Durdle door and white nothe circular walk
DISTANCE: 11.3KM
Start: Lulworth Cove or durdle door holiday park
time: 3.5-5 hours (factor in photo stops!)
Durdle Door is a beautiful pinnacle of the British coast. Beautiful, but often busy. I planned to go off-season so a day sat on the beach was a no go. Spending one day hiking the South West Coastal Path on the other hand sounded like a great idea. Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door is a lovely walk, but short, so I decided to do the circular Durdle Door hike. This includes Lulworth Cove, but also a quieter section of the South West Coastal Path.
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information on how to see Durdle Door at sunrise
other durdle door hike options
general useful information
The South West Coastal Path starts in Somerset, goes through Cornwall and ends at Poole Harbour. It is also the longest national trail in the UK what is amazing. One day I would like to hike the entire 52 days and 630 miles, but as I was limited to one day, I decided to walk one of the most scenic sections of the path. After researching Durdle Door walks, I happened across this circular option, which includes a part of the South West Coastal Path. Below is a breakdown of this hike.
1. decide where to start: lulworth cove or durdle door?
The start of the Durdle Door and White Nothe Circular route is meant to be Lulworth Cove. This is where you will start and finish your hike if you opt to begin here. However I wanted to see Durdle Door at sunrise, and had a two hour drive to get there. After some research, I figured the easiest way to get to sunrise in time would be to park in Durdle Door Holiday Park, and go to Lulworth Cove at the end of my hike.
start: Lulworth cove to durdle door
It is worth wandering around tranquil Lulworth Cove before tackling the 400ft ascent up Hambury Tout to Durdle Door. There is a nice 15 minute loop you can walk to admire the bobbing fishing boats, rock formations and curved bay. Plus, there are more facilities here. These include a few shops, a Visitor Centre (10am-5pm), and ice cream (of course). The hike to Durdle Door is clearly signposted and on a dry day it is likely you will see a trail of people tackling the same route.
Whilst the path is well maintained, it can be slippery on rainy days. Take your time and enjoy the views back towards Lulworth Cove.
To note: Hiking the South West Coastal Path from Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door has two trail options. You will soon notice a fork in the path. To the right is a well marked path, to the left; a path which hugs along the clifftops right on the coast.. This way means you hike directly to Durdle Door instead of meeting the path halfway between the car park and Durdle Door.
how to see durdle door at sunrise
A newly discovered option: Newlands Meadow car park which opens at 6am, and is 1500m from Durdle Door.
My option: If you are not staying in Lulworth Cove, the Durdle Door Holiday Park, or wild camping on the beach/ nearby, the easiest way to get to Durdle Door for sunrise is to head to the Durdle Door Holiday Park. The barrier will be down early, as it usually opens around 8am. However on the left hand side before the barrier entrance is a small inlet that I parked in. This can be seen on Google Maps. A signposted footpath to the left of this will take you along a small tree lined trail to Durdle Door. You will see the holiday park to your right.
Another possible option: Others speak of a grass verge seen on Google Maps half a mile from the entrance or parking on the main road, however I cannot comment on this because I did not park here.
I brought breakfast and coffee with me to enjoy on the beach as the sun rose. It was perfect to get here so early (and a bit chilly so bring a jacket or blanket!) Why? Well there was only one other person on the beach who had wild camped there. Their star photos and sunset shots of Durdle Door were incredible. Plus, I had plenty of time to complete the hike and enjoy this part of Dorset’s Jurassic Coast.
Fun fact: During mid-December to January, you can see the famous sunrise through the ‘keyhole’ of Durdle Door.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Make sure you move your car as soon as, or just before, the Durdle Door Holiday Park opens if you park where I have suggested.
Your car could get towed if caught in the inlet as it is meant for tourist buses from what I recall. I decided to just move my car to the Durdle Door Holiday Park and adapt the following Durdle Door hike, by walking to Lulworth Cove at the end of the hike.
