Hiking Long Stretches of Pristine Coastline
Chesil Beach, extends 17 miles along the coast and is one of the finest barrier beaches in Europe, protecting an important nature reserve. Across the banks, colourful pebbles fluctuate in size - from gravel to golf balls. Experienced night fishermen can tell where they are on the beach, just by the size of the stones beneath their feet!
You stay in the beautifully preserved village of Abbotsbury, which has no street lighting and a medieval tithe barn still in use as a storehouse.
Abbotsbury has the oldest managed swan population in the world. For over 600 years a colony of mute swans has been living at Abbotsbury Swannery set up by medieval monks as a food source.
The final part of the walk rises and dips along the cliffs above the natural arch of Durdle Door, and down to Lulworth Cove – a perfect horseshoe bay ringed with magnificent cliffs. Our trip concludes along the chalk cliff tops to famous Old Harry Rocks, standing like guardians of this unique stretch of beautiful coastline on our Jurassic Coast Walk.
Got a taste for hiking Cornwall? The Jurassic Coast is another captivating section of The South West Coast Path - a walking route that clings to the entire coast of Cornwall. From St. Ives, Lands End to the Lizard Peninsula, we have itineraries that take in the most memorable of Cornwall's walking routes and coastal scenery.
To see the full range of itineraries on this path, view our South West Coast Path Walking Holidays here.