Chidor two

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Chidor here.

NOTE: ADD PHOTO LAYER TO MAP, TO SEE LOCATIONS ALONG THE ROUTE >>
Two stars for the first half of this route, four stars for the second half.

I walked this route from Dorchester to Chickerell on 2 hot and sunny days.

This route can be neatly broken into 2 halves; the first half a tedious route out of Dorchester on the B3144 and A354.

The first major obstacle is the Station Roundabout. This roundabout may be dangerous for cyclists, but it has pedestrian refuges and is ok to cross for walkers (although it may be a good idea to get this part out of the way as early in the day as possible). If you are walking out of Dorchester, cross the roundabout on the left/eastern side to stay on the shared cycle/pedestrian path.

This part of the walk is long and noisy, stay on the left of the path as cyclists can appear behind you. It’s an uphill part of the walk until you get to the bridge that crosses the A354.

Follow the path over the bridge and a footpath sign will guide you to a higher path 10 metres above the road. This is the Jubilee Way; it greets you with the best view looking over Upwey and onto Portland and the sea.

This old path leads down into Upwey and Broadwey turning right on to a footpath, just before Higher Manor Farm. You’ll walk alongside field boundaries before a sharp left turn, this part of the walk takes you onto the Nottington road. This part is short but keep your eyes peeled for cars.

Keep walking past houses and a sharp left turn will tell you that you are about to leave the road. The footpath sign is difficult to see in this direction, but you’ll turn right into a Caravan and Camping site.

Follow the permissive path on the left, you will come to paths with fences on either side – you can’t help but go in the right direction.
Note: we did walk in a field with horses, but they weren’t interested in us at all.

There are multiple stiles on this part of the route, all are well maintained, as are the paths. The paths have been cleared, but in high summer nettles and brambles are par for the course. The worst part was a short 100 metre stretch that did catch our ankles (trousers may be an idea just for this part!).

There are some undulating field boundaries to walk along but the only problem on the last stretch into Chickerell, when our path was blocked by a locked gate. It has been reported, but if it is still blocked, walk back 20 metres and turn right, following the hedge that leads to Lower Putton Lane (as per the gpx file).

This lane take you to a crossroads – cross the road and continue walking until you get to the Post Office end point.

Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.