Our Favourite Dog Walks in Dorset (From Coastal Paths to Countryside Trails We Return to Again and Again)

When people search for dog walks in Dorset, they usually look for two things: a truly beautiful location and a place where their dog can run freely and safely.

As locals (and dog owners), these are the walks we keep returning to. Some we’ve done in every season; others have become our friends’ favourites, thanks to our introduction. They’re the walks that always remind us why we live here.

 If you’re staying in one of our [dog-friendly holiday cottages] in Dorset, these are the walks we recommend.

 The Scott Arms Circular Walk, Kingston (Near Corfe Castle)

Approx. 3.5 miles

This is one of our absolute favourites, and we never tire of it. Begin in Kingston and follow the circular route as it gently rises and falls through open countryside, guiding you towards the coast and the famous “Dorset Golden Bowl”, a wide, natural valley that appears to sweep down to the sea.

As you follow the coast path and begin to descend, look out for the signpost to Chapman’s Pool. It’s well worth making the detour. This small, rugged cove lies beneath the cliffs and has long been known for its fossils. It feels tranquil and slightly hidden, and dogs enjoy exploring the shoreline. The return climb is steady rather than steep, and at the top, the Scott Arms awaits.

Its beer garden is often listed among England’s best views, with Corfe Castle rising in the distance. On a clear day, it’s hard to beat. In winter, the interior is warm and welcoming. We’ve brought friends here who had never discovered this part of Dorset, and they now regularly return with their families. That says everything.

Worth Matravers to the Square & Compass

A walk with history, sea views and character

We usually park in the Worth Matravers village car park. There’s a small wooden henge-style sculpture in the village that always catches people’s attention. From the village, walk down towards Winspit Quarry, with dramatic limestone cliffs overlooking the sea. The quarry was once used for building stone and, more recently, featured in Star Wars: Andor, which surprises people when you mention it.

From Winspit, follow the South West Coast Path along the cliffs. The views are expansive and unobstructed, yet the path remains manageable and clearly defined. At Seacombe Cliff, a fantastic spot for photographs, begin making your way back inland towards the village.

You’ll eventually come to the Square & Compass, one of Dorset’s most characterful pubs. It dates from the 18th century and is one of only five pubs to feature in every edition of CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide since 1974. Inside, you’ll find stone floors, beer barrels, and a small museum of local fossils and curiosities. Outside, the views extend across open countryside to the sea.

We’ve ended many walks here, sitting outside, dog asleep at our feet, looking out over the landscape we’ve just crossed.

Ringstead Bay to Osmington Mills (Weymouth)

Coast path history and a 17th-century inn

Park near Ringstead Bay and follow the South West Coast Path towards Osmington Mills. You have two options: either by the beach or the longer route from the National Trust car park, which is signposted.

Ringstead itself feels natural and unspoilt. On one side, the white chalk cliffs of White Nothe rise steeply from the sea; on the other, the bay curves towards Portland.

There’s history here as well. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the secluded shoreline made it a popular landing spot for smugglers. During the Second World War, the cliffs above were used for coastal defence, and you can still see remnants of radar and defensive structures along the path.

The walk itself is rolling but manageable, with expansive views across the Jurassic Coast.

You finish at The Smugglers Inn, a 17th-century pub nestled in the valley at Osmington Mills. After walking along a coastline once loved by smugglers, it feels like the perfect place to stop before heading back.

The Bankes Arms Circular Walk in Studland

A favourite all year round

We park at The Bankes Arms (National Trust car park) and head out from the rear gate towards St Nicholas’ Church, a small Norman church that has quietly watched over Studland for centuries.

From there, walk down Church Road. When our children were younger, they always wanted to stop at Manor Farm Tea Room for ice cream before we encouraged them up the steady incline ahead. Our dog, meanwhile, enjoys this stretch, several residents on this unnamed steep road leave water bowls outside their gates.

The climb brings you onto the coastal path, and that’s when the view opens up. Swanage. Brownsea Island. Studland Bay. Poole Harbour. Bournemouth. On clear days, even the Isle of Wight’s chalk cliffs.

Turn left and follow the path towards Old Harry Rocks, the iconic chalk stacks formed thousands of years ago and once believed to have been connected to the Isle of Wight before erosion separated them. Loop back to The Bankes Arms, whose beer garden overlooks the coast. On winter days, the pub offers a cosy log fire. It also sells its own craft ales.

