South West Coast Path- Lulworth Cove & The Fossil Forest Walk
South West Coast Path- Lulworth Cove & The Fossil Forest Walk
South West Coast Path- Lulworth Cove & The Fossil Forest Walk
4.5
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A 2 mile walk along part of the South West Coast Path from Lulworth Cove to the nearby fossilised forest – highlights of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
145 reviews
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100
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34
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7
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Terrible
3
Malcolm M
Northumberland102 contributions
Jun 2021
The Fossil Forest is easily reached following the coastal path East from Lulworth Cove - but check the Army are not using the nearby range first, or you won't be able to get to it! The forest is accessed via a series of steep steps, but you are rewarded with a great view across the coast as you descend. A noticeboard explains how they were formed. Along the coast are a series of rock exposures with plenty to look for, though you are still some distance (vertically) from the sea. The giant stromatolites are easy enough to find and are fun to photograph.
Written June 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EDCtravel
Richmond-upon-Thames, UK264 contributions
Feb 2019 • Friends
It is steep getting up and if you go on you get more of the same. But to be fair the are some great views some of the best in the UK. Definitely recommend a visit.
Written February 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adrian150
Kendal, United Kingdom25 contributions
Aug 2013 • Family
The herd head over to Durdle Door, which is well worth a visit.
But if you head over the down from West Lulworth through the ranges to Mupe Bay, you won't regret it. We passed possibly 5 other groups of a few people, where the Durdle door path was a steady stream
You can approach the ranges walk from the cove, but its a LOT of steps. Instead, start at West Lulworth church and take the little lane opposite the road down from the church past the shop. A gate to the right leads up onto the down. Then follow an fairly obvious track to your diagonal left. It climbs steeply and in places goes very narrow through the Gorse. But eventually brings you to the top of the down, just at the gateway through onto the Ranges path.
The path through the ranges is open most days during school holidays - check at the information centre in Lulworth if outside the school holidays. There are dire warnings to stick to the path and NOT touch anything through the ranges, or you MAY DIE. Possibly over-egging. The views back over Lulworth cove are stunning, as are the views down the Jurassic cost past Mupe Bay.
If you're feeling VERY energetic, there's a huge flight of steps following the cliff up around Mupe Bay. Too much for us on a very hot day with a small child.
We then followed the coastal path back towards Lulworth and past the fossilised forest. A truly weird creation of nature. Its a shame the informative plaque has almost worn away to the point of being unreadable.
But if you head over the down from West Lulworth through the ranges to Mupe Bay, you won't regret it. We passed possibly 5 other groups of a few people, where the Durdle door path was a steady stream
You can approach the ranges walk from the cove, but its a LOT of steps. Instead, start at West Lulworth church and take the little lane opposite the road down from the church past the shop. A gate to the right leads up onto the down. Then follow an fairly obvious track to your diagonal left. It climbs steeply and in places goes very narrow through the Gorse. But eventually brings you to the top of the down, just at the gateway through onto the Ranges path.
The path through the ranges is open most days during school holidays - check at the information centre in Lulworth if outside the school holidays. There are dire warnings to stick to the path and NOT touch anything through the ranges, or you MAY DIE. Possibly over-egging. The views back over Lulworth cove are stunning, as are the views down the Jurassic cost past Mupe Bay.
If you're feeling VERY energetic, there's a huge flight of steps following the cliff up around Mupe Bay. Too much for us on a very hot day with a small child.
We then followed the coastal path back towards Lulworth and past the fossilised forest. A truly weird creation of nature. Its a shame the informative plaque has almost worn away to the point of being unreadable.
Written August 20, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
foivos_spathopoulos
Mougins, France89 contributions
Oct 2012 • Business
Every year I take my geology students to see the Fossil Forest. It is a spectacular remnant of the past, to be seen together with the "Broken Beds". An easy walk from Lulworth Cove, but be careful of the Tank Range times.
Written January 24, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barry H
Essex, UK235 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
When staying in Lulworth for a few days, we always do a couple of long walks, firstly to see the stunning views from the cliffs, and secondly to build up an appetite for dinner each evening !
Our first day we walked the coastal path from West Lulworth, over Hambury Tout, via Durdle Dor, Swyre Head, Bats Head, Scratchy Bottom, White Nothe, etc all the way to Osmington Mills (approx 8 Miles) where we lunched at the Smuggler Inn then caught the bus back to Lulworth Cove. It was a tough but very enjoyable walk with lovely views wherever you looked, and the good weather helped. If you’re relatively fit you should be able to complete this walk even though there are some steep climbs at the start of the trek.
However, our second day we went east across the ranges towards Swanage, through Fossil Forest, along the cliffs all the way to Kimmeridge, some 7 miles away. Whilst not as long a walk there are some really hardcore climbs on this stretch and should only be attempted by the fit walkers amongst you ! Not only are the uphill climbs ‘lung busters’ but the downhill bits play havoc with any weak knees. As consolation, when you reach Kimmeridge (a beautiful little village) look out for Clavells where a lovely lunch and few drinks will reward your efforts.
Again this walk has stunning views not to be missed. Not quite so tough a route to the same destination can be taken along the top of the ridge.
