Holnest is a village and civil parish located in the Blackmore Vale of Dorset, Southern England. This region is characterized by its gently undulating landscape, featuring lush pastures, ancient hedgerows, and scattered woodlands. The area's natural setting provides a suitable backdrop for various outdoor pursuits, including several sports like hiking, road cycling, jogging, touring cycling, and more.
Holnest offers numerous routes for outdoor activities, catering to a range of interests and fitness levels. More than…
78
Routes
4.5
(81)
Average rating
658
People visited

4.3
(7)
34
hikers
11.8km
03:12
150m
150m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.23km
01:07
40m
40m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
15.1km
03:54
90m
90m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
1
hikers
15.1km
04:06
210m
210m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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31
riders
21.5km
01:11
210m
210m
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

5.0
(1)
22
riders
26.9km
01:22
210m
210m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
19
riders
56.6km
02:52
540m
540m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(2)
18
riders
52.9km
02:49
600m
600m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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4
riders
23.4km
01:57
400m
400m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
riders
22.1km
01:39
290m
290m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
2
riders
24.3km
01:43
290m
280m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
3
riders
24.3km
01:54
370m
370m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.0
(1)
9
runners
10.0km
01:03
70m
70m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
runners
8.63km
00:54
90m
90m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
runners
7.00km
00:44
80m
80m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
runners
5.18km
00:33
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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6
riders
21.4km
01:21
240m
240m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
riders
41.8km
02:37
420m
420m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
6
riders
26.8km
01:38
210m
210m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
riders
21.6km
01:23
210m
210m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Holnest offers various outdoor activities including hiking, road cycling, jogging, touring cycling, and mountain biking. The region's gently undulating landscape provides a suitable setting for these pursuits. More than 10,000 visitors have explored routes in the area.
Popular hiking routes include the Sherborne Abbey to Sherborne Castle loop, an easy 2.6-mile (4.2 km) trail. The Sherborne to Alweston loop is a moderate 7.4-mile (11.9 km) path, and the Sherborne to Lillington loop covers 9.4 miles (15.1 km) through the Blackmore Vale. Further options are detailed in the Hiking around Holnest guide.
Yes, Holnest offers easy hiking options suitable for various ability levels. The Sherborne Abbey to Sherborne Castle loop is an easy 2.6-mile (4.2 km) trail that takes approximately one hour to complete. Additional easy routes can be found in the Easy hikes around Holnest guide.
Cyclists can explore the North Dorset Trailway, a former railway line offering traffic-free sections through the Dorset countryside. The National Cycle Network Route 26 also connects nearby Sherborne to Dorchester and Weymouth. More routes are available in the Road Cycling Routes around Holnest and Cycling around Holnest guides.
The North Dorset Trailway is a former railway line that provides a smooth, traffic-free surface for cycling, walking, and horse riding. It offers gentle gradients amidst the Dorset scenery. Sections of this trail are suitable for joggers, as highlighted in the Running Trails around Holnest guide.
Holnest is situated in the Blackmore Vale, characterized by a picturesque and gently undulating landscape. This includes lush pastures, ancient hedgerows, scattered woodlands, and the River Cam. The area offers a traditional English countryside aesthetic.
Yes, Holnest's proximity to Sherborne allows for combining natural excursions with visits to cultural landmarks. The Sherborne Abbey to Sherborne Castle loop trail connects two significant historical sites in the area. This 2.6-mile (4.2 km) route is an easy option for hikers.
Routes in Holnest are well-regarded by the komoot community, with an average rating of 4.38 out of 5 stars. This rating is based on feedback from more than 700 users. Over 10,000 visitors have explored the region's outdoor offerings.
Komoot offers several guides for Holnest, including Hiking around Holnest, Easy hikes around Holnest, and Road Cycling Routes around Holnest. Guides for running, touring cycling, and mountain biking are also available. These resources provide detailed route suggestions and information.
Holnest, as a small civil parish, does not have a dedicated tourism website. Information about local governance can be found via the Holnest Parish Council. For broader tourism inquiries about Dorset, contact Dorset Council Customer Services at 01305 221000.
Yes, Holnest offers options for mountain biking. Enthusiasts can find suitable routes and information in the MTB Trails around Holnest guide. The gently undulating terrain of the Blackmore Vale provides varied riding experiences.

