Hilfield

From one of the most prominent ridges in the county, visible from the Purbecks to Glastonbury Tor, explore a mystical landscape. Weave through the trees that crown the summit before dropping into the Blackmore Vale and the Friary of St Francis. Wander woodland once home to a hermit and follow the River Wriggle to Hilfield, where an isolated 13th-century church is decorated with treasures from the fallen Cerne Abbey. Climb Batcombe Down, passing mighty earthworks, to sweeping views across the vale and carpets of bluebells in the woods, where stories of sorcery and magic have left their mark.

Distance: 4miles/6.5km

Time: 2-3hrs

Ability: Medium, some steep climbs and tough terrain.

Max height: 875ft

Min height: 400ft

Total climb: 520ft

Terrain: Tracks, paths, fields, and roads. Permissive paths through Hilfield Nature Reserve and St Francis Friary (the paths only open at the Friary during their open hours)

Start Point: Hilfield Nature Reserve (restricted width of 2.2 metres), other laybys nearby. (Postcode: DT2 7BE, Grid Reference: ST636039, What Three Words: technical.recorders.loud).

Map: OS Explorer 117 Cerne Abbas and Bere Regis

How to get there: Travel north on Long Ash Lane (A37) from Dorchester for about 9 miles. Turn right, just after the Geroge Albert Hotel, following the road to a T-junction. Turn right along the ridge to pass the turning to Batcombe. The car park can be found on the left just after the turning to Hilfield.

Dogs: On leads where livestock is present and in accordance with any notices on the walk and The Countryside Code.

Refreshments: None on route but nearby is The Hunter’s Inn in Middlemarsh, The Gaggle of Geese in Buckland Newton and a number of options are in Cerne Abbas.

Neighbouring Walks:  Batcombe, Hermitage, Lyon’s Gate, Up Cerne, and Up Sydling.