Friday 1 January 2016

A Hike around the Blackmore Vale



For many of us, the area we live in called the Blackmore Vale is a somewhat vague concept and means different things to different people. According to Wikipedia it is an area bounded by the Dorset Downs to the south, Cranborne Chase and a watershed between the Stour and Yeo valleys to the northwest. In open country in the centre of the region near Stalbridge, Sturminster Newton or Gillingham on a clear day, one can see ranges of hills surrounding the area which I thought might define it.

I therefore decided to try to walk these hills and so make my way round the Blackmore Vale and get a better idea of where it was..


Using a contour map, I planned my route try to follow tracks, country lanes and footpaths keeping above 100 metres where possible although inevitably one dips below this height crossing the Yeo at Sherborne, the Stour at Durweston and a few other places.

I ended up with an 80 mile route, starting at Okeford Hill along the Wessex Ridgeway to Buckland Newton then to Sherborne, Wincanton, Mere, Hindon, Ludwell, Shroton and back to Okeford Hill.

There are magnificent views from many places along the way including Okeford Hill, Bulbarrow Hill, Win Green, Hambledon Hill and Hod Hill.

The whole route is in very pretty countryside and there are lovely village such as Buckland Newton, Charlton Horethorne, Maperton, Penselwood, Tollard Royal and Ashmore


There are plenty of hills to climb but all should be manageable by most people of average fitness.


Full circuit GPX file for Smartphones GPS units etc

Full circuit KML file for Google Earth 



.
Like a spider, the route has 8 legs and details of these legs with descriptions, photos and GPS info are shown in other posts.

The legs are:
Okeford Hill - Buckland Newton
Buckland Newton - Sherborne
Sherborne - Wincanton
Wincanton - Mere
Mere - Hindon
Hindon - Ludwell
Ludwell - Shoton
Shroton - Okeford Hill


As with most blogs it starts with the newest post, so if you want to follow it in the order I did (shown above) start by reading the oldest post first.








Tuesday 29 December 2015

Shroton to Okeford Hill

29th December 2015

Walking Distance 7.6 miles

Description


The route is shorter than some but involves climbing Hambledon Hill, Hod Hill and Okeford Hill.

Starting from Shroton you climb Hambledon Hill along a track to reach the triangulation point. Hear you can see the main earthworks of Hambledon Hill to the right and Okefod Hill straight ahead. We take the left path which leads to a barn where you turn left down a steep path to reach the Child Okeford Road.

Crossing the road you then climb Hod Hill taking the path leading to the right about half way up. This leads you to the 'entrance' to the earthworks which you can follow round until you meet the path which leads down to Stourpaine at the opposite corner.

At the bottom of the path there is a pretty stream which you can follow to the village and get a good lunch at the White Horse. Past the church a footpath leads under the old railway line and then over the River Stour to Durweston Mill. From here a minor road leads up to the village of Durweston.

On the other side of the main road a footpath leads up through fields and woods to The Folly farm. Soon after that a track leads left into Blandford Forest and there a number of paths that will take you back to Okeford Hill.

Public Transport

The X10 runs between Okeford Fitzpaine and Blandford. The X9 runs between Blandford and Shroton.

Map


Downloadable Trails.
GPX files can downloaded and used in GPS units and Smartphone GPS apps. You can also download open it in www.bikehike.co.uk on bing maps to view on an OS map.

This may open in Google maps for viewing. A down arrow on the top left of the map should allow you to download the file. You can then open it in Google Earth and do a 'flying tour'

Profile
Looking back to Shroton from Hambledon Hill


Earthworks on Hamledon Hill with The Blackmore Vale beyond.


Looking across the Blackmore Vale. Hamledon Hill on the right and Okeford Hill on the Left

Hod Hill

Track leading down from Hambledon Hill

Earthworks on Hod Hill
Stream by the path to Stoupaine
Stourpaine Chrch
Railway Bridge between Stourpaine & Durweston



Durweston Mill
Pony sunk up to its knees in a field near Durweston ;-)
Path up from Durweston towards Okeford
View SE from clearing in Shillingstone Forest.

View from Okeford Hill







End of the Hike


Monday 12 October 2015

Ludwell to Shroton


12th October 2015. Walking Distance 13 miles

Description

From Ludwell a path opposite The Grove Arms leads south beside a watercress farm. Heading SE I gradually climbed up to Win Green with its glorious view in every direction but particularly north. From here you can continue on the Wessex Ridgeway to Tollard Royal but I chose the slightly longer Ox Drove route as it is higher and gives better views, particularly of the fine Ferne House, which despite appearances is quite modern. At Tollard Royal I stopped by the duck pond for a picnic lunch in some wonderful October sun, and then stopped for a beer at The King John. From here the path climbs out of the village and makes its way west to Ashmore with its pretty village pond. After this a good path leads south to Ashmore Wood and then West eventually to Shroton (Iwerne Minster) where you can always call in at The Cricketers

Public Transport

Damory 27 and 29 go between Shaftesbury and Ludwell, while the X9 goes between Shroton and Shaftesbury.


Map


Downloadable Trails.


Leg 7 GPX
GPX files can downloaded and used in GPS units and Smartphone GPS apps. You can also download open it in www.bikehike.co.uk on bing maps to view on an OS map.

Leg 7 KML
This may open in Google maps for viewing. A down arrow on the top left of the map should allow you to download the file. You can then open it in Google Earth and do a 'flying tour'


Profile



Photos

Heading south from Ludwell

Approaching Win Green from Ludwell



View East from bear Win Green


Trig point showing distances and directions at Win Green
Ferne House from Ox Drove near Win Grren


Following the Ox Drove to Tollard Royal


Tollard Royal


Ashmore


Ashmore Wood


Approaching Shroton from Preston Hill