Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Login or Signup

Get the App

Login or Signup

Routes
Hiking trails & Routes
United Kingdom
England
South West England
Dorset
West Dorset
Puddletown

Hardy's Cottage – Thomas Hardy's Cottage loop from Hardy’s Cottage

Routes
Hiking trails & Routes
United Kingdom
England
South West England
Dorset
West Dorset
Puddletown

Hardy's Cottage – Thomas Hardy's Cottage loop from Hardy’s Cottage

Moderate

2

hikers

Hardy's Cottage – Thomas Hardy's Cottage loop from Hardy’s Cottage

03:31

12.9km

200m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Last updated: April 16, 2026

Waypoints

A

Start point

Get Directions

1

7.13 km

Private Track – No Public Access

Highlight • Other

Made a mistake and took the right hand track rather than forward bridleway. Met with an angry farmer and by the sounds of it there are even angrier dogs elsewhere on the farm. Take care!

Tip by

2

10.5 km

Hardy's Cottage

Highlight • Cafe

If you are a Thomas Hardy enthusiast this is a must - the small cottage where he was born and grew up, writing his early novels. The garden is large …

Tip by

3

11.0 km

Thomas Hardy's Cottage

Highlight • Historical Site

Built in 1800, this stunning thatched cottage was the birthplace of the famous writer, Thomas Hardy. Built by his great-grandfather, Hardy lived here for over 30 years and wrote some …

Tip by

4

11.3 km

Deer in Puddletown Forest

Highlight • Natural

5

11.4 km

Rushy Pond

Highlight • Lake

An important watering hole for wildlife and the resident Dartmoor ponies, Rushy Pond buzzes with dragonflies and damselflies, whilst the pond’s surface is often disturbed by a newt surfacing for air or a grass snake on the hunt.
nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/hardys-cottage/things-to-see-and-do-at-hardys-cottage

Tip by

6

11.6 km

Actually you're supposed to not cycle through Duddle Heath, due to fear of cyclists coming off the track here and disturbing wildlife, nesting birds, vegetation etc. Regeneration of the heathland etc

Tip by

7

12.0 km

Viewpoint Over Puddletown Forest

Highlight • Viewpoint

At the edge of what can be ridden at puddletown. Lots of down options from here, down teep and narrow or wide and cruisey

Tip by

8

12.8 km

Puddletown Forest Car Park

Highlight • Forest

Make sure not to leave any valuables in view in your car

Tip by

B

12.9 km

End point

Loading

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

9.48 km

2.24 km

507 m

476 m

< 100 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

6.27 km

1.62 km

1.52 km

992 m

901 m

507 m

Sign up to see more specific route details

Sign up for free

Elevation

Elevation

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

Highest point (120 m)

Lowest point (40 m)

Sign up to see more specific route details

Sign up for free

Weather

Powered by Foreca

Friday 10 July

33°C

17°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 15.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

guide_signup

Want to know more?

Sign up for a free komoot account to join the conversation.

Sign up for free

Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

Save

Edit route

Download GPX

Move start point

Print

Share

Embed on a website

Report an Issue

Report restricted access

Nearby routes

Hard

4.7

981

A loop of Portland from Chesil Beach

05:36h

20.3km

330m

Explore
RoutesRoute plannerFeaturesHikesMTB TrailsRoad cycling routesBikepackingSitemap
Download the app
Follow Us on Socials

© komoot GmbH

Privacy Policy