We loved these walks and plan to do them again next May. Be careful because the ranges are only open at certain times during the year so check before you set out.
All the walks are very clearly marked and signposted but always worth taking a local, or even better, an ordnance survey map with you just in case.
Hardcore hiking but worth the effort !
Our first day we walked the coastal path from West Lulworth, over Hambury Tout, via Durdle Dor, Swyre Head, Bats Head, Scratchy Bottom, White Nothe, etc all the way to Osmington Mills (approx 8 Miles) where we lunched at the Smuggler Inn then caught the bus back to Lulworth Cove. It was a tough but very enjoyable walk with lovely views wherever you looked, and the good weather helped. If you’re relatively fit you should be able to complete this walk even though there are some steep climbs at the start of the trek.
However, our second day we went east across the ranges towards Swanage, through Fossil Forest, along the cliffs all the way to Kimmeridge, some 7 miles away. Whilst not as long a walk there are some really hardcore climbs on this stretch and should only be attempted by the fit walkers amongst you ! Not only are the uphill climbs ‘lung busters’ but the downhill bits play havoc with any weak knees. As consolation, when you reach Kimmeridge (a beautiful little village) look out for Clavells where a lovely lunch and few drinks will reward your efforts.
Again this walk has stunning views not to be missed. Not quite so tough a route to the same destination can be taken along the top of the ridge.
We loved these walks and plan to do them again next May. Be careful because the ranges are only open at certain times during the year so check before you set out.
All the walks are very clearly marked and signposted but always worth taking a local, or even better, an ordnance survey map with you just in case.
Hardcore hiking but worth the effort !
Written August 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah P
London, UK3 contributions
Mar 2015 • Friends
I don't think the walk labelled here is quite the one we did, but I don't have an option to choose another walk...
We walked from Lulworth Cove, through the Lulworth Ranges, to Tyneham village. It's roughly 5.3 miles long but took us about 3 hours because we stopped to take quite a few photos + there were quite a few epic hills. But wow was it was worth it. The views were spectacular. And after each big hill we felt really proud of ourselves. Still can't believe we did it. Highly recommend!!!
P.s. We weren't all super fit. I don't really exercise at all, so found it tough but got through it and enjoyed the walk :)
Though definitely not a walk for people scared of heights. There are no rails or safety barricades and you're walking very close to steep drops to cliffs.
We walked from Lulworth Cove, through the Lulworth Ranges, to Tyneham village. It's roughly 5.3 miles long but took us about 3 hours because we stopped to take quite a few photos + there were quite a few epic hills. But wow was it was worth it. The views were spectacular. And after each big hill we felt really proud of ourselves. Still can't believe we did it. Highly recommend!!!
P.s. We weren't all super fit. I don't really exercise at all, so found it tough but got through it and enjoyed the walk :)
Though definitely not a walk for people scared of heights. There are no rails or safety barricades and you're walking very close to steep drops to cliffs.
Written March 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rog D
Heraklion44 contributions
Sep 2013 • Business
............for several thousands of years, and left to people , far wiser than me , will continue do so, for many more millennia, making our 3xscore years plus 10 , pale into insignificance!
Written August 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
johnny C
Brentwood, UK45 contributions
Jun 2013 • Couples
beautiful views of lulworth cove and the coast line . the forest walk is steep and you need to be fitter than I am as it looks a long way up but it is worth it. also the military have their land and that in itself is quite exciting.But at weekends they are not firng their guns!!!!
Written July 2, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil B
Huntingdon, UK33 contributions
Mar 2013 • Couples
A lot of land slip has occurred, some of the coastal path is closed it makes walking any distance awkward
Written March 14, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scarlette
6 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
There are steepe sections when you come here that need careful walk. Parking your car cost is also steepe.
Written November 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi
I have read your review about South West Coast Path- Lulworth Cove & The Fossil Forest Walk .
Would you tell me where you stayed ?
Thank you very much !
Philia
needsomeupdates
Beamsville, Canada5 contributions
Hi, Pamela. What would you like to know about this attraction?
atlanticophelia
Copenhagen367 contributions
The walk from West Lulworth to Osmington Mills cover a lot of experiences of the jurassic coast. But Weymouth is a little far away to get great views.
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Claim your listingSouth West Coast Path- Lulworth Cove & The Fossil Forest Walk - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about South West Coast Path- Lulworth Cove & The Fossil Forest Walk
- Hotels near South West Coast Path- Lulworth Cove & The Fossil Forest Walk:
- (0.01 mi) Weston at Lulworth Cove - Luxury Self-Catering - Coastal Views - Sleeps 6
- (0.02 mi) Cove House Bed and Breakfast
- (0.02 mi) Lulworth House B&B
- (0.03 mi) Centrally located within the ever popular village of West Lulworth, and within
- (0.03 mi) Varykino
- Restaurants near South West Coast Path- Lulworth Cove & The Fossil Forest Walk:
- (0.00 mi) Pebbles Restaurant
- (0.07 mi) Limestone
- (0.07 mi) Dolls House
- (0.17 mi) The Saltwater Grill
- (0.26 mi) The Castle Inn
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