For information on Durdle Door car parks click here. Durdle Door Holiday Park postcode: BH20 5PU.
Alternatively: Lulworth Cove car park is open 24 hours a day. If you feel willing, park here and allow 45 minutes to walk to Durdle Door before sunrise. Bring a torch!
For Lulworth Cove Car Park (BH20 5RQ) information click here.
From durdle door
Detour via the beach, to get a closer look at the limestone rock folded around softer layers of Durdle Door’s famous arch. It is a steep descent, but worth it. Spend some time relaxing on the beach if weather permits.
Fun facts: The limestone was formed in the Jurassic period 140 millions ago! Plus, above the arch of Durdle Door is the fossilised remains of a forest, drowned by increased sea levels. Check out more of this at Lulworth Cove.
Head down the scratchy bottom valley
Once you get back up to the viewpoint of Durdle Door, take time admiring the scenery before continuing hiking the West Coastal Path. The trail continues down to the valley of interestingly named ‘Scratchy Bottom’, which is featured in the 1967 movie of Tom Hardy’s book ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’.
At this point you will also see what type of trail you have ahead of you. Steep ascents along the salty carved cliffs, with fresh ocean licked air.
up the heads and to the cottages
The trail is well defined at this point and you will go up and down Swyre Head and Bat’s Head. There is also a mini Durdle Door, called Bat’s Hole. The fourth and final descent and ascent will take you to the former coastguard White Nothe Cottages. Take your time here admiring the views from the old Pillbox shelter from the Second World War, or take the path down White Nothe named ‘Smuggler’s Path’ to the shore.
Fun fact: White Nothe is the end of the distinct white cliffs. You will notice the rock changes as the coast snakes round to Weymouth in the distance.
retrace your footsteps to daggers gate
Retrace your steps back along the South West Coastal Path until you reach the gate ‘Daggers Gate’ on your left. This is the point where you need to pay attention to the path or risk going off-trail for a while like me.
from daggers gate
Unless you want to walk back the same way, enter the field through the gate. Follow the path along the left hand side of the field before you meet a Bridleway (horse path). At this point turn right and follow the path across the field.
You will pass through another field to a third. This is where I got lost (maybe because there were so many cows who were not interested in moving so I went off the path). Also the weather took a turn and it was pouring. Hence why most my photos are of the South West Coastal Path section of this Durdle Door hike!
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after the third field head towards ‘newlands farm’
So. After you have passed the third field, head right on the fork in the path to stick on the ‘Old Daggers Gate Road’. This footpath has a sign for ‘Newlands Farm’. At this point on a relatively clear day you should be able to see the campsite ahead. Keep to the left of the field and pass through the gate.
Keep heading along this footpath for Newlands Farm.
turn right to the durdle door Holiday park
There will be a track for Newlands Farm. It becomes more defined and is no longer just a field footpath. Walk until you get to the Durdle Door Holiday Cottages. Walk round them and turn right here to follow the track to the Holiday Park. Follow the signs through to the beach car park.
You made it back to Durdle Door!
Tip: If like me you go mildly wrong, retrace your steps to stick to trail if possible. As long as you keep the Durdle Door Holiday Park in sight and head in this direction, you should be good.
to get to lulworth cove
To finish this Durdle Door hike, or like me, visit Lulworth Cove from Durdle Door at the end of this hike, you have two options. Lulworth Cove is signposted and you can walk the main way, which is more likely to be busy, and means you will no longer be on this circular Durdle Door hike. However it is easier to follow.
Alternatively do the Hilltop West Lulworth trail to get to Lulworth Cove and return the main way. For the Hilltop West Lulworth Trail, at the entrance of the Durdle Door Holiday park car park you will see a fence, behind a field with the path heading up the hill. Go through this gate and follow the path up. Stay on the left. Keep going until you get to the gate at the end of the second field. The path will then take you around the hill and start bearing right back to Lulworth Cove Car park.
started at durdle door holiday park?
