I quite agree with the previous review (which in itself tempted me to do this walk while briefly visiting the area)....

Mockymock

From Nottington there are 2 short road walking sections which meant the end wasn't so much fun. Walking through the village is fine, but then there is a short section of road walking, which isn't awful, but it's a bit of a let down after the beginning of the route. The road isn't that busy, visibility is good, and there are verges, so it's ok, but not fun....

Helen Gough

The route takes you out of Dorchester along tree lined residential avenues, and as soon as you leave town the view is dominated by the immense Maiden Castle, an iron age hill Fort. The route has been plotted along the field edge, but there is a well maintained wide path through the crops, so that's a minor plotting error. I missed one gate at Portesham Hill, as the route isn't quite aligned with the footpath there....

Helen Gough

Some people would probably find this route a bit dull, because of the lanes, and because you don't get the views that generally accompany a walk in Dorset, but as a way to get from Maiden Newton to Dorchester you can't fault it....

Helen Gough

For me it’s a real Slow ways walk: from A to B on quiet roads / paths, but no long detours. It feels like walking in the old days: going to town is something you do on foot....

pmostert

This part of the walk is long and noisy, stay on the left of the path as cyclists can appear behind you. You’ll walk alongside field boundaries before a sharp left turn, this part of the walk takes you onto the Nottington road. 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)...

Lynn Jackson

In the final descent, after Black Hill, look for the gate with the sign post (picture 3)....

pmostert

Downside is that depending on the season and the crops, paths can be narrow, moved or lost; see picture....

pmostert

It is a beautiful countryside route, only on paved roads at the very beginning and the final kilometers....

pmostert

To my understanding dormil 1 and dormil 2 follow the same route....

pmostert

It's a pleasant route through Thomas Hardy's country....

pmostert

The first part of the current route [Dorchester - Upwey] has two major issues:....

pmostert

It is a pleasant, quiet, easy accessible and direct route, connecting the railway stations of Maiden Newton and Dorchester-West. The route mainly follows the Frome Valley Cycle Trail and is mainly on paved roads....

pmostert

Many of the paths are narrow, following field edges, mostly arable but some inquisitive cattle and horses encountered. A section of the route climbing the ridge between Three Cornered Coppice and the ridge above Muston Manor is unmarked across an arable field, so best to follow field edges....

Slowgrey