A circular walk to the north of Cerne Abbas, about 8 miles in length. There are a few short stretches, which except after long dry spells, are either muddy or very muddy. A particularly clinging, gluey, deep mud which could easily trap your wellies ! And too deep for anyone wearing shoes. But dont let me put you off - come properly shod and the mucky bits are soon passed.

From the main street of Cerne Abbas leave to the east by Long Street (S.P.Buckland Newton). As you emerge from under dense overhanging branches, find room to park on the right hand side of the road. (Dont park in the village, at least in the summer - there's not much space). Start your walk up signposted track on the opposite side of the road. Through a metal gate on to grassy track which swings right to climb steadily up the side of the hill. You are soon in to the deep muddy bits, but further up the conditions improve and you emerge in the open. Pause at the top to look back to Cerne Abbas in the valley, and then continue with a wire fence to your left.

Through a metal gate then immediately left through another gate, then straight across the field toward a clump of trees. Turn right just by metal storage barn keeping close to left hand side of field. Carry on for about 1/4 mile, then left through gate (Marker 'Wessex Ridgeway'). Downhill to next gate, where you turn right toward gorse bushes. Soon see metal gate ahead leading into field,but avoid this by keeping left into wood and through very tatty wooden gate. Walk into woods and where fence goes right toward the road, keep on through the wood. When you emerge, swing right as if going for the road,(G.R. 673036) but after going through gate turn sharp left to walk along field with fence close to your left.

Soon reach a gravel track where you turn left. Past radio aerial, then downhill and next left over stile by rusty gate. Forward over next stile in corner of field to head downhill to emerge on to main road by cottage. Here turn left, and in about 150 yds turn right uphill (S.P.Evershot). Continue on this road for nearly two miles, passing the Batcombe picnic site (Extensive views north over Blackmore Vale). Shortly after reach a road junction (S.P. Batcombe to your right G.R. 635038), and here you turn left up a gravel path (S.P.Bridleway). This path eventually comes out on to a wide gravel track where you turn left. In a few yards the track swings right, but you keep straight on, by the left hand edge of a large field. Soon see a waymark arrow pointing to the left. Ignore this one. Go straight on towards a clump of trees on the skyline, ignoring another arrow pointing to the right. Continue downhill, now on an open field with a scruffy hedge to your right. Past the clump of trees and head downhill to go between more trees to come out on to a minor road. Here go straight ahead for Cerne Abbas. When you reach the Giant viewpoint the main road swings right, but you take the left hand road to bring you into the village. Up the main street and out at the east end to shortly reach your car.

If you have planned your times right there are two excellent pubs in the village.

The 15th Century front Porch, with impressive oriel window, is all that remains of the Benedictine Abbey founded in AD 987.

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