Wessex Ridgeway

  • Dorset Council sign post 12Aug22 (Tim Lewis)

The walking, cycling and horse riding trail offers vistas and breath taking views far beyond. The majority of the route straddles a long chalk ridge but in places is broken up by small rounded hills and secluded valleys. Each section of the trail has its own unique identity and its delights to explore.

The majority of the route follows the top of a ridge but there are some sections which are steep, particularly when dropping down into the chalk valleys and back up again. The surface of the trail varies from hard-surfaced track ways and sunken lanes to grassy or arable fields. There are also a few sections on the road.

The trail in Dorset is signed using round discs (waymarks) with an image of a Wyvern, a two-legged dragon associated with the ancient kingdom of Wessex. From the Dorset boundary the Wessex Ridgeway continues onto Marlborough. Follow the link to obtain a trail guide with lots more information about the Wessex Ridgeway in Dorset. More details of the section Wiltshire are available on the LDWA website.