Hardy Monument and Portesham from Black Down

From the National Trust car park beside Hardy Monument on Black Down the walk begins at the tall stone tower built in memory of Vice-Admiral Hardy, then goes west by a path through the wood to the South Dorset Ridgeway and follows it over Black Down with wide views across the downs to the Channel. A track leads on south-west and down to Portesham, a village in a hollow of the downs. The way back climbs from the village by a lane and a bridleway up Black Down to the monument.

It is 7.8 km round with 234 m of ascent; allow about 2½ hours. The grade is Easy, though the last part is a steady climb back to the top of Black Down.

Black Down is open and exposed, so dress for the weather. The National Trust asks for dogs to be kept on a short lead, for the ground-nesting birds and the farm animals, and says it is essential around sheep. Climbing the monument itself costs extra and is only possible on Saturdays from April to September; the National Trust takes cash only. There are no toilets at the monument or in the car park.

The National Trust car park at the monument is free to park in all year. The nearest station is Upwey, about 7 km away; buses run to Portesham and Martinstown.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.