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Durdle Door & Lulworth Cove

Jurassic Coast Walk

Region - Jurassic Coast

County/Area - Dorset

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 2.5 miles / 4.1 km    Ascent - 800 feet / 242 metres

Time - 2 hours 0 minutes    Grade - easy

Maps Ordnance Survey Logo Anquet Maps Logo

Ordnance Survey Explorer OL15Sheet Map1:25kBUY
Anquet OS Explorer OL15Digital Map1:25kBUY
Ordnance Survey Landranger 194Sheet Map1:50kBUY
Anquet OS Landranger 194Digital Map1:50kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Durdle Door & Lulworth Cove
Click image to visit gallery of 3 images.

Durdle Door is a natural arch and is a well-know feature of the Jurassic Coast. This easy walk starts from Lulworth Cove, a circular coastal inlet, and follows a good path. For a longer walk including these two features walk 2575 is a more challenging route.

The start is the main car park next to the visitor centre at Lulworth Cove(Grid ref. SY 821800). This can be a very busy place during peak times and if you prefer a quiet walk then do avoid peak holiday periods. From the car park take the broad paved path heading uphill westwards towards the coast. All the height gained on this section will be lost as you descend to Durdle Door and as you have guessed will have to be climbed again to return to Lulworth Cove.

Reaching the summit of the first hill you get the first good view of the Dorset Coast with its fine white cliffs. Stay on the main South west Coast Path to reach Durdle Door where you can descend to the beach to get a better view of the rock arch.

To complete the walk return by the outward route to the car park continuing past the information centre to reach the shingle beach of Lulworth Cove. Almost completely circular the cove provides a sheltered haven for small boats and is a pleasant place to spend some time before returning to the start of the walk.

Other walks nearby

Walk 2568 Egmont Point & Kimmeridge Bay from Tynehammoderate14.0 miles
Walk 1533 Gad Cliff, Povington Hill & Tynehameasy/mod4.5 miles
Walk 2575 Durdle Door & Lulworth Covemoderate10.0 miles
Walk 1889 White Nothe from Ringstead Bayeasy/mod5.8 miles
Walk 1331 Kimmeridge & Tynehameasy/mod6.8 miles
Walk 1534 Swyre Head & Tyneham Cap from Kimmeridgemoderate11.8 miles
Walk 1995 Houns-tout & Swyre Head from Kimmeridgemoderate8.7 miles
Walk 1597 The White Horse & Sutton Poyntz from Osmingtoneasy/mod4.0 miles
Walk 2440 White Nothe & Moigns Down from Osmingtonmoderate10.5 miles
Walk 2145 Houns-tout Cliff from Kingstoneasy3.5 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

South West Coast Path Map Booklet - St Ives to Plymouth

South West Coast Path Map Booklet - St Ives to PlymouthMap of part of the southern section of the 630 mile (1014km) South West Coast Path National Trail. Covers the trail from St Ives to Plymouth along the west Cornwall and Devon coastline. This convenient and compact booklet of Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps shows the route, providing all of the mapping you need to walk the trail in either direction.
More information

The South West Coast Path

The South West Coast PathGuidebook to walking the entire South West Coast Path National Trail. The route runs for 630 miles from Minehead to Poole along the north Devon, Cornish, south Devon and Dorset coastline. Divided into 45 stages, this long-distance coastal trek could be completed within 4 weeks, or walked in sections. Guide includes maps and essential information.
More information

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