This is a fascinating, fairly flat day circle in Dorset, from Hardy's Monument and going to the amazing Maiden Castle hill fort, near Dorchester. It's about 8.25 miles, four hours walking, plus 30-60 mins to explore Maiden Castle. Use the map OS Outdoor Leisure map 15, Purbeck & South Dorset grid ref: 615 876. Park at the car park at Hardy's Monument, south-west of Dorchester, between Martinstown and Portesham; or, if you don't want the descent at the start or the climb at the end, then park a short way below the monument on the eastern (Martinstown) side in a parking lay-by.

T his day circle, soaking up some of the early history of South Dorset, near Dorchester, won't dis- appoint walkers.

It follows a beautiful ridge with great coastal views, starting at or near Hardy's Monument and passing many round and long barrows, and then crosses to Maiden Castle, the finest Iron Age hill fort in Britain, before circling round to a pretty village with a farm shop cafe and a pub. Then, using old tracks and a road, we return to the start. It is fairly flat, especially if you don't park up at the monument and it is a fine walk for dogs.

START

The 72ft-high Hardy Monument was put up by public subscription in 1844, in memory of Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy, a commander at the Battle of Trafalgar who was born at nearby Portesham. It was restored in 1900 by his descendants and given to the National Trust in 1938. In 2010, restoration is taking place so it is closed for visitors who used to be able to climb to the top up the steps inside.

If starting at the monument itself, then go round past the stone seat and look for a small stony path which goes down quite steeply through the bracken and heather, more or less parallel with the road. Reach a crossing track and turn left, and continue to the road. Turn right and soon reach the layby on the left ("the alternative start"). Here turn right on the Jubilee Trail signed to Bincombe. Follow this, ignoring side tracks, and heading towards the coast which you can see ahead. Increasingly, the coastal views get better and you pass several burial barrows – all part of this ancient landscape. Go through two gates and pass some metal storage tanks on the left and keep on. Go under three sets of power lines.

1.SIGNPOST

At a signpost for Bincombe and Osmington, bear left on the path and go through a gate. Pass two round barrows on your right and follow the right fence – in the same direction as before. Go through a gate at the end of the field and reach a second signpost at the end of the next field.

Here turn left on the bridleway to Martinstown (1.5 miles). In the corner, at another signpost, go right through a gate and diagonally across the field towards a line of four barrows. In the distance start to see the ramparts of Maiden Castle. Go through to another field. Turn left along the edge and through a gate in the corner. Go diagonally right across the field. A gate takes you on to a concrete farm track.

2. FARM

Go through Higher Ashton Farm, through gates, and out the other side past the farmhouse to a road. Turn left, cross over, and shortly take the first lane right.

3. LANE

This is signed to Winterbourne Monkton. Continue on, past a gated road sign and then a cricket pavilion. On the corner, leave the road and go ahead on a track up a valley. Draw closer to the outer ramparts of Maiden Castle. Continue, climbing gently and reach a stile on the right which takes you on to the outer bank of the hillfort.

4. MAIDEN CASTLE

This is the largest and most complex Iron Age hill fort in Britain, first laid out in 600BC over the remains of a Neolithic settlement. During the following centuries, the hill fort was extended and additional defences thrown up around it.

The vast multiple ramparts enclose an area the size of 50 football pitches, and the site was home to several hundred people in the Iron Age (800 BC – 43 AD). In AD43, it was conquered by the Roman army and its inhabitants moved to the new town of Durnovaria, modern Dorchester.

Here at the hill fort, it is up to you… You can explore deeper into the fort with its vast banks and ditches (it has several useful information plaques) or you can simply turn left along the outer bank. Then drop down off the bank, and go through a wicket gate on the left, back on to the track. Don't continue on to the car park but go left on another track. This soon bends and then goes north.

5. CROSSING TRACK

Reach a crossing track and turn left. Over to the right is a clear view of the rapidly spreading western end of Dorchester. Follow the track to the farm settlement of Clandon, still following cycle route signs. Go through, passing some silos, and continue in the same direction to a lane, passing over on the left the famous Clandon Bronze Age barrow.

Cross and take the bridleway opposite on the edge of fields and seeing ahead the church tower in Martinstown (or Winterborne St Martin – its alternative name). Reach a crossing drive on the edge of the village. If you want a friendly cafe turn up right to Stevens Farm.

To continue, go down the drive to the main road in Martinstown with the impressive 19th-century Chantry opposite.

6. MARTINSTOWN

Turn right along the side of this broad road through the pretty village with the South Winterborne stream flowing alongside. Go past St Martin's church and all the way to the tempting Brewer's Arms – a welcoming, dog-friendly village pub.

7. PUB

Turn up right on the Tarmac track just before the pub. Pass the old listed stone-built sheep "washing pool" and just past it turn right up a bridleway to Bradford Peverell. Very soon turn left over a stile on the footpath to Rew. Follow the left fence and cross a stile in the corner.

Cross a track and go ahead on a grassy track. At the end, cross a stile and maintain direction through fields, walking alongside the valley. Go through the edge of a garden with a wall left. A stile brings you on to a side road.

Turn left to the main road. Turn left along here for a short distance.

8. BRIDLEWAY

On the sharp left bend, take the bridleway to South Rew Farm. Follow the arrow to the left up a stony track and continue on this for over a mile to the road from Martinstown to the Hardy Monument.

9. ROAD

Turn right. Follow this for about three quarters of a mile (10-15 minutes). You can just continue uphill to where you parked, staying on the road. Or, if you want a scenic, off road ending, turn left on a path on the left signed to Bronkham Hil and Coryates.

Follow the fence on your left. In the corner, go through a gate, on to the track you were on earlier. Turn right back to the road.

Turn left to the parking lay-by and, if parked up at the monument, turn left on the track marked to Portesham.

Go along and then find the path uphill that began this walk.

Stevens Farm, Martinstown, 01305 889216. Please ring to check opening times and when food is served.

The Brewer's Arms, Martinstown, 01305 889361. Closed on Mondays in winter (from October).