Introduction
Secluded coves, wild flowers, a visually stunning coastline with chalk cliffs and a fine natural sea arches: you do not need to be a palaeontologist to appreciate the Jurassic Coast. It is a World Heritage Site; the cliffs date from the Cretaceous, Jurassic , and Triassic periods, which cover 185 million years. The cliffs have yielded impressive dinosaur remains, including the first Ichthyosaur skeleton, Megalosaurus and Iguanadon.
This walk takes in the finest stretch of the Jurassic Coast, between Durdle Door and Swanage. The terrain is a good footpath on grass close to the edge of chalk cliffs, which afford stunning views of the coastline and cliffs. The area is composed of white chalk limestone, covered with a generous mat of grass. It is home to wonderful rare flowers, and butterflies. The walking is moderate to strenuous, because the path leads steeply up onto headlands from the many natural coves formed in the rocky coastline. The up and down is almost constant, as the path climbs up on top of cliffs and descends to sea levels in the natural coves.
Remember to bring your camera! You start at some of the most magnificent natural wonders on the whole South West Coast and finish on a wonderful sandy beach at Swanage.
Photos kindly supplied by the Jurassic Coast World Hertiage Team. Please see their website by clicking here.
Banner Picture by: Mont Pelier via Flickr
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: long weekend
Quick Facts
- Two days walking
- Fully guided
- Two Nights Hotel Accommodation
- Some of the finest chalk cliff scenery in England
Typical Intinerary
We normally run this trip over a weekend, arriving Friday, walking Saturday and leaving on Sunday, however if you would like to do this at any other time then please contact us.
A typical itinerary looks like this:
| Day | Activity |
| Friday | Meet up at accommodation for evening briefing, route planning and equipment check followed by a relaxing evening meal. |
| Saturday | You start at Newlands Farm, near the village of West Lulworth. A short walk takes you to the coast at Durdle Door: one of the UK's finest natural sea arches. The path takes you over a headland and into St. Oswalds's Bay, up again over Dungy Head, and past the almost perfect horseshoe of Lulworth Cove. The path now heads over some of the most beautiful and unspoilt sections of the coast in the area. The walking is strenuous here, with some steep climbs up to 150 metres and down again. The trail leads you into Kimmeridge. That's your first day of walking done. A transfer will take you to your accommodation from there. |
| Sunday | The following day, you will be taken to the finishing point from your previous day, at Kimmeridge. You then pass in quick succession the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve and the Clavell Tower, a folly perched delicately on the clifftop. It is quite strenuous walking from there to Chapman's Pool: the terrain involves a lot of up and down. You are rewarded with the fine sight of Huns-Tout Cliff and Chapman's Pool Itself. Past Chapman's Pool the sights include a beautiful chapel at St. Alban's head, the quarries such as Winspit Head that yielded the famous Purbeck limestone, and Durleston Country Park with its lighthouse. The walk ends with a remarkable contrast to the previous terrain: a wonderful sandy beach at Swanage. |
Please note: This itinerary is a guide only. It can be subject to change dependent upon viability, course members' fitness, weather conditions or for any other reason the guide may deem necessary.
Course Requirements
To do this trip you need to have a certain level of fitness. No previous mountaineering experience is required for this trip, however, the fitter you are the more you will enjoy your day.
We recommend that you follow a fitness plan in preparation for your challenge, an example of one will be sent to you when you have confirmed your booking.
Although the fitness plan we will send to you has been devised by a fitness professional, this is only provided as a guide and you should seek professional advice before starting your own fitness regime.
Dates 2013
The 2013 dates available:
| 10-12 May | Good availability | Book now |
| 7-9 June | Good availabilty | Book now |
| 12-14 July | Good availability | Book now |
| 9-11 August | Good availability | Book now |
| 6-8 September | Good availability | Book now |
If the date you would like to go is not listed, or you would like to arrange an exclusive trip, please just give us a call:
017683 71289
Price & Inclusions
2013 Price: £399
Price includes:
- Professional Event Organisation
- Two nights accommodation
- Two days guiding
- Transfers from Wareham / Poole
- Breakfasts
- First Aid kit
- Liability insurance
- Cover in accordance with 1992 Package Travel Regulations
Price excludes:
- Travel to Wareham / Poole
- Personal trip insurance
- Lunches and Dinner
How to Book?
To book onto any of these trips please click the Book Now button, and complete our online booking form. The page will forward you onto a paypal page to secure your booking with a deposit. Alternatively you can call us on 017683 71289 and secure your booking over the phone by credit or debit card. Please note there is a 3% charge on CC.
Once we have received your booking we will contact you with specific information about your challenge, along with an appropriate kit list and fitness plan to help you prepare for your upcoming challenge and make the most of it!
