walkers, these dog-friendly rambles are the perfect way to explore our lovely county
Walk 1: Durdle Door
- Recommended by Elaine and Buddy
Buddy loves walking at Durdle Door. There are stunning views, nice circular walks and doggie ice-cream is even sold in the ice-cream shop! Situated near to Lulworth Cove, it is a very dog-friendly area.
Walk 2: Throop along the Piddle
- Recommended by Bid, Anne and Elsa
Throop is a beautiful walk with a lovely church and fords for the dogs to play in. Walking along the River Piddle at Throop is one of Elsa's all time favourite walks. There is a lovely pool where you can swim - it is very popular with labradors like Elsa! We do a circular walk from Throop through Piddle Wood and Turner's Puddle which means Elsa gets not one but two swims.
Walk 3: Kimmeridge Bay
- Recommended by Fanny Charles and Pippin
My name is Pippin, I'm a wire haired fox terrier. so you could say I'm a Fox's Orange Pippin! I live about an hour from the sea and I love walking with my two-legs, Fanny Charles, whether it's in the woods near Ashmore or along the tracks on the downs - but most of all I like the seaside! My favourite place is Kimmeridge where I like to chase the waves back down the beach. Sometimes we meet my friend Albie, a Jack Russell, his two-legs throws balls for us. She is really good at it and Albie can catch the ball in the sea. My two-legs is completely useless at throwing - I never know which direction the ball will go in!
Walk 4: Parley Common
- Recommended by Tonia and Narhla
Narhla enjoys her walks at the SSSI at Parley Common in Ferndown. It is a beautiful and peaceful place to walk the dogs, with plenty of wildlife to see, streams to run through (dogs or owners!) and just a five minute walk from where I live. Doggy Tip: Parley Common is a Site of Special Interest (SSSI), like many heathlands it has rare wildlife so if walking with dogs here please follow the Doggy Do Code.
Walk 5: Okeford Hill
- Recommended by Hilary and Richard Beck and Jamie
My name is Jamie and I'm an eight-year-old English Springer Spaniel. I live with my owners Hilary and Richard Beck in North Dorset and one of my favourite walks is Okeford Hill, a little way south of Okeford Fitzpaine. We start from the wide lay-by beside the road and walk along the road for a very short distance before turning left and following the path across Turnworth Down and on to Brinsley Common, where there is a selection of footpaths through the woods. This favourite walk is a great combination of open country (where I like to chase a tennis ball) and woodland (where I can sniff and snuffle through the undergrowth).
Walk 6: Hive Beach
- Recommended by Amanda and Helen
Hive Beach, at Burton Bradstock is a fantastic place to walk and you can have a doggy get together at the Hive Café where dogs are well catered for. We run a volunteer group called 'Pooo Pin' (Poo Out People In) working with Litter Free Coast and Sea and National Trust to keep the area free of dog fouling and promote responsible dog ownership. The beach and surrounding fields are a place you can feel safe to walk alone and the scenery can change so much through the seasons.
Walk 7: Knoll Beach, Studland
- Recommended by Anne, Clover and Teasel
For Clover and Teasel, their all-time favourite walk is at Knoll Beach at Studland, they don't get this excited by their other beautiful walks! They love exploring the dunes and little pathways followed by a cooling paddle. Then we visit the National Trust café on the beach - sometimes for lunch, sometimes just a cuppa. Dogs are welcome at outside tables and there is a little dog friendly area indoors too. After that we go to the Corfe Castle model village where the hospitality is fantastic and dogs are so welcome they always get a treat and sometimes a sausage! If we're on a whole day out we finish off with afternoon tea at Floribundas in Swanage, where the owner Sarah bakes natural dog treats, she even does doggie tea parties. Doggy Tip: In summer when dogs must be on leads at Studland hop across by ferry to Sandbanks which has an all-year round doggie beach.
Walk 8: Purbeck Ridge
- Recommended by Su and Alfie
I love the Purbeck Ridge - it offers magnificent views across wonderful countryside and Dorset's sensational coastline. There are so many paths to explore including the South West Coast Path. History and wildlife all around you and the sky makes your soul soar. On one side of the ridge as we approach the coast I can see where I grew up, on the other I can see where I resettled in Dorset after 20 years a-wandering. Rescue dog Alfie is brilliantly behaved with the sheep and people but he's less happy with other dogs after bad experiences. This walk, which offers loads of visibility on the path ahead and comfortable space to move in to, makes him happy on his extending lead. Alfie loves to feel the wind in his fur up here!
Join Dorset Dogs
Dorset Dogs champion positive access management for dogs and promote responsible ownership. They have a lively forum at facebook.com/dorsetdogs and attend community events and fun dog shows. They regularly hold their own special events including Guided Walkies, where dog owners meet up for a dog-friendly ramble in Dorset. Find out more at dorsetdogs.org.uk.
Updated by Martha Griffiths in May 2021
