Two walks exploring to the north and west of Durdle Door.

Walk 3 is the shorter ( 7 1/2 miles) but much harder going - taking in part of the Coastal Path which is particularly demanding. The return path is common with part of Walk 4 (~9 miles),which although longer is much easier going. During summer weekends the Coast route is often quite busy, whereas you might complete Walk 4 without seeing anyone.

WALK 3. Drive through Durdle Door caravan site to park overlooking the sea. From the park head downhill along a gravel track toward Durdle Door. Just before you reach the steps to go down to the beach, follow orange arrow to head up gentle slope. Then down nearly to sea level at 'Scratchy Bottom' (Thats what its called on the map !).

Then a seriously steep climb to the top of Swyre Head. Pause to enjoy the dramatic coastline while you get your breath back. Then it is steeply down and steeply up again to the top of Bats Head. Down again (once more), then a long but more gradual climb toward an obelisk on the skyline.

Just before reaching the obelisk take the left hand path to sweep round the curve of the dip. Pass a stile away to your right, and make for the next stile which has a notice board and map. (G.R. 778807) If you have had enough cross over the stile and head inland up the hill by the fence, giving a walk of about 5 miles. But most of the hard work has been done by now, so continue westwards along a well defined path. Pass in front of some old coastguard cottages at the top of White Nothe . Continue along the cliff top, over a stile on to steep grassy slope overlooking Ringstead Bay.

Down by the fence to reach a stile giving access to minor road. The area by the stile can be very slippery when wet. Turn right up short steep hill (road is partially brick paved). At the top pass the entrance to New Barn Farm, then immediately turn right through gate (Stone Marker -W.Lulworth 5 - Walk 4 joins here G.R.764819). Down, then uphill in a generally S.E. direction keeping to track. This swings right at top of hill then shortly turn left through steel gate. Keep by fence along left hand side of field to reach another gate. If you have taken the short cut, you rejoin here from your right.

Continue up hill, keeping by fence to your left. You can cut off a corner here but you then miss a massive stone monument to the late Llewelyn Powys, a poet who lived in East Chaldon. Continue through several fields, heading east,keeping near to fences on your left . (Surprise -- Did you expect to come across some examples of modern sculpture in the middle of nowhere ?) Eventually reach a grassy track ,first with fences on both sides, then with a hedge on the right. The track improves and you eventually come out on to a main road. This is Daggers Gate ( Walk 4 leaves here), and you turn right along the road to soon reach entrance to the caravan site.

WALK No 4 . The walk starts from the small village of Winfrith Newburgh,(G.R. 806847) which lies just south of the Wool -Weymouth road (A 352), about three miles west of Wool.

If arriving from the A352 drive right through the village until main road turns sharp left for Lulworth. Here continue straight ahead for a few yards,to park in a small lay by on the right hand side of the road. Start your walk by continuing up the road for a few yards then turn right up a gravel track (S.P. Fossil Farm). At the stone marker bear left following direction for the 'Five Marys'. Go up the left hand side of the field to emerge on to the top of a ridge, heading approximately west. Emerge on to a minor road for a few yards, then when the road goes sharp right, go straight ahead through metal gate, to come out shortly into large field.

Continue along the left hand side of several fields, crossing a minor road in the process. When you reach the second road, turn left and head gently downhill through North Holworth Farm. At the end of the farm buildings swing right up a short steep concrete paved lane. At the top of the hill this becomes a rough gravel track heading approximately south.

Eventually the road swings left, then almost immediately sharp right. But here you go straight ahead through wooden gate (Stone Marker W.Lulworth 5), and head first down , then up hill. You now follow the itinerary for Walk 3 as far as Daggers Gate.

Here, instead of going on to the road, turn sharp left and head uphill on a gravel track between farm buildings. Just after cresting the ridge, turn right in front of small barn,(Sleight Bldgs,G.R 806819) then swing round left, to go through metal gate at the bottom of the hill. Head straight ahead for the next gate, then keep left by the fence. Go through a gate to contine now with the fence and hedging on your right. Join a chalky track to eventually.emerge on to a country road just to the east of East Chaldon .

Turn right and in 3/4 mile reach your car at the end of the village.

If you want more why not combine these two walks by omitting the common section ? This will give you between 10 and 11 miles of very varied walking.

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