Walking Britain Dorset Walk
Lulworth Cove & Durdle Door
Walk Route Description
Click thumbnails for larger images.
This short walk includes two of the most famous features on the Dorset Coast, namely the circular inlet of Lulworth Cove and the rock arch known as Durdle Door. 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.
Please maintain social distancing - keep at least 2 metres away from other walkers.
Maps | |||
| Ordnance Survey Explorer OL15 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Explorer OL15 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Ordnance Survey Landranger 194 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Landranger 194 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
It is recommended you take a map. The preferred scale is 1:25k. | |||
GPS files - right click or option-click the button and choose "Save As..." to download this file.
Recommended Books & eBooks
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Navigation
This pocket handbook to navigation will help you master the necessary map and compass skills for mountain walking. Chapters include map scales, symbols and contours, grid references, map reading, bearings, route planning and night and bad-weather navigation, as well as navigating with a GPS.
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