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Routes
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United Kingdom
England
South West England
Dorset
West Dorset
Puddletown

Thomas Hardy's Cottage – Puddletown Forest loop from Athelhampton and Puddletown

Routes
Hiking trails & Routes
United Kingdom
England
South West England
Dorset
West Dorset
Puddletown

Thomas Hardy's Cottage – Puddletown Forest loop from Athelhampton and Puddletown

Moderate

4.7

(7)

18

hikers

Thomas Hardy's Cottage – Puddletown Forest loop from Athelhampton and Puddletown

02:07

7.63km

130m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: April 16, 2026

Waypoints

A

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

1

1.36 km

Dorset Singletrack Trail

Highlight • MTB Park

Go looking and you will find some of the best riding in this area. What it is lacking in elevation it makes up for in technicality

Tip by

2

3.42 km

Actually you're supposed to not cycle through Duddle Heath, due to fear of cyclists coming off the track here and disturbing wildlife, nesting birds, vegetation etc. Regeneration of the heathland etc

Tip by

3

3.58 km

Rushy Pond

Highlight • Lake

An important watering hole for wildlife and the resident Dartmoor ponies, Rushy Pond buzzes with dragonflies and damselflies, whilst the pond’s surface is often disturbed by a newt surfacing for air or a grass snake on the hunt.
nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/hardys-cottage/things-to-see-and-do-at-hardys-cottage

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4

4.40 km

Hardy's Cottage

Highlight • Cafe

If you are a Thomas Hardy enthusiast this is a must - the small cottage where he was born and grew up, writing his early novels. The garden is large …

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5

4.90 km

Thomas Hardy's Cottage

Highlight • Historical Site

Built in 1800, this stunning thatched cottage was the birthplace of the famous writer, Thomas Hardy. Built by his great-grandfather, Hardy lived here for over 30 years and wrote some …

Tip by

5.56 km

tumulus

Archaeological Site

7

7.04 km

Puddletown Forest

Highlight • Trail

Puddletown Woods in Dorset offers Mountain Bikers lots of short natural singletracks, downhill sections, crazy jumps even a sort of 4X track.

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B

7.63 km

End point

Bus stop

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Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

7.20 km

406 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

2.99 km

1.88 km

1.74 km

621 m

271 m

135 m

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Elevation

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (120 m)

Lowest point (70 m)

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Weather

Powered by Foreca

Tuesday 19 May

17°C

11°C

48 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 27.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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