Things to Do in Puddletown Forest
Puddletown Forest, a region nestled near Dorchester in Dorset, spans over 740 acres (300 hectares) and features a blend of coniferous and broadleaf trees. It lies on a ridge between the River Frome and River Piddle valleys, offering diverse topography with narrow, steep-sided valleys and scenic views from higher elevations. Remnants of heathland are still present, contributing to its varied landscape. This area provides opportunities for several sports like mountain biking, hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, and more.
Things to…
113
Routes
4.7
(214)
Average rating
1170
People visited
5.0
(2)
3
riders
46.4km
03:52
680m
680m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(5)
18
riders
50.1km
03:28
560m
560m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.5
(2)
16
riders
20.5km
01:39
190m
190m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(3)
9
riders
37.1km
02:57
480m
480m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(2)
174
riders
70.2km
03:20
810m
810m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
5.0
(1)
36
riders
38.2km
01:47
370m
370m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
17
riders
45.5km
01:53
250m
250m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
17
riders
37.1km
01:50
190m
190m
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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4.8
(8)
43
hikers
8.06km
02:07
70m
70m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.7
(7)
18
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(2)
27
hikers
11.0km
02:53
80m
80m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.9
(8)
23
hikers
9.67km
02:32
70m
70m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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43
runners
18.2km
01:56
120m
120m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
14
runners
11.0km
01:18
180m
180m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
9
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(2)
30
riders
37.5km
02:17
260m
260m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
23
riders
57.5km
03:35
600m
600m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.8
(12)
24
riders
26.8km
01:36
130m
130m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.8
(9)
18
riders
17.4km
01:02
90m
90m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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3
riders
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.0
(1)
3
riders
28.4km
02:02
310m
310m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
4
riders
43.0km
02:42
370m
370m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.0
(1)
2
riders
23.5km
01:41
210m
210m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Explore the region
Most popular attractions in Puddletown Forest
Nearby adventure guides
Natural areas to explore nearby
Frequently asked questions
What outdoor activities are available in Puddletown Forest?
Puddletown Forest offers opportunities for hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, jogging, and gravel biking. Historically, mountain biking was popular, but access is now restricted to public rights of way for cycling. The forest has more than 20 routes available for various activities.
Are there mountain biking trails in Puddletown Forest?
Mountain biking in Puddletown Forest is restricted to public rights of way for cycling. Forestry England has removed unauthorized trails and features to ensure safety and protect the environment. Users can find available routes in the MTB Trails in Puddletown Forest guide.
What kind of hiking trails are in Puddletown Forest?
Puddletown Forest provides miles of footpaths and marked trails suitable for various abilities, from easy strolls to more challenging climbs up Green Hill and Beacon Hill. Visitors can explore routes for nature spotting and dog walks. More information is available in the Hiking in Puddletown Forest guide.
Are there family-friendly activities in Puddletown Forest?
Puddletown Forest offers family-friendly activities such as easy strolls, nature spotting, and den building. There are also specific routes designed for families, including those found in the Family-friendly hikes in Puddletown Forest guide.
Can I bring my dog to Puddletown Forest?
Puddletown Forest is suitable for dog walks, with many footpaths and trails available. Visitors should ensure dogs are kept under control and follow any local signage regarding wildlife protection.
What cycling routes are available in Puddletown Forest?
Puddletown Forest offers an environment for both road and touring cycling, utilizing public rights of way and a comprehensive gravel road network. Routes incorporate historical landmarks and varied terrain. Guides like Road Cycling Routes in Puddletown Forest and Traffic-free bike rides in Puddletown Forest provide options.
What are the notable natural features in Puddletown Forest?
Puddletown Forest spans over 740 acres (300 hectares) with a blend of coniferous and broadleaf trees. It features diverse topography with narrow, steep-sided valleys. The Rhododendron Mile offers vibrant blooms in late spring and early summer.
What historical or literary connections does Puddletown Forest have?
The area contains eight Scheduled Ancient Monuments, including seven bowl barrows and sections of a Roman Road. Puddletown Forest is also linked to author Thomas Hardy, whose birthplace is nearby, and the landscape influenced his works.
How popular is Puddletown Forest on komoot?
Puddletown Forest features more than 20 routes on komoot, with over 31,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The routes have an average rating of 4.53 out of 5 stars.
Where can I find information about Puddletown Forest?
The official website for Puddletown Forest is forestryengland.uk/puddletown-forest. For general inquiries, the Hardy's Birthplace Visitor Centre, adjacent to the forest, can be contacted at 01305 251228.
Are there routes for beginners in Puddletown Forest?
Puddletown Forest offers trails suitable for various abilities, including easy strolls for hikers and comprehensive gravel road networks for cyclists. Many routes are accessible for those new to outdoor activities. Specific family-friendly options are also available.
What types of trees are found in Puddletown Forest?
Puddletown Forest is characterized by a blend of coniferous and broadleaf trees. This mix contributes to the varied visual appeal and ecological diversity of the woodland.
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