It’s a walk we’ve taken in summer sunshine and winter wind, and it never disappoints.

Chesil Beach, Abbotsbury, Weymouth to West Bexington

Sea on one side, countryside on the other

We always begin with coffee at the Chesil Beach Café, in the Abbotsbury car park (not to be confused with the Abbotsbury subtropical garden car park). The one you need is at the end of Bullers Way. 

From there, head along Burton Road, which soon joins the South West Coast Path. Walk above Chesil Beach towards West Bexington. This stretch is marked by contrast, with the vast shingle sweep of Chesil on one side and the rolling green Dorset countryside on the other. It feels open and spacious without being exposed.

At West Bexington, The Club House makes an excellent lunch stop, particularly if you can sit outside.

Then simply retrace your steps.

The Blue Pool, Near Wareham

A peaceful woodland walk with a Dorset twist

The Blue Pool is nestled in woodland between Wareham and Corfe Castle, feeling quietly tucked away. It’s a privately managed nature reserve with well-maintained paths winding through heathland and around the pool. The lake is known for changing colour, sometimes deep blue, sometimes green, depending on the light and the mineral content of the clay beneath.

Dogs are welcome on leads, and it’s an easy, relaxed circular walk rather than a strenuous hike. The terrain is comfortable underfoot, making it ideal if you want something gentler or if the coastal paths feel a bit exposed. Our dog loved this as a puppy, and we still bring him back here. It’s a lovely woodland walk with a bridge that crosses the pool, which sparkles blue on a summer’s day.

There’s a tearoom with outdoor seating where dogs are welcome, and the overall setting feels calm, well-kept and unspoiled. Very Famous Five!

Thorncombe Wood & Hardy’s Cottage (Near Dorchester)

Woodland trails and Thomas Hardy country

For a longer woodland walk, we park at Thorncombe Wood Nature Reserve, just outside Dorchester. From here, you can follow a network of wide, circular trails through mixed woodland and open glades. It’s peaceful, well signposted, and easy to tailor to the length you want.

This area is part of Thomas Hardy country, and a short walk from the reserve takes you to Hardy’s Cottage, his birthplace, now managed by the National Trust. Even if you don’t go inside, passing the thatched cottage adds a touch of history to the walk.

The terrain is softer than the coast and offers good summer shade. It’s particularly good if you have a dog that prefers woodland to steep cliff paths.

We usually end our visit at the visitor centre café for coffee and cake before heading back.

Lulworth Cove & Durdle Door

More walking options than most realise

Yes, it’s popular — and for a good reason.

From Lulworth Cove, you can tailor the walk to suit energy levels.

For something moderate, walk around the cove and take the wooden steps up onto the coast path halfway along. Head left along the coast path (it does get a little steep) and loop back towards the village, descending opposite the main car park.

Afterwards, there are plenty of food options. The Lulworth Cove Inn, Finley Café and the Boat Shed are all great places to stop.

For more energetic dogs, climb the main steps from the car park towards Man O’ War Beach and continue on to Durdle Door. There are plenty of steps, but once you reach the limestone arch and the open beach, it feels worth the effort.

 We recommend visiting early in the morning or later in the day to avoid peak crowds.

Sutton Poyntz, Weymouth to the White Horse

Sutton Poyntz is one of Dorset’s prettiest villages, with a small stream running through it and cottages clustered around the pond.

From the village, climb towards the Osmington White Horse, a huge chalk hill figure carved in 1808 to honour King George III, who frequently visited Weymouth.

The ascent is steady, and the descent requires care, yet the views extend across Weymouth Bay and the surrounding countryside.

We usually finish at The Springhead pub for Sunday lunch, relaxed, welcoming and dog-friendly.

Staying Close to the Best Dog Walks in Dorset

Whether you’re here for a weekend or longer, Dorset offers endless routes for you and your dog to explore.

Our collection of [dog-friendly cottages in Dorset] is carefully curated so you’re never far from coastal paths, countryside trails, or a welcoming pub at the end of your walk. For us, a Dorset holiday isn’t complete without muddy paws, fresh air, and somewhere comfortable to come back to.