WARNING : Fairly lengthy sections are along overgrown paths with chest high nettles and brambles (in mid June). Not a day for shorts.

CHIDEOCK is some 20 miles west of Dorchester, along the A35. In the middle of the village is a staggered cross roads, where you turn left into Duck Street (S.P. Seatown) The sign is on a post on the right hand side of the road. The street becomes a narrow lane with passing places, eventually ending in a carpark close to the sea.

Impressive view of Golden Cap to the west, and also a very conveniently placed pub.

Go eastwards from the carpark to cross stile a short way uphill (N.T. Ridge Cliff).Instead of bashing straight uphill, go slightly left of copse where the path becomes a green track. Round hill to reach another stile. Ahead is Doghouse Hill, but avoid climbing this directly by going left round side of hill (but not along the track which goes away close to a fence). The path becomes clearer, and eventually you see the beacon post of Thorncombe Beacon, so make for this ,passing another stile on the way.

Pause to enjoy the view from the Beacon, which is nearly as high as Golden Cap.Then head north, passing a tumulus to your left. Over stile (S.P. Eype Down), path leads downhill alongside wood then enters wood over stile by steel gate.Keep left up grassy track heading north. The path swings east, then shortly reach a fork ,where you take the lefthand path which is narrow and unimportant looking, but a few yards on there is a waymarked post to confirm your route.The path then heads north over Eype (pronounced 'eep') Down, with thick bracken on all sides. Reach a four way sign, and here turn left (S.P. Quarry Hill, Chideock). Path meanders downhill through more bracken, but there are no side paths to cause confusion.

Come out on to a busy main road (A 35) and cross over, looking out for fast moving traffic.Head north (S.P. Quarr lane), first along tarred lane then on earth path into wood. Ignore sign of footpath to your left just 50 yds up from the road.Some sections of the path are now overgrown, but you soon reach a 'cross roads'. Hell Lane to your left would soon bring you to North Chideock, but continue straight on (S.P. Axen). The narrow overgrown path continues, with chest high nettles, and a few brambles for good measure. You next pass a grassy path on your right leading to Axen farm, and a short distance further on see a bridleway sign for North Chideock (G.R. 432944) on your left. The planned path however goes straight on, and it was my intention to continue past Denhay hill to Coppet hill for extensive views over Marshwood vale to the north.

However the unpleasant conditions continued (plus plenty of mud), so I abandoned that part and retraced my steps to the bridleway point described above. Through the gate then and steeply downhill, passing to the right of a small copse, to pass a water trough. Pass a second trough, then turn left by isolated tree, to make for a stile set in distant hedge.Over the stile into a grassy field (no visible path) and head downhill to corner of field which has two dead looking trees there. Round this corner and the next stile comes into view. Over this then head for a steel gate to the left of farm buildings. By the gate is a stile, so cross this, then over lane to cross second stile.

Head uphill to right hand corner of field to go over another stile. Then go along right hand side of field to join gravel track which enters wood to come out on to country road. Turn left here and soon enter Chideock village. Turn left on reaching the main street by the church, and head downhill. As you begin to go uphill, and before you reach the 'Chimneys' Guest House, cross road to join footpath (S.P. Seatown) down side of white house- 'Rose Cottage'. It is then an easy path back to the carpark.

It might be easier tackling this walk at times when the undergrowth is not so prolific, but long sections are likely to be very muddy.

For ways to enjoy the views from Golden Cap without too much effort, see ODDNOTES

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