Local Guide to the Best Walks in Dorset
This is a medium 9.3 mile circular walk taking in some of the most picturesque locations on the Isle of Purbeck including Corfe Castle, Kimmeridge, Swyre Head and Kingston village. On a clear day you’ll get spectacular views as far as Bournemouth Bay, Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, Swanage Bay, Weymouth Bay and the Isle of Portland.
Continue reading “Corfe Castle to Kimmeridge, Swyre Head and Kingston Circular Walk”
This circular walk from the village of Worth Matravers follows a well made track downhill to the old stone quarry at Winspit. It then turns west to join the South West Coast Path walking along the exposed clifftops to reach St. Aldhelm’s Head with its small chapel and Coastguard Lookout Station.
Distance: 4.4 miles (circular walk)
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Ascent: 558ft, Highest point: 440ft
Swyre Head is the highest point of the Purbeck Hills. The hill commands extensive views of Dorset’s Jurassic Coast including St. Aldhelm’s Head and Chapmans Pool to the east and Clavell Tower, Kimmeridge and as far as the Isle of Portland and Weymouth Bay to the west. To the north you can see Corfe Castle and Poole Harbour.
Distance: 2 miles,
Difficulty: easy,
Estimated time: 1 hours 10 minutes
Total ascent 214ft, Max elevation 671ft
This is one of my favourite walks in the Worth Matravers area and a great choice for first-time visitors to the Purbeck region. The walk starts off with an easy stroll across farmland and down a sheltered valley to the abandoned stone cliff quarry at Seacombe. The path follows the coastal cliff tops west to another disused quarry at Winspit before retuning for the slow hike back to Worth Matravers along a surfaced track. Did I forgot to mention that there’s a very good pub in the village 🙂
Distance: 2.9 miles (circular walk)
Difficulty: easy (uneven ground, some uphill sections)
Estimated time: 1 hours 45 minutes
Total ascent 436ft, Highest Point 433ft
The Worth Matravers to St Aldhelm’s Head and Chapman’s Pool walk is a stunning mix of countryside and coastal views.
Distance: 2.9 miles (Circular walk)
Difficulty: Medium (steep steps descent and ascent at Emmetts Hill)
Estimated time: 1 hour 30 mins
Total ascent 394ft, Highest point 427ft
Date of walk: June 2020
Photos of the Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door Walk taken back in June 2014.
For more recent photos and route description see blog post Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door Walk 2020
Distance: 2.1 miles
Difficulty: easy
Estimated time: 1 hour 30 minutes,
Total ascent 653ft, Highest point 406ft
Date of Trek: June 2014
The Studland to Old Harry Rocks walk is an easy circular walk starting at Studland village and following the chalky coastal cliffs along to Old Harry Rocks and then on to Ballard Point. The walk offers great views of Studland Bay and its sandy beaches backed by dunes. The last half of the walk takes you up onto Ballard Down and the Purbeck Way. From here you can see the town of Swanage to the south and Poole Harbour and Brownsea Island to the north.
Distance: 4 miles (circular)
Difficulty: easy
Estimated time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total ascent 965ft, Highest point 446ft
Date of walk: June 2020