South West Coast Path (Dorset & Jurassic Coast Section)

Fossil cliffs, sweeping beaches, and a journey along the Jurassic Coast.

The Jurassic Coast section of the South West Coast Path runs from Exmouth in Devon to Poole Harbour in Dorset, following England's only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site (Jurassic Coast). The route links cliffs, beaches, chalk headlands, harbour towns, and coastal farmland through a continuous journey shaped by geology, erosion, and the changing relationship between land and sea.

As a self-guided journey, the route connects places such as Exmouth, Lyme Regis, Weymouth, Lulworth Cove, Swanage, and Poole Harbour while passing through some of the most distinctive coastal landscapes in southern England. Clifftop paths, chalk downs, pebble beaches, and shoreline tracks create a route defined by constant movement along the edge of the land.

The character of the route changes steadily as it moves east. Red sandstone cliffs and broad coastal views give way to the fossil-rich coastline around Lyme Regis and Charmouth, before the dramatic limestone landscapes of the central Jurassic Coast dominate the scenery. Further east, chalk headlands, sheltered coves, and iconic landmarks such as Durdle Door and Old Harry Rocks create some of the most recognisable coastal walking in England.

Geology remains a constant presence throughout the journey. Layers of sandstone, limestone, chalk, and clay reveal millions of years of Earth's history, giving the coastline a distinct identity that differs from any other section of the South West Coast Path.

With National Trail waymarking, regular coastal settlements, and a wide variety of landscapes, the Jurassic Coast section offers one of England's finest long-distance coastal journeys. The trail combines geology, scenery, wildlife, and maritime heritage into a continuous walk along one of the world's most important coastlines.

Overview

Distance 95 miles / 152 km

Duration 7–10 days

Difficulty Moderate

Start Exmouth, Devon

Finish Poole Harbour, Dorset

Terrain Clifftop paths, chalk downs, pebble beaches, harbour towns, and coastal farmland

Waymarking National Trail acorn symbols throughout