Ferndown, Stour and Forest Trail

10 miles (16 km)

This nice easy circular walk starts and finishes in Ferndown, first taking you through Ferndown Forest to Longham where you will pass the pretty Longham Lakes.
You then join the River Stour for a pleasant waterside stretch taking you to Dudsbury before heading around Holmwood Park and finishing in Ferndown.
Just to the north of Ferndown the route skirts the Holt Heath National Nature Reserve where there's a series of good walking trails and lots of interesting flora and fauna to see.
You'll also pass through Ferndown Common where there's pretty heather and a Bronze age barrow to see.
The popular Castleman Trailway links with the route in Ferndown Forest. This shared cycling and walking trail runs along a dismantled railway line from Ringwood to Poole.

Ferndown, Stour and Forest Trail Ordnance Survey Map - view and print off detailed OS map

Ferndown, Stour and Forest Trail Open Street Map - view and print off detailed map

Ferndown, Stour and Forest Trail OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Ferndown, Stour and Forest Trail Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Just to the west of the trail there's the picturesque town of Wimborne where you can visit the historic Wimborne Minster and enjoy more river trails. The National Trust's Kingston Lacy and the pretty village of Pamphill can also be visited near here.
The expansive Hurn Forest lies a few miles to the east.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Dorset Walks page.