A landscape of fossil cliffs, chalk ridges, and timeless countryside.
The Dorset National Landscape, stretching across much of rural Dorset and its world-famous Jurassic Coast, is one of the most distinctive places in England for walking holidays and outdoor adventures. From the soaring chalk ridges of the Dorset Downs to the 95-mile sweep of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, this protected area blends ancient landscapes, historic villages, and dramatic seascapes.
Here you can follow long-distance trails across rolling farmland, explore Iron Age hillforts like Maiden Castle, or wander fossil-rich beaches at Lyme Regis, Lulworth Cove, and Chesil Beach. Dorset’s coastal towns, including Weymouth, Swanage, and Lyme Regis, provide lively gateways to the outdoors, while inland market towns and riverside villages reveal the county’s rural charm. Whether you’re tracing the South West Coast Path, climbing hillforts, or kayaking along the cliffs, Dorset offers a journey through deep time and natural beauty.
Counties: Dorset
South West Coast Path (Dorset Sections)
This world-famous National Trail follows the Jurassic Coast, passing Durdle Door, Chesil Beach, and Golden Cap — the highest point on the south coast.
Jurassic Coast Walks
Shorter routes along the UNESCO coastline, including fossil-hunting at Charmouth, the dramatic arches at Durdle Door, and the chalk stacks of Old Harry Rocks.
Hardy Way
A 220-mile literary trail linking the landscapes of Thomas Hardy’s novels, weaving through heathlands, villages, and chalk downs.
Wessex Ridgeway
An inland ridge-top route connecting the Marlborough Downs with Lyme Regis, offering far-reaching views across Dorset’s rolling countryside.
It covers much of Dorset’s countryside and coastline, including the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
The South West Coast Path along the Jurassic Coast is a highlight, while inland routes like Hambledon Hill and the Wessex Ridgeway offer quieter, panoramic walks.
Yes — shorter coastal walks at Durdle Door, Old Harry Rocks, and Chesil Beach are ideal for families, with plenty of accessible routes.
Weymouth, Swanage, Lyme Regis, Dorchester, and Bridport all provide gateways into the landscape.
Spring and summer bring wildflowers, fossil-hunting, and long days; autumn offers dramatic skies and quieter trails; winter walking along the Jurassic Coast can be spectacular.