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An old railway, pine woods and a little local history make up this one-way walk from Ashley Twinning to Stapehill. Follow the Castleman Trailway through Ashley Heath and West Moors, then continue through the woodland around Dolmans Crossing and Cannon Hill. Start at the public trail car park beneath the B3081 bridge.
Follow the green and yellow trail markers, including the signed streets through West Moors where the old railway has been built over. Use the pavements through the village and cross roads carefully at suitable crossing points. Horton Road has a signal-controlled crossing. Cross the A31 only on the designated overbridge, and keep to the marked permitted route beside MoD land.
This version takes the Castleman bridleway southwest from Uddens Drive to Wimborne Road West, then follows the shared path east to finish just west of the Uddens Drive junction. That final shared-path approach avoids the direct southern road section of Uddens Drive, but it crosses driveways: watch for turning vehicles. Some earlier village and access-lane sections are still shared with traffic; this is not an entirely traffic-free walk. Arrange your one-way return in advance rather than assuming parking or transport at the finish.
Allow around four hours of walking, plus breaks; this is an estimate. Leave sufficient daylight. Mud, wet leaves, ice, fast-rising streams and fallen branches can affect the route in winter. Check local notices and conditions, and do not continue through flooding or closed forestry sections. Share the paths considerately with cyclists and horse riders.
Official trail information: https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/castleman-trailway
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Explore more: More walks in Ashley Heath Walks in Dorset
A few things to know before you make plans.
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Check the participant list and check-ins, and message the organiser or other walkers to confirm where to meet and who is coming. This is especially useful when the group is small.