Poole Walks
This walk takes you along Poole Quay to Baiter Harbourside Park and Poole Park on the Dorset coast. There's lovely views of the famous Poole Harbour and some lovely gardens to see in Poole Park. The town is one of the gems of the Dorset coast with the second largest natural harbour in the world, beautiful beaches and fantastic scenery. It's also notable as the start point for the South West Coast Path National Trail.
The walk starts at Poole Quay where you can watch the boats leave for Brownsea Island. Follow the paths east along the quay where you'll see several impressive looking yachts in the marina. The walk then enters Baiter Park where there's a large grassy area and waterside footpaths with nice views over to the island and the Purbeck Hills. The path eventually leads into the Whitecliff Harbourside Park where there are a number of football pitches.
The route then doubles back to head towards Poole Park which you enter through the little tunnel on Whitecliff Road. In the park you'll pass the little model boating inclosure and follow footpaths around the large lake. The park includes a large cafe where you can enjoy refreshments in thre outdoor seating area, at what is roughly the half way point on the walk.
Atfer rounding the lake a tunnel takes you under the train line to return you to Baiter where you can pick up the same coastal path to return you to the quay.
To continue your walking in the Poole area, head north from the quay to Holes Bay and follow the waterside path to Upton Heath and Upton Country Park. The park has a fine old house surrounded by attractive parkland and gardens with easy footpaths to follow around the site. The epic South West Coast Path also starts in Poole. You could catch the ferry from Sandbanks and pick up the path to explore the lovely Studland Heath Nature Reserve.
Poole Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Poole Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Poole OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Poole Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Walks near Poole
- Brownsea Island - This circular walk takes you on a tour of the beautiful Brownsea Island off the coast of Poole in Dorset
- Poole Harbour Trail - This 40 mile circular walk explores the area around Poole Harbour, the second largest natural harbour in the world
- Baiter Park - Enjoy a cycle or walk through this harbourside park in Poole
- Upton Country Park - Upton Country Park, consists of 100 acres of parkland situated on the north west edge of Poole, Dorset
- Studland Heath Nature Reserve - Enjoy a lovely walk around this coastal nature reserve in Poole, Dorset
- Old Harry Rocks - This circular walk visits the local landmark of Old Harry Rocks on the Dorset coast, near Studland
- Swyre Head - Visit the highest point of the Purbeck Hills on this coastal walk in Dorset
- Arne Nature Reserve - This beautiful coastal nature reserve is located near Wareham in Dorset
- Purbeck Circular Walk - A long circular walk exploring the beautiful Isle of Purbeck in Dorset
- South West Coast Path - This incredible 600 mile walk follows the coast from Minehead in Somerset, through Devon and Cornwall and onto the finish point at Poole in Dorset
- Canford Heath - Enjoy a circular walk around the expansive Canford Heath on this route in Poole
- Upton Heath - This local nature reserve is located in the Corfe Mullen/Broadstone/Creekmoor area of Poole in Dorset.
- Delph Woods - This woodland nature reserve is located near Corfe Mullen, Wimborne and Poole in Dorset.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Away from the coast you could try a walk on the expansive Canford Heath. The 850 acre nature reserve has miles of heathland and woodland trails, popular with dog walkers.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Dorset Walks page.
Photos
Poole Quay 1
Poole Quay 2
Poole Quay. Taken from the upper deck of a ferry about to leave for Brownsea Island and showing the colourful ticket offices for the ferries
Poole, The Baiter
This is the pavilion in Poole Park, a large recreational park with a boating lake just south of the Parkstone Rd
Poole Park, war memorial and lake
Looking across the boating lake of Poole Park. The steeple of St. Mary's church, with the bulk of Poole Hospital alongside, are prominent in the distance.
Poole, footway across Poole Park lake. This concrete footway extends for over ¼ mile into Poole Park lake, and separates the model yacht area (left) from the rest of the boating lake. It is very apparent from this view that the walkway has the effect of calming the water on the left-hand side, compared with the right. Walkers will be well advised to remain in contact with the handrail as they walk along here, and to avoid looking mainly downwards.