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
About
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.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingWhat is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
17 within 3 miles
Attractions
32 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
146 reviews
Excellent
100
Very good
34
Average
7
Poor
2
Terrible
3
witteringmjs
19 contributions
Feb 2023 • Family
Fossil expert Adam, a ranger from the Lulworth Cove Visitor Centre took us on a 2 hr guided fossil walk. We began in the fascinating little museum at the visitor centre where Adam showed us some local finds and talked about the geology of the area and what we might find on our walk. We were a family group of 15 aged between 1 & 72. Adam was very knowledgeable, interesting and engaging. He was also very patient with the little ones! We all found loads of fossils. Thanks Adam!
Written February 28, 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.
Jason Q
Leamington Spa, UK217 contributions
Sep 2020 • Solo
I walked from Weymouth to lulworth cove and back.It took me ten hours and obviously had a couple of short breaks.The views I came across were simply stunning and took me by suppose some of the best I have seen in the world and I am well traveled I had no idea.I would of been in South America but for covid ,so I came across this jewel of a walk.Good footwear essential as there are some steep climbs towards duffle door and lulworth cove.The walk heads inlands at times because of landslides.At one point in Osmington the path takes you through a pub called the smugglers cove imagine!I could not recommend this walk highly enough.
Written September 2, 2020
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.
2017Ravs4
Crickhowell, UK147 contributions
Apr 2021
Wonderful walk, paths are much better than to Durdle door and so much quieter. It’s about a 4 mile round walk from Lulworth to Mupe cove. Some fantastic views. We didn’t go down to the Mupe beach due to they were concerned about some rocks falling. We stopped at the fossil forest on the way back to Lulworth Cove. It was very interesting to see. We thought it was a nicer walk than to Durdle Door. We then had ice cream when we got back to Lulworth cove.
Written April 26, 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.
David P
1 contribution
Feb 2025 • Couples
Visit spoilt by excessive parking charge. No on-street parking. Whilst its nice to read that parking revenues are used to maintain the estate, £12.40 for 2 hours might be killing the goose that is laying the golden egg.
Written February 25, 2025
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.
Malcolm M
Northumberland96 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, UK246 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 Kingdom23 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, France87 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.
Scarlette
8 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.
Barry H
Essex, UK201 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.
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
Written October 30, 2018
Hi, Pamela. What would you like to know about this attraction?
Written February 21, 2017
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.
Written February 24, 2017
Showing results 1-2 of 2
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing