Walks in Lulworth
Lulworth is one of the best places on the Jurassic Coast for walking. From the village, you can head towards Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, follow the South West Coast Path along the cliffs, explore the countryside around Lulworth Castle or, when the ranges are open, discover some of the quieter coastline beyond the usual tourist spots.
Whether you’re looking for a short walk to a viewpoint, a few hours on the coast path or a longer circular route, there are plenty of ways to explore Lulworth on foot.
Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door
Distance: Approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) round trip
Time: Allow around 1.5–2 hours, depending on stops
Difficulty: Moderate
This is the classic Lulworth walk and one of the most popular sections of the Jurassic Coast.
From Lulworth Cove, the path climbs up onto the cliffs before continuing towards Durdle Door, with spectacular views along the coastline. You’ll pass the famous Man O’War Bay before reaching the iconic limestone arch at Durdle Door.
The route involves some steep climbs and uneven ground, but the views make it well worth the effort.
Tip: Don’t forget that getting down to Durdle Door beach involves a steep flight of steps. You don’t need to go down all the way to the beach to enjoy the walk and views, but you will need to walk part of the path to see the arch formation
Lulworth Cove Circular Walk
Distance: Varies depending on the route
Time: Around 1–2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
If you don’t want to walk all the way to Durdle Door, you can enjoy a shorter circular walk around Lulworth Cove and the surrounding countryside.
The cliffs above the cove provide wonderful viewpoints back towards the horseshoe-shaped bay, while paths through the countryside give you a different perspective of the landscape.
This is a good option if you want to experience the scenery without committing to a longer coastal walk.
Lulworth Estate have a tramping route here too – so if you have mobility issues, enquire with the visitor centre about their tramper which is available to hire (£2.50 per hour for members of Countryside Mobility)
Lulworth Cove to White Nothe
Distance: Approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 km)
Time: Around 2.5–3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Head west from Lulworth Cove along the South West Coast Path towards White Nothe.
This is a beautiful section of the Jurassic Coast, with dramatic cliff scenery, open countryside and far-reaching views across the English Channel.
It is less crowded than the popular route towards Durdle Door and makes a good choice if you’ve already explored the eastern side of Lulworth.
Walk to Mupe Bay
Distance: Varies depending on route and range access
Time: Allow several hours for a leisurely outing
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Mupe Bay is one of the quieter and more secluded parts of the Lulworth coastline.
The bay can be reached on foot when the Lulworth Ranges are open to the public. It is a beautiful place to take a picnic and enjoy a much quieter stretch of the Jurassic Coast.
Important: Access to the Lulworth Ranges is restricted at certain times for military training. Always check the current range access times before setting out.
Lulworth Castle and Park
The countryside around Lulworth Castle offers a completely different walking experience from the dramatic coastal cliffs.
Explore the parkland, woodland and countryside surrounding the castle and enjoy a gentler walk away from the busy coastal hotspots.
It’s a particularly good option if you want a walk that isn’t entirely coastal, or if you’re visiting Lulworth Castle as part of your day.
The South West Coast Path
The South West Coast Path passes directly through Lulworth, making the village a fantastic base for longer coastal walks.
You can walk east towards Durdle Door and the Purbeck coast or west towards White Nothe and beyond.
You don’t have to tackle a long-distance route to enjoy the Coast Path. Pick a section that suits your time and fitness, then turn around and return to Lulworth.
Walks on the Lulworth Ranges
Some of the most spectacular and least-developed coastline around Lulworth lies within the Lulworth Ranges.
When the ranges are open for public access, walkers can explore routes towards places such as Mupe Bay and Worbarrow Bay.
The landscape is wonderfully wild, but access is controlled because the area is used for military training.
Always check the latest Lulworth Range access times before setting off.
You can find the current information on our Lulworth Range Firing Times page.
Walking from West Lulworth
One of the great advantages of staying in West Lulworth is that you can leave the car behind.
From the village, you can walk down to Lulworth Cove, join the South West Coast Path and explore the surrounding countryside without having to find another parking space.
If you’re staying locally, a good walking day could start with breakfast in the village, continue along the coast to Durdle Door or White Nothe, and finish with food and a drink back in West Lulworth.
Tips for walking in Lulworth
Wear sensible footwear. Coastal paths can be steep, uneven and slippery, particularly after wet weather.
Take water. There are stretches of coastline where there are no facilities or shops.
Check the weather. Conditions can change quickly on the exposed cliffs.
Allow more time than you think. The distances may look short on a map, but steep climbs, uneven paths and stops to enjoy the views can make coastal walks take longer than expected.
Check range access times. If your route crosses the Lulworth Ranges, check before setting off rather than assuming the paths are open.
Keep dogs under control. You may encounter livestock as well as other walkers and wildlife.
Stay on the paths. The cliffs are unstable in places and the surrounding landscape is environmentally sensitive.
Which Lulworth walk is best for you?
For the classic Lulworth experience:
Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door.
For dramatic coastal views without going as far:
Lulworth Cove towards White Nothe.
For a quieter adventure:
Our personal favourite: Mupe Bay, when the ranges are open.
For a gentler countryside walk:
Lulworth Castle and its surrounding parkland.
For a longer walking day:
Use Lulworth as your starting point for a section of the South West Coast Path.
More things to do in Lulworth
Walking is one of the best ways to experience Lulworth, but there’s plenty more to explore.
Discover things to do in Lulworth, find out where to eat in Lulworth, or check Lulworth parking before you arrive.
If you’re planning to stay overnight, see our guide to where to stay in Lulworth