1.8km along the Coast and 2.3km total
A small part of section 66 of the South West Coastal Path guide
After yesterday’s sunshine, the morning was cold, grey and foggy but as we could see a glimpse of sun in Swanage, we hoped that it might clear to parked at Durdle Door carpark. This was surprisingly busy for a dark, cold Monday, though nothing compared with the summer.
There is an easy generally level path directly from the carpark, though it was not easy to see the signpost in the freezing fog. This leads to the equally large carpark at Lulworth Cove, both are managed by the Lulworth Estate who must make a fortune in the summer from them.
It was rather good to see Lulworth almost empty of the crowds that we have seen in the summer and we walked down to the Cove – rather mysterious as a paddle-boarder emerged from the mist, and very different from yesterday as it was high-tide and the beach almost deserted.
We were tempted to a hot-chocolate in the “Boat-House” before starting up the Coastal path – The start is interesting with views of Stair Hole, where the folded geology is very marked.
From here, back across the carpark and then up the paved path, which has been described as the busiest footpath in England – however today I think we only passed one lady making her way up the steep slope. Although there were glimpses of the sun the fog persisted and so there were no views of Durdle Door or the cliffs beyond, so we decided to return to our car and return home.
