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Poole Harbour Trail

39.77 miles (64 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This 40 mile circular walk explores the area around Poole Harbour, the second largest natural harbour in the world. It's a varied walk with coastal paths, riverside trails, nature reserves, country parks and heathland to enjoy.
The walk starts on Poole Quay where there's a marina with fine views over to Brownsea Island. The route then heads north following a shared cycling and walking trail around Holes Bay to Upton Country Park. There's some lovely parkland and gardens to see in this historic estate.
The next stage takes you through Hamworthy, passing Rockley Sands Holiday Park and the Ham Common Nature Reserve where there are some good bird watching opportunities.
You continue through Lytchett Minster and Turlin Moor before a woodland section through Gore Heath.
The route then heads through the attractive town of Wareham where you can enjoy walks along the River Frome and the Purbeck Way long distance trail.
The next stage take you through the wildlife rich Stoborough Heath National Nature Reserve where you can take a detour to visit Arne Nature Reserve. The reserve is another good spot for wildlife with a herd of deer to see.
The route then explores the expansive Hartland Moor and Rempstone Heath where there's a network of footpaths and cycleways to try.
The trail eventually comes out near the Little Sea on Studland Heath Nature Reserve. Follow the trails north across the reserve and it will take you to the chain ferry where you can cross over to the Sandbanks side. You'll then follow roads around the harbour to Parkstone Bay and Baiter Park before arriving back at the quay.

Poole Harbour Trail OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Poole Harbour Trail Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Photos

Poole Harbour, The Quay - geograph.org.uk - 3269480

Poole Harbour, The Quay

Bench on Ham Common, Poole (1784)

Bench on Ham Common, Poole

Holes Bay - geograph.org.uk - 3631614

Holes Bay

Upton Country Park (2469)

Upton Country Park

The River Frome, Wareham - geograph.org.uk - 2241008

The River Frome, Wareham

Hartland Moor, track - geograph.org.uk - 3502216

Hartland Moor, track

Godlingston Heath - Footpath 32 towards Newton Heath - geograph.org.uk - 288361

Godlingston Heath

Sandbanks ferry near poole england

Sandbanks ferry

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Poole Harbour Trail.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)