Follow the valley of the River Stour through the heart of the Blackmore Vale. Circle the edge of the meadows beneath Sturminster Newton before crossing the Victorian Colber Bridge. Climb out of the Stour valley before dropping into the valley of the River Divelish, its name deriving from its dark waters rather than anything devilish. Weave through old lanes connecting a landscape once home to farms and brickworks, now faded back into the countryside. Cross the site of a forgotten Victorian rifle range before rejoining Stalbridge Lane and discovering the lost medieval farmstead of Colber. Skim the remains of the old railway on the return to Sturminster Newton, finishing beside the mill on the banks of the Stour.
Distance: 4miles/6.5km
Time: 2 hours
Ability: Easy.
Max height: 225ft
Min height: 158ft
Total climb: 235ft
Terrain: Tracks, paths, fields, and roads.
Start Point: Sturminster Newton Mill. (Postcode: DT10 2JQ, Grid Reference: ST782134, What Three Words: asked.lock.trick).
Map: OS Explorer 117 Cerne Abbas and Bere Regis
How to get there: Leave Sturminster Newton by crossing over the River Stour and turn right. Take the next right-hand turn and bear left to find the car park for the mill.
Dogs: On leads where livestock is present and in accordance with any notices on the walk and The Countryside Code.
Toilets: Available at the Mill Car Park
Refreshments: The Bull, at Sturminster Bridge, The Swan in Sturminster Newton, The Green Man in King’s Stag and The Trooper in Stourton Caundle
Neighbouring Walks: The Swan, The North Dorset Trailway, The Bull, Fifehead Neville, Rolls Mill, King’s Stag, Thornhill and Kings Mill.
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