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

Beginning on Exmouth's Esplanade, the path steers eastward along the wide sandy beach, past beach huts and the lifeboat station, before a steady climb to Orcombe Point, marked by the Jurassic Coast's Geoneedle. Red sandstone cliffs reveal ancient desert landscapes as the trail crosses Devon Cliffs Holiday Park, with South Beach Cafe offering views over Sandy Bay. The well-defined clifftop route offers dramatic panoramas before a steep descent into Budleigh Salterton, ending at its pebble beach by the River Otter. Beyond Budleigh, the path briefly follows the Otter inland before returning to the coast, traversing low cliffs and fields scattered with red sandstone formations and passing the sea stacks at Ladram Bay, where a holiday park provides refreshments. A strenuous woodland ascent then elevates you to High Peak, the route’s highest point, before a steep descent via Jacob's Ladder, historic wooden steps, into the charming town of Sidmouth, where the Clock Tower Cafe awaits with sea views.

From Sidmouth, the path climbs Salcombe Hill Cliff, traversing wildflower meadows, before descending to Weston Mouth with its pebble beach and ascending to Berry Cliff Camp's Iron Age fort. At Branscombe Mouth, the MSC Napoli shipwreck anchor signifies the change from red sandstone to chalk cliffs, with the Sea Shanty Beach Cafe offering refreshments, and a detour to the Masons Arms pub available. The challenging Hooken Undercliff follows a dramatic landslip, a unique landscape of chalk pinnacles and dense vegetation, before reaching Beer, known for its historic quarry caves. After refreshments at The Anchor Inn, the route crosses Britain's oldest concrete bridge over the River Axe, passing Axe Cliff Golf Course and Haven Cliff. The trail then enters the remarkable Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs National Nature Reserve, a 7km wilderness of dense woodland and unstable terrain, before finally arriving in Lyme Regis, a town famed for its fossil discoveries and historic Cobb harbour.

Leaving Seaton, the path crosses Britain's oldest concrete bridge over the River Axe, then climbs past Axe Cliff Golf Course towards the spectacular views from Haven Cliff. It then plunges into the remarkable Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs National Nature Reserve, a 7km wilderness of the UK’s largest active coastal landslide system, rich with dense woodland and diverse wildlife. Emerging into Lyme Regis, famous for Mary Anning and its iconic Cobb harbour, the route heads inland due to coastal instability, crossing Lyme Regis Golf Course before descending to Charmouth village, renowned for its Jurassic coast fossils. A steep climb up Stonebarrow Hill leads to Golden Cap, the highest point on England's south coast, offering breathtaking panoramic views. Descending to Seatown, the challenging terrain continues over Ridge Cliff, Doghouse Hill, and Thorncombe Beacon before reaching Eype Mouth. Finally, after crossing more stream valleys and climbing West Cliff, the dramatic finale descends into West Bay, Bridport's historic harbour, with its distinctive golden cliffs.

Departing West Bay, the path ascends East Cliff before descending to Burton Freshwater, then climbs Burton Cliff to Hive Beach, offering seafood at its café. Continuing along the vast shingle expanse of Chesil Beach, a unique geological bar graded by pebble size, the route skirts The Fleet lagoon before reaching Abbotsbury with its Swannery and tithe barn. Afterwards, the path climbs inland through rolling countryside, passing Langton Herring and then following the tranquil edge of The Fleet lagoon, a vital bird habitat, before finally reaching the urban edge of Weymouth.

Leaving Abbotsbury, the South West Coast Path ascends Linton Hill for panoramic views towards the Isle of Portland, before descending to skirt Langton Herring, where The Elm Tree Inn offers refreshments. The route then follows the edge of The Fleet Lagoon, Britain's largest tidal lagoon, a haven for diverse birdlife, passing Moonfleet Manor Hotel, before reaching the urban outskirts of Weymouth. A 2.5km detour allows exploration of Weymouth town. The path then crosses the causeway to Portland, arriving at Fortuneswell, before climbing steeply to Tout Quarry's sculpture park. Continuing along exposed western clifftops, past Wallsend Cove and towards Portland Bill lighthouse, a notable landmark and refreshment stop, the return northwards traces the eastern shoreline, passing Freshwater Bay and Church Ope Cove with its Rufus Castle ruins, finally returning through Fortuneswell village via the former Merchants' Railway alignment.

The route commences from Fortuneswell, ascending to Tout Quarry's open-air sculpture park and continuing along clifftops past remnants of Portland's stone industry, descending towards Wallsend Cove and the iconic Portland Bill lighthouse, a beacon offering refreshment. Navigating the eastern shore reveals Freshwater Bay, Church Ope Cove with Rufus Castle ruins, and ancient landslide habitats, before returning via the former Merchants' Railway to the causeway. Crossing to the mainland, the path traces the coast past Sandsfoot Castle and Nothe Point to Weymouth Harbour. From Weymouth, the journey progresses through urban seafront before ascending to rural cliff-top walks, traversing geologically unstable terrain between Bowleaze Cove and Osmington Mills, where the Smugglers Inn offers respite. Further east, spectacular chalk downlands lead to Ringstead Bay and the dramatic White Nothe headland, past Bat's Head and sea stacks like The Bull and The Cow. The route then traverses Swyre Head, Dorset's highest vertical chalk cliff, before culminating at the magnificent Durdle Door arch, and finally the horseshoe bay of Lulworth Cove, passing Hambury Tout's Bronze Age barrow.

Leaving West Lulworth Cove, the path enters the Lulworth Military Range, demanding careful navigation and checking access restrictions, before winding along dramatic cliffs above Mupe Bay towards the remarkably preserved Fossil Forest of Jurassic-period flora. After challenging ascents and descents, including to the Iron Age hill fort at Flowers Barrow, walkers arrive at Worbarrow Bay, and then past an oil well and cottages before descending towards Kimmeridge Bay. Here, the relocated Clavell Tower stands guard, and facilities include the Wild Seas Centre and the Boat on the Bay Cafe. The route then climbs Hen Cliff and follows an undulating course, occasionally diverting inland due to erosion, before a severe ascent of 150 metres up Houns-tout Cliff. Beyond Chapman's Pool, the path dips to Hill Bottom.

From Cowton Bottom, the South West Coast Path embarks on an undulating route along the cliff edge, passing Clavell's Hard and offering expansive inland views towards Swyre Head before descending into scrubland above Egmont Bight. The formidable climb up Houns-tout Cliff, a stark ascent via stone steps, rewards judicious walkers with panoramic views and a descent towards the wild beauty of Chapman's Pool, a historically significant site for radar development. Continuing east, the path traverses undulating clifftops, revealing disused quarries, before reaching the distinctive Dancing Ledge, a former quarry with a tidal swimming pool, and passing nautical mile markers. The route then heads towards the automated Anvil Point lighthouse, a vital navigation waypoint, and enters the Durlston Country Park, admiring George Burt's Victorian attractions like Durlston Castle and the Great Globe. After crossing Peveril Point with sweeping views towards Old Harry Rocks and Bournemouth, the path leads through Swanage, a seaside resort with a Victorian pier and steam railway. A final, demanding ascent to Studland Hill offers spectacular vistas before descending to the iconic chalk formations of Old Harry Rocks, the eastern limit of the Jurassic Coast. From Studland's village, the path continues along Shell Bay's sandy beach, ultimately reaching its conclusion at South Haven Point, marked by the official South West Coast Path monument and an iconic red telephone box, with onward ferry connections to Sandbanks.