Dorset Day 5 - Weymouth to Lulworth Cove

Sunday 23rd June 2024

Distance wise, a slightly easier day today, although still quite a strenuous one and with the mighty atom Rob joining us today, there was no let up on the pace. This section is considered to be one of the best on the entire SWCP - but hadn't we heard that before ! (Beer to Lyme Regis springs to mind).

Classic chalky white cliffs line the route as we headed for Durdle Door, the Dorset coasts most iconic feature - I'd never been there before, but had seen loads of photo's of it. Slightly disappointing for us a it was slightly misty when we arrived, so the photo's wern't as good as I had hoped for.

Then it was onto West Lulworth which was a pretty little village with a great pub and beer garden.

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Distance: 13.4 miles

Duration: 6:45 hours

Ascent: 2333 ft

Difficulty: Moderate/Hard

Accompanied By: Davy & Rob

Weather: Warm & Sunny Intervals

3D outline of route

Parking

A slow start to the morning as we stroll along the sea front at Weymouth. Rob was joining us today, but he's having problems with the trains and we'll have to wait for him to arrive.

Forces Day at Weymouth.

We had a wander round all the vehicles which were preparing to join the parade, whilst we killed a bit of time.

The powerhouse of a walker arrives - time to finish our relaxation and hit the path.

Portland can still be seen in the distance, although the weather is slightly overcast, which is a surprise given all the forecasts for full sun today.

Looking along the coast in the direction of Osmington Mills.

This looks nice - The Smugglers Inn at Osmington Mills.

Ringstead Bay.

Up and down the undulating hills - bit like the Seven Sisters on the South Downs Way.

Scratchy Bottom ? - Nice one.

More undulations. But what excellent walking.

Just past these, we had to do another diversion inland around Swyre Head, not sure why, but it was so misty we couldn't see what the problem was - probably another landslip on the down and up to Durdle Door. Anyway, we took the completely un-signposted diversion and made our way around the top of the head and made our own way back to the coast.

Tempting to get close to the edge, but as you can see, there are plenty of collapses along the way - so it was time to tread carefully.

Durdle Door comes into sight. Well, just about with all this mist ruining the view.

There was loads of people here - It was probably the most populated place we have been to on the entire South West Coast Path.

A selfie must.

A trudge upwards as we dodge all the tourists all heading down to the coast.

10 minutes later and it's glorious !! - I thought better of suggesting we all went back to get a better photo, it may not have been received very well.

Lulworth

West Lulworth and the Castle Inn - Time to sit in the beer garden and enjoy a couple of pints before we work out which pub round here is showing the football.