Melbury Downs Circular Walk

Walking the Melbury Downs Circular Trail will take you through some rolling hills, some of which are fairly steep. Be sure to wear proper walking boots and bring walking poles to help with stability while traversing the undulating terrain. Additionally, the terrain here can be quite wet and soggy after a good rainfall, so water-resistant shoes are also recommended depending on the conditions. There is also a good chance that you will encounter livestock along your walk, so try to keep your dog on a leash at all times.

While it might not be located along the famous Jurassic Coast, the Melbury Downs Circular Walk will allow you to experience another of Dorset’s well known features, the chalk downs. These hills create a beautifully scenic rolling landscape that are excellent for exploring, so strap on your boots and get ready for a fun adventure in the southwest of England.

Setting out from the trailhead, you will make your way to the northwest along the top of the hillside and enjoy the scenic views that extend out across the undulating landscape. After reaching the viewpoint atop Melbury Beacon, the trail will loop around and begin to take you down the steep terrain of the chalk downs in a southern direction.

Eventually, you will make your way past a number of buildings, including a small church, before continuing on to the charming village of Compton Abbas. Turning to the southeast, you will begin to make your way up the steep hillside, where you will enjoy some more scenic views of the rolling hills. Here, the trail will bend to the northeast and lead you across the hilltop on the return to the car park where you started the Melbury Downs Circular Walk.