Poole offers beautiful beaches, open countryside, heathland, nature reserves, formal parks, gardens and a vibrant, historic town centre.

We offer several free guided walks, which take place around Poole every week.

You can also check out the Walks 4 Softies website which has some good walking routes in Poole.

Rotary 5 Quays Walk

The Rotary 5 Quays Walk of Poole is a suggested route featuring Poole's attractions, many along the waterside. This walk was surveyed alongside the Rotary Club of Poole Bay, and takes around an hour and a half.

The route can be found on the Town Centre walking map.

Long distance walks

The E9

This long-distance walk between Dover and Plymouth is routed along the beach in Poole and links both to the continent via Poole Ferry Port and the South West Coast Path via the chain ferry between the Sandbanks Peninsular and Studland.

The Castlemen Trailway

This route follows much of the disused Southampton to Dorchester railway line. It provides a pleasant off-road link between Upton Country Park in Poole and Wimborne.

The route can be found on the Long Distance Walkers Association website.

The Cockle Trail

This walk around the Old Town part of Poole and takes approximately 1 1/2 hours. The trail was opened in 1998 to celebrate the 750th anniversary of Poole's first charter. Walkers can follow the numbered brass plates set into the ground. The start of the walk (no. 1) is at the Fish Shambles on Poole Quay.

The route can be found on the Poole Cockle Trail guide.

Poole Faith Trail

The Poole Faith Trail leaflet is now available at the Welcome Centre, Poole Museum, and at many of the local churches both in the Old Town and beyond. It traces historic sites of faith, religion and heritage across the area, including the Seaman’s mission.

The route can be found on the Poole Faith Trail map.

South West Coast Path

The South West Coast Path National Trail begins at South Haven Point in Studland and follows the coastline for 630 miles until it reaches Minehead. The pathway passes through Dorset, Devon and Cornwall.

For further information, visit The South West Coast Path website or call them on 01752 896 237.