Ask me what my favourite experience was exploring the Jurassic Coast and you can be pretty certain that the hike from Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove will grace the top of that list.
Scrolling haphazardly through Instagram on a grey winter afternoon some months ago, it was a photograph of this very spot dressed in a dusting of snow that first landed Durdle Door on my radar.
Protruding over vivid blue water, eroded by time and nature, the natural limestone arch that is Durdle Door is one of the Jurassic Coast’s most iconic sights. Yet what I had not anticipated was that a short walk along the cliffs beyond would yield something else just as impressive. The striking scallop-shaped Lulworth cove formed approximately 10,000 years ago.
Pair the two together and you’re in for one hell of a scenic hike.
With windswept coastal views along the cliffs that descend down into Lulworth Cove, it’s an easily manageable distance and was accompanied by some of my absolute favourite views in Dorset.
Here’s everything you need to know to hike from Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove.
Good to know before
- Hiking from Durdle Door beach to Lulworth Cove takes around 45 minutes
- The hike is 2.6 miles (round trip)
- Set aside at least half a day for this hike to allow 1 hour 30 for the round trip – you can easily spend an hour in both Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove so allow time to explore and enjoy the views
Durdle Door Beach
For this hike, I would recommend parking at Durdle Door car park and then taking the steps down to Durdle Door beach to explore. We walked right to the end of the golden shingle beach, taking photos and admiring the dramatic white cliffs as well as Durdle Door itself.
Once you have seen Durdle Door in all its glory at beach level, next you can climb back up onto the cliffs the way you came to admire it from above.
At the top of the beach stairs, make a left and take the path along the cliffs for five to ten minutes. When you turn back, you’ll have a stunning view of Durdle Door beach from above.
The Hike to Lulworth Cove
Once you’ve spent some time at Durdle Door, take the same path you just took back towards the car park. En route, you will pass the stunning Man O’war Bay, a beautiful bay edged by jewel-toned waters right next to Durdle Door.
Just before you reach the car park again, you’ll see a new path that veers down to the right, which is the one you need to take next.
This path will lead you to Lulworth Cove via a beautiful coastal path with views over boundless sea, then passing through the picturesque village of West Lulworth.
Once we reached West Lulworth, we took the opportunity to grab a delicious fish and chips lunch to go from Finley’s Café, which we ate on the beach at Lulworth Cove.
Lulworth Cove
Lulworth Cove is another natural marvel. Its unique wine glass shape, paired with a white pebble beach set against bright blue water is simply stunning.
As well as enjoying the calmness of the beach itself, at Lulworth Cove, you can hike up both sides of the cliffs. The left side is the harder option of the two, involving a steep and muddy scramble so proper hiking shoes are needed for this, especially in wetter conditions.
The right side of the cliffs is much easier to climb. Simply take the path next to the Boat Shed café for about 5 minutes and you will reach the top.
From both sides, you will have great views over the Cove, and if you follow the SW Coast Path along on the latter, you will come to another unique rock formation called the Stair Hole.
Top Tips for Hiking from Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove
- You can download the offline map of the area in Google Maps to have it saved on your phone
- Weather can be can be fairly unpredictable in Dorset so pack a hooded waterproof coat and lots of layers especially in winter and autumn
- Wear proper hiking shoes
- If you wake up early for sunrise at Durdle Door, you will have the whole place to yourselves
- There is car parking at Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door – tickets purchased at either are interchangeable. You can view parking prices here. The ticket machines we used at Durdle Door accepted bank cards
- If you go during summer, bring your swimming gear and a towel as the water is warm enough to swim!
- Take plenty of water with you and pack some snacks
How to Get to Durdle Door
It takes around 2 hours 45 minutes to drive to Durdle Door from London.
The nearest railway station is Wool (on the London Waterloo to Weymouth line). Bus numbers 15, 30, X54 and X55 connect Wool Railway Station to West Lulworth for Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door.
Where to stay in Dorset
Depending on your budget and preferences, there are plenty of options to choose from. I’ve narrowed down my top accommodation picks in the list below:
No 98. Boutique Hotel – For our weekend in Dorset, we stayed in this friendly and cosy hotel in Weymouth. Head here for rooms with sea views and interiors inspired by the shoreside. It served as a good base for exploring the Dorset coastline.
Lulworth Lodge – We had initially set our sights on staying here had it not been fully booked. The location is really convenient for exploring both Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door.
The Pig On The Beach – At this country house hotel homely charm is combined with luxury and countryside views. Situated along Studland Bay, it’s within walking distance of the famous Old Harry’s Rocks and is less than an hour’s drive away from Durdle Door.
Browse other accommodation options here:
Booking.comPlanning a trip to the Jurassic Coast from London? Check out this Ultimate Weekend Itinerary.
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