We now have four routes from Weymouth to Dorchester, take the one which is best for you, or combine the parts of each, you like best.

This is, we think, the best commuter route between Weymouth and Dorchester town centres. It goes via the Southhill cycle paths and the now bypassed Dorchester Road. It is the least hilly route to Dorchester. The route is in blue:

This route we call "noise" is mainly on the traffic free cycle track near or beside the busy A354 road carrying in excess of 20,000 vehicles a day. The route is in blue:

This route is called "lanes". It is mainly on road and through the lovely but sometimes busy Coombe Valley. The route is in blue:

This route we call "direct". It uses the now bypassed Dorchester Road. The route is in blue:

Weymouth to Dorchester

We now have four routes from Weymouth to Dorchester. All except the commuter route leave Weymouth on the Radipole Park Drive cycle path and all the routes enter Dorchester via Herringston on a country lane. We find crossing the busy Dorchester bypass at the Stadium roundabout, the DCC signed route, far too dangerous to recommend. If you plan to travel west from Dorchester you can turn left onto a cycle route just after passing the Winterbourne Hospital, avoiding crossing a busy road twice.

Each of the routes is suitable for all types of rider including confident child cyclists. They are also suitable for most types of bike. There are spectacular views on a good day to reward the climb up to the Ridgeway. Those riding "Commuter", "noise" or "direct" can enjoy these by riding east from the Ridgeway Bridge towards the telecommunications mast, and onwards if they have the time.

Roman town house Dorchester

Notes for each route are as follows:

Commuter

The route called "Commuter" is on the traffic free cycle track beside Radipole Lake to Southill via a light controlled crossing. It continues on a cycle path to the Dorchester Road near to the Manor Roundabout. It then takes the bypassed Dorchester Road to the Ridgeway. There is not much traffic on Dorchester Road but you can divert onto the signed route beside the A354 road which is hillier and forms part of SUSTRANS Route 26.

Noise

The route called "noise" is mainly on the traffic free cycle track near or beside the A354 road carrying in excess of 20,000 vehicles a day. It is noisy and hilly and not what most people come to Dorset for. It forms part of SUSTRANS Route 26.

Lanes

The route called "lanes" is useful particularly for those starting from the Preston area. It is mainly on road and through the lovely but sometimes busy Coombe Valley. Near to Chalbury Corner there is a footpath about 150 yards long with barriers and you will need to walk here. If your bike will not fit continue on Wyke Oliver Road, turn left at the end onto the busy Preston Road and left at Chalbury Corner before rejoining the route at Coombe Valley Road. Those on lightweight road bikes may prefer to go direct to Chalbury Corner to avoid a short unmade section.

Direct

The route called "direct" uses the now bypassed Dorchester Road. It is an alternative to "commuter" between Dorchester and Weymouth for those living in the northern part of Weymouth or who just want a change.

Downloads for "Commuter"

The following files are in .zip format. They need to be unzipped and saved to a directory of your choice. You can then load them into the appropriate application.

This route in Google Earth format to open in the Google Earth application
This is the the route in .kml format

This route in Garmin format version 2 for uploading to your GPS
This is the the route in .gdb format

This route in Memory-Map format for uploading to computer's software
This is the the route in .mmo format

This route in universal format for uploading to many applications
This is the the route in .gpx format

Downloads for "Noise"

The following files are in .zip format. They need to be unzipped and saved to a directory of your choice. You can then load them into the appropriate application.

This route in Google Earth format to open in the Google Earth application
This is the the route in .kml format

This route in Garmin format version 2 for uploading to your GPS
This is the the route in .gdb format

This route in Memory-Map format for uploading to computer's software
This is the the route in .mmo format

This route in universal format for uploading to many applications
This is the the route in .gpx format

Downloads for "Lanes"

The following files are in .zip format. They need to be unzipped and saved to a directory of your choice. You can then load them into the appropriate application.

This route in Google Earth format to open in the Google Earth application
This is the the route in .kml format

This route in Garmin format version 2 for uploading to your GPS
This is the the route in .gdb format

This route in Memory-Map format for uploading to computer's software
This is the the route in .mmo format

This route in universal format for uploading to many applications
This is the the route in .gpx format

Downloads for "Direct"

The following files are in .zip format. They need to be unzipped and saved to a directory of your choice. You can then load them into the appropriate application.

This route in Google Earth format to open in the Google Earth application
This is the the route in .kml format

This route in Garmin format version 2 for uploading to your GPS
This is the the route in .gdb format

This route in Memory-Map format for uploading to computer's software
This is the the route in .mmo format

This route in universal format for uploading to many applications
This is the the route in .gpx format

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