DISCOVER THE BEST TRAIL RUNNING ROUTES IN DORSET
NO ADVENTURE UNLESS
Explore the scenic beauty of Dorset's Purbecks, Studland Bay, and Jurassic Coast with Madmule's top trail running routes. With Strava links to guide you, you'll experience the best that the area has to offer. Benefit from our local knowledge acquired over hundreds of hours of training. Lace up your shoes and hit the trails today.
Aggle 8
Sandy. Undulating. Historic. Spectacular views. Fun.
Summary: a 5 min ferry crossing flicks the switch from suburban to urban, infrastructure to natural surroundings. The heather walk makes for a pleasant change from trudging the beachfront, especially when the tide is in. With a gradual climb to the Agglestone, it's a flowing sandy track back to the ferry. If time is short, go straight to the ferry at 7.1 miles instead of crossing back into the Heather walk section. A fun session in the dark with many eyes of the wildlife getting lit and peering back.
Terrain underfoot: Sand, gravel, heathland
Roads: 400m connecting section through Studland village
Road Crossings: Manor road @ 3 miles, Studland village store across main road @3.3 miles. Ferry road @ 7.1 miles.
Elevation: Undulating steady climb to viewpoint from 2.5-4.5 miles
Sights of interest: Heather walk inland dune trail, WW2 D-Day landing viewing bunkers (2.8 miles), Studland village church and grounds (3.1 miles) 11th century, Agglestone Rock (4.9 miles).
Wildlife: Deer, sand lizards and silver studded blue butterflies 🦋 to name a few
Difficulty navigation: 2/5
Difficulty underfoot: 2/5
Difficulty terrain: 2/5
After several days of rain, some of the tracks on the flat heath get saturated so do not expect to keep the hooves dry. Regular trail shoes suffice and road shoes are ok after dry spells of weather.
Refreshments: National Trust cafe and Studland village shop.
Parking: side roads of Sandbanks (charges applicable), bike racks for locking beside chain ferry.
Ferry costs: £1 to "paytheferryman"
Madmule rating: Casual Trot n Canter
Not sure what trails to start on or what options you have locally near Poole and Bournemouth? Get in touch with Madmule. 👍
1 Madmule
Ridge-high 10
Steady climbs. Firm trails.
Open country
Summary: Look over Old Harry Rocks, With a severe drop from the imposing landmark that is the Swanage Water Obelisk that sits between 2 of the biggest climbs available on this Eastern edge of the Purbeck hills.The loop returns through a path known as "Franks Tank", traversing the picturesque Studland golf course. Challenging ascents, great vistas of the whole of the Purbeck Isle and a pub to start and finish from. Hoofing. 😁
Terrain underfoot: Grass, stony track, bridleways and heathland trail
Roads: 100m Manor Road to connect from start. 600m Burnbake lane B road no pavement. 400m Heath Green Road Studland Village to connect to finish.
Road Crossings: Ulwell Road (3.9 miles), New Road (6.4 miles) Swanage Rd (10.2 miles)
Elevation: A deceptive climb up the grassy hillside of Barrowdown (3.2km/ 400ft), and one of Madmules favourites of Godlingston Hill (1km/ 450 ft)
Wildlife: Buzzards and hawks hovering as they hunt on the windy ridgelines.
Difficulty navigation: 2/5
Difficulty underfoot: 2/5
Difficulty terrain: 3/5
It is very exposed on top of the ridgeways. Be sure to have a windproof if it's a 'blustery' day
Refreshments: The route starts and finishes at the Bankes Arms
Parking: National Trust Car park - charges apply
Not sure what trails to start on or what options you have locally near Poole and Bournemouth? Get in touch with Madmule. 👍
2 Madmules
Trail de Corfe
Gob smacker. Challenging. Inspiring.
Breath taking (taker) 👍
Summary: One of our original and favourite 9 mile loops. Corfe Castle, views of Kimmeridge Bay, the majestic Swyre head overlooking the Jurassic coast, Kingston village and Corfe common, this route packs a punchy cocktail of hills and key landmarks of the Purbeck region
Terrain underfoot: Grass, stony track, fields and heathland trail
Roads: 300m Kimmeridge Lane to connect to Swyre Head trail, can be busy. 1.2km West Street to connect to Kingston, a very quiet farm road.
Road Crossings: Tyenham road (0.2 & 3 miles)
Elevation: Straight Into the steep slope overlooking Corfe Castle and lift calmly along towards Ridgeway Hill. The 2nd ascent is to the viewpoint of Swyre head.
Wildlife: Lots of livestock, the occasional deer, and some of the biggest hares on the planet!
Difficulty navigation: 3/5
Difficulty underfoot: 2/5
Difficulty terrain: 3/5
Refreshments: Corfe village, Kimmeridge village and Kingston Village
Parking: National Trust Car park - charges apply
Not sure what trails to start on or what options you have locally near Poole and Bournemouth? Get in touch with Madmule. 👍
2 Madmules
BLUEBELL BIMBLE
Forest trails, full of bluebells.
Ideal for a walk, hilly hike or training ground for your next ultra. The route shown is for a trail walk, the Eastern edge wonders through the Bluebell coppices of Blandford Forest. How may Madmules all depends on your goals. With an offering of 500ft ascents at 15%+ it is a perfect arena for Madmule ultra training. At the same time, a leisurely family walk, absorbing all that this amazing landscape has to offer.
2 Madmules
Trail de Arish Mell
Difficult
Take the less beaten path to start and finish on this Lulworth Ranges EPIC
10 mile session.
Park in the quaint village of East Lulworth, near the Past and Present Gift shop and cafe. A short 200m road section leads you to the main entrance to Lulworth Castle. On the opposite side of the road is the entrance to the ranges and the beginning of this 100% trail journey. Arish Mell translates to 'Buttock Mill' - a rounded hill and mill.
The route shown can be played around with depending on the distance and climb you want to experience. Go further West to drop into Lulworth Village. Go further East to traverse into Kimmeridge Village. It is not a well known route to get onto the coast path as visitors to Lulworth are encouraged to bypass East Lulworth. There are cows grazing in the ranges as you approach the main coast path section.
4 Madmules
Pay the conductor and the ferryman
Point to point adventure trailing
One for the experienced and purist. Hop on a train from Parkstone, Poole to Weymouth. Run back to the Sandbanks Ferry. Simple.
The route shown is the shortest way. 28 miles and 4000ft of undulating Coastal and Ridgeways to endure.
Point to note the last ferry is 11pm and the first is 7am, always check before departing that it is running!. Depending on the time of day, the only external water points are at Kimmeridge Bay and Corfe castle. You will pass Osmington Mills, Lulworth, Kimmeridge, Corfe and Studland Village, all of which have cafes, pubs and/or village shops. Point to point, it's an excellent way to challenge the self supporting system and develops confidence in ones ability to self manage the pace and nutrition.
5 Madmules
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