If like me you parked in Durdle Door Holiday Park and started this hike here, you can take the Hilltop Lulworth Cove hike on the way. Then from Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door head back on the main path described at the beginning of this post under ‘start at Lulworth Cove’. Again, to note hiking the South West Coastal trail towards Durdle Door offers two walking trails. You will notice a fork in the path. To the right; a well marked path, to the left; a path which hugs along the clifftops more. This way means you hike directly to Durdle Door instead of having to turn left again once back at the path to Durdle Door, which takes you from the car park to the beach and viewpoint.
other durdle door hikes
- Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door hike (2km), as described at the beginning and end of the Durdle Door White Nothe Circular trail.
- Bindon Hill Walk: This is 6.7km and goes above Lulworth Cove. It starts at West Lulworth Car Park. Follow signs to Stair Hole.
- Stick to the 15-25 minute path to Durdle Door’s beach. The path back is still steep so take your time.
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useful information for visiting/ this durdle door hike
*Check up to date travel information as always during 2020. At the time of writing the car parks were open, but Durdle Door Holiday Park required advanced booking and there was a limit to how many visitors were allowed in. Plus a one way system had been implemented on the path to Durdle Door. *
- Get there: By car is easiest. Check the links at the beginning of this article for up to date car park costs. As it is all on the private Lulworth Estate, there is no close all day free parking as far as I am aware.
By train: Wool station is the nearest, on the South Western Rail line. From here you can take one of the bus services. Searches online bring up different numbers including 15, 30, 104 and X55. Services are always changing and I could only find times for 30 and X55 so research before your trip. Or get the train to Bournemouth then a bus to Poole then the X54 bus to Durdle Door.
By bus: National Express is an option. Take it to Poole then take the bus connection X54 to West Lulworth.
By tour: From Poole or Bournemouth take this half day tour if you want convenience but it is unlikely you can complete the Durdle Door and White Nothe Circular hike in this time. - Accessibility: Lulworth Cove Visitor Centre may be able to offer use of their off-road mobility scooter. Call the Centre on: 01929400587.
- Eat: There are more options at Lulworth Cove. Sometimes at the Durdle Door there is a vendor by the car park. There are also picnic tables but be prepared for a lot of wind here due to how exposed it is. I brought my own food and purchased coffee from the vendor.
- Bring: Snacks, 2L water, and a rain jacket. A warm blanket if also nice if you want to visit at sunrise. A torch is essential if you get there before light. Plus coffee and whatever else you want for breakfast on the beach!
Also check the weather and consider seasonal items like warm clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Whilst a map is not necessary for this hike, it is useful to familiarise yourself with the satellite view of this hike on google maps. Also check this map for a general sense of the Durdle Door and White Nothe Circular Walk.
Also wear sensible walking shoes for the hike. I personally wore hiking shoes because of the steep descents. I also had my hiking poles but I slip all the time. - Other activity options: Lulworth Outdoors based at the Visitor Centre in Lulworth Cove offers activities such as mountain biking. I did not brave a swim partly due to the weather, and partly because the current appeared strong. Follow local guidelines and always take safety precautions.
- Talking of safety: Once you leave the well trodden trail to Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, there may be little to no people. As always take general precautions when hiking solo.
TIPS FOR SOLO HIKING AS A WOMAN
The Jurassic Coast is stunning, and Durdle Door is one of its most iconic sights. It is not hard to see why this is England’s one and only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site, with millions of years of history. To experience a one day hike here, I believe the Durdle Door and White Nothe Circular trail is your best option. Plus, you may get to bump into some hikers who are completing sections or hiking all of the South West Coastal trail.
I hope you enjoy it!
have you hiked the durdle door and white nothe circular hike? do you have other hike experiences or tips for sunrise at durdle door? let me know your experiences below.
