4-Day Exmouth to Poole Itinerary — Trail Runner Pace (SWCP Section 6)

Starting from Exmouth's Esplanade, the path traces the sandy beach eastward to Orcombe Point, marking the Jurassic Coast's official commencement with its distinctive Geoneedle and red sandstone cliffs. Continually offering spectacular panoramas, the trail winds through Devon Cliffs, overlooking Sandy Bay where the South Beach Cafe provides refreshments, before a steep descent into Budleigh Salterton's pebble beach by the River Otter. After crossing the river and its nature reserve, the route returns to dramatic red sandstone formations, passing Ladram Bay’s sea stacks where a holiday park offers amenities, before a challenging woodland ascent to High Peak, the route’s highest point. Descending steeply via Jacob's Ladder to Sidmouth, refreshments can be found at the Clock Tower Cafe, before the path traverses Salcombe Hill Cliff, wildflower meadows, and Weston Cliff, reaching Berry Camp's Iron Age fort. At Branscombe Mouth, the anchor from the MSC Napoli shipwreck signals the shift to chalk cliffs, with the Sea Shanty Beach Cafe serving refreshments and the Masons Arms offering a detour inland. The route then navigates the atmospheric Hooken Undercliff, a unique landslip landscape, before reaching Beer, famed for its ancient quarry caves and offering refreshments at The Anchor Inn. After crossing the River Axe via Britain's oldest concrete bridge, the path climbs past Axe Cliff Golf Course to Haven Cliff, then enters the remarkable Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs National Nature Reserve, a 7km wilderness of active landslips, dense woodland, and abundant wildlife, detailing 235 million years of geological history before emerging into the historic fossil-hunting town of Lyme Regis with its iconic Cobb harbour.

Leaving Seaton's seafront, the path crosses Britain's oldest concrete bridge over the River Axe, then climbs through Devon lanes to Haven Cliff's panoramic views before entering the remarkable Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs National Nature Reserve, a unique wilderness shaped by landslips. Emerging into Lyme Regis, the route is diverted inland, crossing Lyme Regis Golf Course before a steep descent into Charmouth, famed for its fossil-rich Jurassic coastline. From Charmouth, a steep climb up Stonebarrow Hill leads to the highest point on England's south coast, Golden Cap, rewarding with vast views. Descending to Seatown, the challenging terrain continues over Thorncombe Beacon before reaching Eype Mouth and then West Bay, Bridport's harbour. The route then ascends East Cliff and Burton Cliff, reaching Hive Beach with its award-winning cafe. Continuing along Cogden Beach and the famous 18-mile Chesil Beach, a remarkable shingle barrier, the path heads inland to historic Abbotsbury, home to its Swannery, before traversing rolling countryside and skirting Langton Herring. The path follows the edge of The Fleet lagoon, passing the ruins of East Fleet's Holy Trinity Church and MOD training areas, before finally reaching the urban outskirts of Weymouth, with its numerous amenities.

From the bustling harbour of Weymouth, the trail initially follows the esplanade before ascending through a mix of urban and cliff-top terrain, traversing geologically unstable chalk downlands with increasingly dramatic coastal scenery and demanding ascents between Weymouth Bay and Osmington Mills, where the historic Smugglers Inn offers refreshment. The path continues eastward, offering sweeping panoramas and challenging climbs and descents as it passes through unstable areas near Ringstead Bay before reaching the prominent White Nothe headland and an exhilarating series of climbs and descents over towering chalk cliffs, past Bat's Head and sea stacks, over Swyre Head, the highest vertical chalk cliff in Dorset, towards the iconic Durdle Door. The final approach to Lulworth Cove, a magnificent horseshoe bay famous for its Jurassic formations and offering refreshments at the Heritage Centre and village pub, takes walkers past the Bronze Age bell barrow atop Hambury Tout.

From West Lulworth, the path enters the Lulworth Military Range, a section that requires careful checking of access restrictions before proceeding, eventually traversing dramatic cliff edges above Mupe Bay and passing the remarkable Fossil Forest. Beyond Arish Mell and Worbarrow Bay, the route emerges from the military area, passing an oil well and cottages before descending towards Kimmeridge Bay, where refreshments are available and the Clavell Tower stands nearby. Continuing eastwards, the path undulates along the cliff edge, passing disused quarries and the distinctive Dancing Ledge, before reaching Durlston Country Park with its castle and Great Globe. Descending towards Swanage, the path then climbs to Ballard Point and Old Harry Rocks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site landmark. Approaching Studland, facilities include the Bankes Arms pub and Joe's Cafe, before the final flat, sandy stretch along Shell Bay’s beach, concluding at South Haven Point with its iconic Coast Path monument and red telephone box, marking the completion of this spectacular Jurassic Coast journey before a ferry connection to Sandbanks and onward travel.