6-Day Exmouth to Poole Itinerary — Fastpacker Pace (SWCP Section 6)

Leaving Exmouth's Esplanade, the trail begins along the wide sandy beach, soon ascending to Orcombe Point, marked by the Geoneedle, signalling the Jurassic Coast. Following the red sandstone cliffs, the path skirts Devon Cliffs Holiday Park, with South Beach Cafe offering views over Sandy Bay. After a steep descent into Budleigh Salterton, noted for its pebble beach and estuary, the route briefly heads inland along the River Otter, crossing a bridge before rejoining the coast. The trail then weaves through low cliffs and fields, past the impressive sea stacks of Ladram Bay, where refreshments are on hand at the holiday park. A demanding woodland climb reaches High Peak, the route's highest point, before a rapid descent via the historic Jacob's Ladder brings you to Connaught Gardens and Sidmouth's beach, with the Clock Tower Cafe providing a final scenic refreshment stop.

From Sidmouth, the path climbs Salcombe Hill Cliff, traversing wildflower meadows before descending to Weston Mouth, then ascending Weston Cliff to the Iron Age earthworks at Berry Castle Camp. Branscombe Mouth introduces the distinctive black anchor of the MSC Napoli and the contrast between red sandstone and white chalk cliffs, with the Sea Shanty Beach Cafe offering refreshments. A detour inland leads to the Masons Arms at Vicarage. The Hooken Undercliff, a dramatic landslip area, then presents a unique, atmospheric landscape before the route reaches Beer, renowned for its historic quarry caves. After crossing Seaton Bay and the River Axe via Britain's oldest concrete bridge, the path enters the remarkable Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs National Nature Reserve, a 7km section of wilderness sculpted by landslips. Emerging near Lyme Regis, famous for its fossil history, the route now heads inland, crossing Lyme Regis Golf Course and descending through fields before a steep drop to Charmouth village and its fossil-rich beach.

The stage from Charmouth heads inland towards Lyme Regis Golf Course before a steep descent into Charmouth village, renowned for its fossil-rich Jurassic coastline. From Charmouth, a steep climb up Stonebarrow Hill and then a challenging ascent to Golden Cap, the South West Coast's highest point, rewards with panoramic views. Descending to Seatown, the route continues over challenging terrain including Doghouse Hill and Thorncombe Beacon, before reaching Eype Mouth and then West Bay, Bridport's historic harbour where the iconic golden cliffs feature. Leaving West Bay, the path climbs East Cliff, descends to Burton Freshwater, then ascends Burton Cliff to Hive Beach, and continues along Cogden Beach and West Bexington. The route then traverses the dramatic 18-mile Chesil Beach, a graded shingle ridge formed during the Ice Age, before turning inland to the historic village of Abbotsbury, home to its famous Swannery and subtropical gardens, with refreshments available at The Ilchester Arms.

Leaving Abbotsbury, the route ascends Linton Hill before descending to skirt Langton Herring, where refreshments are available at The Elm Tree Inn. The path then follows the edge of The Fleet lagoon, past Moonfleet Manor Hotel, reaching the ruins of East Fleet's Holy Trinity Church before navigating MOD training areas and arriving at the outskirts of Weymouth. A detour leads into the town before crossing the causeway to Portland. Progressing via Tout Quarry sculpture park and clifftop paths, the route reaches Portland Bill lighthouse. The return journey traverses the eastern shoreline, passing Freshwater Bay and Church Ope Cove with its Rufus Castle ruins, before following the former Merchants' Railway alignment back across the causeway. Continuing along the coast, passing Sandsfoot Castle and Nothe Point, the final destination is Weymouth Harbour.

The stage moves away from Weymouth's harbour along the esplanade, transitioning from urban seafront towards rural cliff-top walking with increasingly dramatic coastal scenery. Navigating unstable, geologically challenging terrain between Bowleaze Cove and Osmington Mills, requiring careful attention to waymarking, the route passes the historic Smugglers Inn offering welcome refreshment. Steep climbs reveal sweeping panoramas before the path traverses more challenging, fault-prone chalk downlands towards Ringstead Bay, then passes the imposing White Nothe headland with its natural arch, Bat’s Hole, and chalk stack Butter Rock. After exhilarating ascents and descents over chalk cliffs, past scattered sea stacks like The Bull, the trail crosses Swyre Head, Dorset’s highest vertical chalk cliff, before descending towards the iconic Durdle Door. The final approach to Lulworth Cove involves ascending Hambury Tout before reaching the horseshoe bay. From West Lulworth, the route enters the Lulworth Military Range, accessible only when not undergoing live firing, following yellow marker posts over dramatic cliff edges above Mupe Bay, passing the Fossil Forest, and experiencing roller-coaster climbs and descents. The path reaches Arish Mell and Flowers Barrow before a steep descent into Worbarrow Bay. Exiting the military zone, the route passes an oil well and cottages, descending towards Kimmeridge Bay, marked by the relocated Clavell Tower. Kimmeridge Bay provides facilities including toilets and refreshments at the Boat on the Bay Cafe.

The South West Coast Path stages from Kimmeridge Bay to Poole traverse a dramatic and geologically rich landscape, requiring careful planning due to access restrictions across the Lulworth Military Range. This vital section, demanding steep ascents and descents over roller-coaster terrain, guides walkers past the remarkable Fossil Forest and Iron Age hill fort at Flowers Barrow, with views towards Lulworth Castle. Facilities are available at Kimmeridge Bay before the path undulates along the coast, past disused quarries and the iconic Dancing Ledge, offering plentiful wildflower and sea bird sightings, with a notable stop at Durlston Country Park and its Great Globe. The route then descends towards Swanage, passing Peveril Point, before ascending Studland Hill towards the iconic chalk stacks of Old Harry Rocks. Finally, the path meanders through Studland village, passing the Bankes Arms pub and offering refreshments at Joe's Cafe, before concluding at South Haven Point, marked by the SWCP monument and telephone box.