Stour Valley Way

The Stour Valley Way is a 64-mile walking route that follows much of the course of the River Stour (as closely as practicable). The route takes you through some varied and beautiful landscapes as the river winds its way from Stourhead in Wiltshire to where it flows into the sea at Hengistbury Head in Dorset.

Although this a predominately flat route, there are some hills to contend with, but the views are worth the effort: Hambledon Hill leading onto Hod Hill in North Dorset, Dudsbury Iron Age hillfort in East Dorset and finally Hengistbury Head itself over-looking Christchurch Bay. 

Finding your way

  

The whole route is waymarked with a teal and orange kingfisher logo which is displayed on waymarkers, finger posts and lamp post stickers. It can also be followed using an OS map. 

Trail maps

Use the 'Recreational Trails and Greenspaces' layer on Dorset Explorer

Linking trails and routes

There are several other long-distance walks that link with the Stour Valley Way, including:

• Castleman Trailway
• Hardy Way
• Jubilee Trail
• Monarch Way
• Wareham Forest Way
• Wessex Ridgeway

Contact

The Stour Valley Way passes through areas managed by Dorset Council's Countryside and Greenspace Service, as well as Wiltshire Council and BCP Council. Contact the appropriate authority if you need to report an issue on the route.