Hardy Monument Trail — National Trust North and West Dorset

Hiking trails & Routes

Winterbourne Steepleton

Hardy Monument Trail — National Trust North and West Dorset

Moderate

5.0

(4)

hikers

Hardy Monument Trail — National Trust North and West Dorset

02:02

5.97km

130m

Hiking

This gorgeous 3.7-mile (6 km) route starts at the fantastic Hardy Monument and takes you through undulating farmland with wonderful vistas of the coast. From the monument’s car park, this is a perfect short adventure for any age.

1: Begin by Hardy’s Monument and walk a short way north east to Smitten Corner.
2:Take the bridleway heading south east across the fields before joining the Jubilee Way trail. When you reach a ruined farmhouse take the path going south west.
3: When you meet a path running east–west, head west through the fields to Portesham Farm.
4: Follow a bridleway as it heads north along a farm track. The trail takes you through woodland, back up to the monument.

by National Trust North and West Dorset

Last updated: June 28, 2024

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Dorset National Landscape

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

92 m

Hardy Monument

Highlight • Monument

This striking tower stands to the north of the Isle of Portland and offers fantastic 360 degree views of Dorset and the English Channel. Although the novelist Thomas Hardy lived in the county and used many local settings in his books, this is actually a monument to a very different Thomas Hardy; the vice-admiral and flag captain to Admiral Lord Nelson.

The monument is managed by the National Trust and, for a small fee, you can walk the stairs inside to reach the viewing tower at the top. There's a car park here, some benches and often an ice cream van.

Tip by

488 m

Smitten Corner Trail Junction

Highlight • Viewpoint

Smitten Corner has a rather lovely name for what is essentially just a small car park. There's much more than meets the eye though, as so many footpaths, bridleways and other ways seem to converge here, you're quite spoilt for choice for adventures.

Hardy's Monument lies mere moments up the road, as do far-reaching views, pockets of woodland, a sculpture area and Neolithic burial chambers.

Tip by

5.97 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

3.47 km

1.35 km

1.09 km

< 100 m

Surfaces

3.72 km

1.24 km

892 m

Elevation

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

Weather

Today

Wednesday 14 October

18°C

14°C

37 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 28.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

December 20, 2021

This gorgeous 3.7-mile (6 km) route starts at the fantastic Hardy Monument and takes you through undulating farmland with wonderful vistas of the coast. From the monument’s car park, this is a perfect short adventure for any age. 
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1: Begin by Hardy’s Monument and walk a short way north east to Smitten