Section 86 of 218, King Charles III England Coast Path
Durlston to South Haven Point
9 miles (14.5 km). About 3½ hours, moderate.
Start: SZ 033 777. Finish: SZ 036 866. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
Warning: Diversion in place. Part of this route is closed or diverted for now. In Suffolk, the National Trust says the path across Dunwich Heath and its beach is closed after a wildfire, with no pedestrian access. In Somerset, the council says three short sections near the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier (Pawlett, Chilton Trinity and Express Park) are closed for construction works, and a long-term diversion is in place around Hinkley Point C. Source: somerset.gov.uk.
Up and down
About 220 m of climbing and 276 m of descent; highest point 113 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Durlston.
- Car parks
- Car park (pay), 390 m from the start. Directions SZ 032 773Car park (pay), 420 m from the start. Directions SZ 032 773Car park, 440 m from the start. Directions SZ 031 773
No bus stop or station within a kilometre of the start. Nearest: the bus stop at Swanage Bus Station, 1.2 km away (Directions); Swanage station (heritage railway), 1.2 km away (Directions).
Getting back
The section finishes at South Haven Point. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stops
- Shell Bay Ferry, 90 m from the finish. Directions SZ 035 865Sandbanks Ferry, 460 m from the finish. Directions SZ 037 870
Planning the King Charles III England Coast Path
- Planning the whole trail: nationaltrail.co.uk.
What to expect
Underfoot: earth, rock and mud 43%, paved or flagged 24%, gravel and tracks 14%, grass 11%.
About 14% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 2 kissing gates, 3 gates, 6 flights of steps.
Steepest climb: about 79 m in a kilometre (1 in 13), starting 3 miles in.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Walked it? Log it
Something wrong or missing?
Tell us what to change about this section: a wrong distance, a moved start, a path that's closed.