Section 85 of 218, King Charles III England Coast Path
Kimmeridge Bay to Durlston
12.2 miles (19.6 km). About 5 hours, moderate.
Start: SY 908 791. Finish: SZ 033 777. 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 700 m of climbing and 656 m of descent; highest point 152 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Kimmeridge Bay.
- Car parks
- Car park, 370 m from the start. Directions SY 908 787Car park, 370 m from the start. Directions SY 908 787
No bus stop or station within a kilometre of the start. Nearest: Norden station (heritage railway), 6.1 km away (Directions).
Getting back
The section finishes at Durlston.
No bus stop or station within a kilometre of the finish. Nearest: the bus stop at Swanage Bus Station, 1.2 km away (Directions); Swanage station (heritage railway), 1.2 km away (Directions).
Planning the King Charles III England Coast Path
- Planning the whole trail: nationaltrail.co.uk.
What to expect
Underfoot: grass 53%, earth, rock and mud 30%, gravel and tracks 11%.
Almost all off road.
On the way: 5 stiles, 6 kissing gates, 10 gates, 2 stream crossings, 15 flights of steps.
Steepest climb: about 133 m in a kilometre (1 in 8), 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.