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Swyre Head & Tyneham Cap from Kimmeridge

Jurassic Coast Walk

Region - Jurassic Coast

County/Area - Dorset

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 11.8 miles / 19.1 km    Ascent - 1400 feet / 424 metres

Time - 7 hours 20 minutes    Grade - moderate

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Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Swyre Head & Tyneham Cap from Kimmeridge
Click image to see photo description.

This walk combines dramatic seascapes with the more rural landscapes in land. The route passes one of Britain's few land based oil wells and includes a section of the South West Coast Path. Sections of this walk are close to firing ranges and you are advised to take heed of all warnings in respect of path closures. In addition it is recommended you stay on marked paths and do not touch any suspicious objects that you might find. There is also restricted access so please check Range Opening Times.

The start is the small car park located in a quarry above the village of Kimmeridge (Grid ref. SY918800). After parking, take the signed bridleway on the northern side of the quarry that rises gently in south-easterly direction along a ridge onto Smedmore Hill. The bridleway continues in a similar direction to the trig point on Swyre Head (203 metres above sea level).

From Swyre head the route initially swings north following a bridleway past Polar Wood to reach a tarmac lane (grid ref. SY943792). Bear right along the lane and walk towards the village of Kingston (where there is a pub slightly off route). Reaching the Plantation car park (grid ref. SY953795) turn right down the signed footpath that leads down to the coast at Houns-tout Cliff.

Reaching the coast turn right along the South West Coast Path. You walk past the Kimmeridge Ledges to reach the Clavell Tower and Kimmeridge Bay. Stay on the South West Coast Path past the oil wells and up to the eastern end of Gad Cliff (grid ref. SY888797). Turn right here and ascend Tyneham Cap continuing by following the track ahead which descends to reach a bridleway at grid ref. SY905802. Here take the bridleway straight ahead which leads back to the car park from where the walk started.

Other walks nearby

Walk 2145 Houns-tout Cliff from Kingstoneasy3.5 miles
Walk 2568 Egmont Point & Kimmeridge Bay from Tynehammoderate14.0 miles
Walk 1533 Gad Cliff, Povington Hill & Tynehameasy/mod4.5 miles
Walk 2925 St Aldhelm's Head near Worth Matravers easy4.1 miles
Walk 3286 Dancing Ledge & Durlston Head from Langton Matraverseasy/mod7.0 miles
Walk 1004 Durdle Door & Lulworth Coveeasy2.5 miles
Walk 1329 Durdle Door & White Nothe from Lulworth Covemoderate7.0 miles
Walk 3389 Bindon Hill and the Fossil Forest from Lulwortheasy/mod4.0 miles
Walk 2579 Purbeck Coast from Swanagemoderate10.0 miles
Walk 1634 Old Harry & Ballard Down from Studland easy/mod5.3 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

Walking the Jurassic Coast

Walking the Jurassic CoastThis guidebook includes 30 walks on the Jurassic Coast of Devon and Dorset. Covering the coast between Exmouth and Bournemouth, these delightful routes range from 3 to 16 miles (5 to 24km), exploring and explaining the spectacular geology of this World Heritage area with clear, easily understood descriptions, cross-sections and timelines.
More information

South West Coast Path Map Booklet - Minehead to St Ives

South West Coast Path Map Booklet - Minehead to St IvesMap of the northern section of the 630 mile (1014km) South West Coast Path National Trail. Covers the trail from Minehead to St Ives along the north Devon and Cornish 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

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