Durlston Country Park Short Walk
Durlston Country Park Walking Route - 1.3 mile walk with Durlston Castle and the Globe
Walking Routes in the Isle of Purbeck
Few corners of England reward walkers like the Isle of Purbeck. In a single compact peninsula you can follow the Jurassic Coast past Old Harry Rocks, cross open heathland alive with rare wildlife, climb the chalk ridge for views to the Isle of Wight, and end the day beneath the broken towers of Corfe Castle.
Walking in Purbeck
A landscape made for walking
The Isle of Purbeck is laced with footpaths, bridleways, and coast paths, threading together cliffs, heath, downland, woodland, and stone-built villages, much of it protected and freely open to walkers.
The world-famous South West Coast Path runs along the southern and eastern shores, and an excellent, well-signposted starting point for many walks is Durlston Country Park, just above the town. The National Trust owns Studland Heath and much of the surrounding land, keeping it open, well-maintained, and grazed by hardy livestock behind discreet fencing. Whether you want a gentle hour's stroll or a full day on the cliffs and hills, there is a route to suit.
For the truly ambitious, a classic Purbeck circuit starts at Swanage seafront, follows the cliff path westward towards Kimmeridge, then turns inland to Corfe Castle and returns to Swanage along the crest of the Purbeck Hills, roughly 20 miles, with some of the finest views in southern England from the ridge. The routes below range from a 1.3-mile amble to that grand day out.
Jurassic Coast - Cliff Paths
The coast path & Old Harry
Purbeck's coastline is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and walking it is the headline experience. North and east of Swanage, the chalk of Ballard Down ends in the dramatic sea stacks of Old Harry Rocks, with the South West Coast Path leading on to Studland Bay and the Sandbanks chain ferry. South and west, the limestone cliffs run past Durlston, Dancing Ledge, and St Aldhelm's Head towards the secluded inlet of Chapman's Pool.
These walks range from the gentle 1.3 mile-Durlston circuit to a 7.6-mile point-to-point along the coast path to Sandbanks. Cliff edges can be unfenced and the ground uneven so sturdy footwear and a careful eye on children and dogs are essential.
Walking Routes
Corfe Castle Walk
Starting in the National Trust Car Park, below Corfe Castle, this level walking route takes you alongside the Swanage Steam Railway to Norden
Hartland Moor Walk
This is a flat easy walk around Hartland Moor near the Arne nature reserve with views over Poole Harbour and across to Corfe Castle on well maintained grassy paths and gravel trails.
Norden to Scotland Heath
An easy level walk around the heathland at starting at Norden, crossing fields and woodland to Scotland heath near Corfe Castle before returning on quiet roads.
Studland Village and Fort Henry Walk
This is a 2 mile walk starting at the Middle Beach Car park in Studland and exploring Fort Henry
Kilwood Nature Reserve Walk
This is a hilly 2.5 mile walk exploring the north side of the Purbeck hills between Norden and Creech including the Kilwood Nature Reserve.
Chapmans Pool to Houns Tout
A hilly 3.5 mile walk along good tracks and paths down to Chapmans Pool then up steep steps to the top of Houns Tout
Hartland Way
A flat 3.6 mile walk along good tracks following parts of the Hartland Way walk along disused clay mining railway lines.
Durlston to Priest Way
This is a 4 mile walk around Durlston Country Park and the Townsend Nature Reserve which crosses part of Priests Way.
The Obelisk Walk
A walk with steep hills and stunning views over Swanage, Studland and Poole Harbour from the Purbeck Hills
Durlston to Dancing Ledge Walk
This is a 5.75 mile walk from Durlston Country Park to Dancing Ledge following the upper path on the cliffs and Jurassic Coast and returns via Priests Way and Townsend nature reserve.
Corfe to Swanage Walk
A 6.2 mile point to point walk from Corfe Castle, heading across Corfe Common and following footpaths along the valley to Swanage and ending at the railway station.
South West Coast Path Swanage to Sandbanks Ferry
A 7.6 mile point to point walk from Swanage, heading onto the Purbeck Hills, past Old Harry Rocks to Studland and walking the entire length of Studland Beach to the chain ferry.
Heathland - Hills - History
Heathland, the ridge & Corfe Castle
Away from the coast, Purbeck offers a gentler but no less rewarding kind of walking. The National Trust heaths at Studland, Hartland Moor, and Scotland Heath are flat, easy, and rich in wildlife, all six native British reptiles live here, alongside Dartford warblers and rare dragonflies. The walks around Norden and the Hartland Way follow the trackbeds of disused clay-mining railways, a quiet reminder of Purbeck's industrial past.
Rising above it all is the Purbeck ridge, with the unmistakable silhouette of Corfe Castle guarding the only natural gap in the hills. Walks from Corfe village, over West Hill, and up to the Obelisk reward the climb with sweeping panoramas over Swanage, Studland, Poole Harbour, and the chalk continuing to the Isle of Wight.
Before you set off
A few practical pointers for walking in Purbeck.
Maps
The OS Explorer OL15 (Purbeck & South Dorset) map covers the whole area and is the single most useful thing to carry. Printed maps are also available in local shops in Swanage.
Where to Start
Durlston Country Park, well-signposted from Swanage town centre, is an excellent base for many walks and has parking, a visitor centre, and a café.
South West Coast Path
England's longest National Trail runs right through the area, hugging the cliffs from Swanage round to Studland and on towards the Sandbanks ferry.
National Trust Land
Much of Studland Heath and the surrounding land is National Trust-owned, kept open and well-maintained, with livestock grazed behind fencing to manage the habitat.
Linear Walks by Rail
The Swanage Railway links Swanage, Corfe Castle, and Norden, making point-to-point walks easy, walk one way and ride back. Check the railway timetable.
Cliff Safety
Coastal cliffs are high and often unfenced, and the rock can be unstable. Keep to the path, stay back from edges, and take particular care with children and dogs.
A Longer Walk
The 20-mile Purbeck circuit
For walkers who want the full sweep of the peninsula in a single day, the classic Purbeck round is hard to beat. Start at Swanage seafront and pick up the coast path heading west, following the cliffs past Durlston, Dancing Ledge, and St Aldhelm's Head towards Kimmeridge. Turn inland to Corfe Castle, then climb to the crest of the Purbeck Hills and follow the ridge all the way back east to Swanage. It's roughly 20 miles with serious ascent, but the reward is the entire Isle of Purbeck laid out beneath you with the coast, heath, harbour, and castle, from the top of the ridge. An enjoyable day out for fit, well-prepared walkers.
Plan your walk
Quick Facts
Walker tips
- Carry the OS Explorer OL15 map and check the forecast, the ridge and cliffs are exposed, and phone signal can be patchy.
- Cliff edges are often unfenced and the rock can be unstable; keep to the path and take extra care with children and dogs.
- Wear proper footwear, many walks involve steep climbs, steps, or ground that turns muddy in winter.
- The villages make ideal refreshment stops: pubs and cafés at Corfe Castle, Studland, Worth Matravers (the Square & Compass), and Kingston (the Scott Arms).
- On National Trust heath and farmland, keep dogs under close control near grazing livestock and ground-nesting birds, especially in spring.
- Use the Swanage Railway to turn long coast or valley walks into easy linear routes, walk out, ride back.