5 of the best running routes in Dorset with picturesque views
- gaymen2
- May 25
- 3 min read
5 of the best running routes in Dorset
with picturesque views
Dorset is known as the most beautiful county in the UK with its Jurasic Coast, beautiful country side and pretty villages, and has more thatched roofs than anywhere else in the UK, and has the only men only sexual, self and spiritual development retreat anywhere in the county. That being Hamilton Hall. A large part of Dorset - Hengisbury head below and all of Bournemouth, was originally in Hampshire and when the boundaries were moved, Bournemouth went into Dorset as Dorset needed a big town with a big income to help pay the maintenance of the countryside. Bournemouth is the Number One Holiday Destination on the south coast and has great style and class, compared to Brightom or Torquay and - naturally - as I live here, I am biased. It hosts many Japanese and Chinese gardens and for the gardener, the area is the best for all year round milder weather and where many plants and flowers that would die off in the winter, don't down here and flower all year... it's a gardeners dream.
Hengistbury Head
The Hengistbury Head route offers great views of the sea (Image: Roben Neal/AllTrails)
Full route details and a map can be found on the AllTrails website here.
Located between Bournemouth and Christchurch, Hengistbury Head is well-known for offering picturesque views of the nearby sea.
This 5.8km route that goes over the headland and back round via the beach shouldn't take too long for experienced runners but the change in elevation might pose a slight challenge.
Nonetheless, it is a very scenic route that is great for a bright day.
Worth Matravers, Winspit, and St. Aldhelms Head Circular
The route takes in plenty of coastal cliffs
Full route details and a map can be found on the AllTrails website here.
Starting off at Worth Matravers this route makes it all the way along to the coast before circling back round.
Overall, it is 7.4km in length and takes in many "beautiful and craggy coastal cliffs" according to the profile.
There are also historic sights along the shoreline to notice as part of this "spectacular and wonderful circular route".
Weymouth Esplanade and Lodmoor Reserve
Full route details and a map can be found on the Great Runs website here.
This 8.3km route starts along Weymouth's "sweeping harbour" where runners will make their way north along the Esplanade promenade path.
After that, runners will complete a loop of Lodmoor Nature Reserve "which has scenic paths passing a large reedbed, open water, saltmarsh, and wet grassland".
The route is then finished with runners retracing their steps to the start point.
Golden Cap & the South West Coast Path
The Golden Cap route can offer some great views
Full route details and a map can be found on the Komoot website here.
At just over 10km this run taking in Golden Cap and the South West Coast Path is recommended for intermediate runners with a good level of fitness.
Some sure-footedness is required and the paths can be quite steep at points but the views on offer can be quite spectacular.
Poole Holes Bay Path
Full route details and a map can be found on the Great Runs website here.
Similar in style to the Weymouth Esplanade route is the Poole Holes Bay Path.
Starting off near Poole Quay, runners will go through the town and head around Holes Bay to reach Upton Park.
This route allows for views of the natural harbour and park environments to be taken in.
Overall, the route is 5.3km long, but if you want to head back the way you came you can make it more than 10km for a more substantial challenge.
If you are coming down for a few days,
check out our SPECIAL OFFERS
at Hamilton Hall Hotel.
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