Cerne Valley Trail

Summary

The Cerne Valley Trail is a walking route in Dorset which heads north from Dorchester on the east side of the River Cerne to High Stoy, Dogbury, and the river’s confluence with the River Frome, before returning to Dorchester on the west side of the river. The eastern outward leg of the route visits Charminster, Charlton Down, Forston, Godmanstone, Nether Cerne, and Cerne Abbas. The walk continues past the Cerne Giant, possibly Britain’s most famous chalk hill figure. On the return leg, the trail passes through Minterne Park to Minterne Magna, where visitors can enjoy Minterne House and Gardens, a beautiful country house featuring a renowned Himalayan Garden. From Minterne Magna, the walk climbs out of the valley via East Hill, Up Cerne Wood, and Ramshorn Hill to Gore Hill, which at 265 metres is the highest point of the walk and a perfect spot for a picnic on a warm summer’s day. After Gore Hill, the Wessex Ridgeway is followed south via Redpost Hill, Ball’s Hill, Buckland Hill, Large Bar Hill, Ridge Hill, and Crete Hill to Watcombe Bottom, from where the path leads back along Charminster Down to Charminster and onwards to Dorchester.