At any time of the year Poole and its neighbouring countryside provide some wonderful routes for walkers.  A selection of self-guide walks is listed below.

Walks in Poole

Poole's Cockle Trail – Find out more about Poole and its colourful history by following the Cockle Trail around the Quay and Old Town area. The Cockle Trail highlights tales of Poole's past from smugglers and sailors to ghosts and ghouls.

New Poole Trail - Visitors to Poole Old Town and Harbourside Park will find a series of new interpretation and wayfinding panels.  Poole Trail reveals stories, pictures, audio and films about the town's remarkable heritage and natural environment.   Interpretation and map panels are on pedestrian signposts at eleven hotspots, centering on Poole Quay and the Museum precinct.    Each one tells different stories about the surrounding street scene, historic buildings, artwork and the history and wildlife of Poole Harbour.  At each hotspot visitors can access more stories, pictures, films and audio via their mobile phones.   For more information visit www.pooletrail.com .

Ghost Walks - Poole, with its rich history is one of the most haunted places in Dorset.   Step behind the quay, down lanes and through narrow alleyways - you never know how you might meet!
The following local businesses offer entertaining and informative ghost walks around the nooks and crannies of Poole's historic Old Town.
Granny Cousins Ghost Walks of Old Poole Town - every Monday and Wednesday from Mon 23rd to Wed 5th September 2012.   Meet at Scaplen's Court 8pm (approx 1 - 1-1/2 hours).   Halloween Special Sat 27th October - for bookings please call 07977 969080 or visit www.micheleobrien.co.uk
Inner Sanctum - every Tuesday and Thursday, all year round 7.45pm (BST)/7pm (Winter).  Meet at Scaplen'sCourt.   Fay Barnes and Dennis coat will take on a journey through Poole's past (approx 2 hrs).   For bookings please call 01202 914377.

Bourne Valley Greenway - Travels through Bourne Bottom and Coy Pond, finishing in Bournemouth Lower Gardens.

The Castleman Trailway - A 16 mile trail, much of it following the route of the old Southampton to Dorchester railway line which was closed in the 1960's. Covers Poole and surrounding areas.

Poole Harbour Trails - Explore the beauty and heritage of Poole Harbour with these six walking leaflets.

Ham Common Walk - A Local Nature Reserve, a site of Special Scientific Interest

The Evening Hill Discovery Trail - A short walk around Evening Hill and Sandbanks

Romans and Railways Trailway - A tour of Broadstone and district for walkers and cyclists using the Trailway.

Corfe and Barrow Hills - A Local Nature Reserve and Nature Trail

Upton Country Park Tree Trail - The various owners of Upton House have planted a magnificent pageant of trees for the enjoyment of future generations.  This alphabet tree trail will introduce you to some of them. A Trail leaflet is on sale at Poole Welcome Centre and at Upton Country Park.

Poole's public parks and gardens, as well as our spectacular beaches, provide excellent walks.

Walks in the Surrounding Areas

The Famous Five Adventure Trail 2012 - Enid Blyton was a frequent visitor to the area and many landmarks feature in her novels (Whispering Island in the famous Five series is based on Brownsea Island).  2012 is the 70th anniversary of the first book in the Famous Five series.   To celebrate there are various events palnned during the year including the Famous Five Adventure Trail: for more information visit: www.gingerpop.co.uk/adventuretrail2012 

South West Coast Path – Taking you along the Jurassic Coast – Dorset and East Devon's very own World Heritage Site – the South West Coast Path offers spectacular views as well as fascinating geology and natural history. Totalling 630 miles, it's the longest walking trail in Britain. However, you don't have to walk the whole lot at once – Old Harry is a great Sunday afternoon walk and there's even a pub at the bottom of the hill!

E9 Long Distance Walk - Follow Poole's section of this long European walk.

The Dorset Jubilee Trail - A 90 mile walk across Dorset from Forde Abby on the Somerset border to Borkerley Dyke on the Hampshire border.

Stour Valley Way - A 64 mile long distance walk from the sea at Christchurch.

The Castleman Trailway - A 16 mile trail, much of it following the route of the old Southampton to Dorchester railway line which was closed in the 1960's. Covers Poole and surrounding areas.

Got a buggy or a wheelchair? If so, check out www.walkswithwheelchairs.com  and www.walkswithbuggies.com

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