AS WE enter winter, what could be more enjoyable than a crisp walk followed by a roaring fire and roast?
If that sounds up your street, then look no further as we have rounded up five fanatic winter walks to enjoy this weekend.
Purbeck Ridgeway
Starting at the majestic ruins of Corfe Castle, with the comforting view of Old Harry Rocks in the distance, take the scenic route along the coastal path in the direction of Swanage.
Make sure to stop and take in the spectacular view of Poole Harbour and Swanage as its comes into view, and all the way over to the Isle of Wight.
There are plenty of cafés and delicatessens to choose from in the seaside town to spurn you on along the walk or enjoy a drink or two and climb aboard the historic Swanage Railway or take the number 40 bus to return to Corfe Castle. The perfect round trip.
Pier to Pier
This one might sound obvious, however with a distance of 1.5 miles between Bournemouth and Boscombe pier this walk can be as easy or as challenging as you'd like to make it.
With a distance of 1.5 miles between Bournemouth and Boscombe Pier this walk is straight foward and easy due to being completely flat.
The pier to pier walk allows you to take in the golden sandy beaches and fresh sea air which in turn will help to lift your mood and clear your head.
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Walking on sand can help you achieve more health benefits than walking on the path as it's more difficult due to your feet moving around in the sand which means that your muscles and tendons need to work harder.
It also puts less pressure on your joints, knees and feet than walking on a harder surface.
If you feel like walking a bit further it's always easy to do whilst on the beach as it's a lot more enjoyable than walking in a built-up area.
Badbury Rings
Badbury Rings, located in Blandford Forum, is one of Dorset’s eighteen Iron Age hillforts, rich in history, flora and fauna.
The rings, which hold the secrets of past civilisations, sit 100 metres above sea level and offer sweeping views across Dorset.
It is thought the innermost ring dates from around 500 - 600 BC.
Visiting Badbury Rings is the perfect opportunity to explore its history and enjoy the Dorset countryside.
Duncliffe Wood
Duncliffe Wood is one of the oldest and largest woods in north Dorset and was even mentioned in the Domesday Book.
The main visitor access into the wood is via a track from the car park off New Lane, into the western side of the wood.
There are a number of tracks and paths running through the woodland including a long-distance path, the Hardy Way.
Stour Valley Nature Reserve
Stour Valley Nature Reserve is a two mile stretch of riverside walks home to meadows, hedgerows and woodland.
There is an arboretum filled with interesting trees, which are labelled and form part of a trail. As well as the beautiful scenery you can see lots of wildlife, including kingfishers and sometimes even otters.
In partnership with both the coucil and RSPB the Stour Valley Nature Reserve is home to a range of animals, which can be enjoyed through the wildlife walk - the trail can be downloaded on the Stour Valley website.
Have we missed your favourite walk? Share yours in the comments below.
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