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This circular walk from Ringstead takes in White Nothe, Bat’s Head and the iconic rock arch of Durdle Door.
Durdle Door is probably Dorset’s most famous (and most photographed) attraction, and for good reason. It’s a stunning spot; a towering rock archway above the sea, with crashing surf and a long shingle beach backed by white chalk cliffs.
Dozens of walking routes lead to Durdle Door. This 8-mile circular starts in Ringstead, cutting across the clifftop downs and rolling farmland to reach Durdle Door via a fantastic hilltop viewpoint most visitors never find. The return along the coast path offers rollercoaster ups and downs and several stunning beauty spots, including the smaller archway at Bat’s Head, the sea stack known as Butter Rock, and the vaguely nose-shaped headland of White Nothe.
NOTE: You can do this walk in either direction. This version takes the inland route out to Durdle Door and returns along the coast path, the most spectacular part of the walk. I recommend walking clockwise, as laid out below, but you can also do the route anti-clockwise, taking the coast path out to Durdle Door and returning inland; click here for the instructions.
Details and Map
Distance: 8 miles
Time: 4 to 5 hours (allow extra time to stop at Durdle Door)
Elevation Gain: 1,152 ft
Difficulty: Moderate-Hard
Accessibility: A few stiles, uneven paths, and several steep sections. The beaches at Durdle Door can only be reached via stairs.
Terrain: Gravel lanes, grass tracks and dirt paths.
Parking: National Trust Ringstead Bay Car Park (free for members) – click here for location. Please note this is the clifftop car park, not the beach-side Ringstead Bay Car Park, which significantly extends the walk.
TOP TIP: There’s an interactive map at the bottom of this page.
Ringstead to Durdle Door Walk
Starting Point: National Trust Ringstead Bay Car Park, DT2 8NQ (click here for the Google Maps location)
Step 1: Daggers Gate Road to Chaldon Down
At the far end of the car park, go over the stile and follow the gravel track downhill. After about 500 metres, the path curves right to slope down towards the sea: don’t follow it. Instead, head through the left-hand metal gate and follow the track towards an old thatched barn (see photo below).
This track is an old route known as Daggers Gate Road. Keep on the track as it leads past the barn and uphill into a field, soon passing through a gate and across another field.
Towards the top of the hill, the path bends right, then left just before a hedgerow. Look out for the stone marker signed Daggers Gate and W Lulworth. Keep on the Daggers Gate Road here. Enjoy stunning countryside views on your left as the track crosses this third field along the top of the ridge.
Step 2: Daggers Gate Road to Durdle Door
Eventually, the path reaches a fence at the far side of the field. Go through the right-hand gate ahead (ignore the farm gate on the left). A stone marker signals the coast path below and the Daggers Gate way ahead; again, keep on the Daggers Gate Road along the top of the field here. At the next fence, go through the gate and keep on in the same direction with splendid coastal views ahead. Shortly after passing another stone marker on the left (signed for East Chaldon), you’ll pass through another gate to cross another field.
After the next gate, the path forks (see photo below). Take the right-hand path which curves around the back of the clifftop valley known as Scratchy Bottom. Near the top of this valley, the path meets another path coming from the right; take this right-hand, lower path to curve around the top of Scratchy Bottom and head down towards the holiday park ahead.
Just before you reach the next fence, the path curves right and downhill, while a gate ahead leads towards the holiday park. Ignore the gate and head downhill to cross over the track, then take the small metal gate leading into the woods. The path meanders through a small copse, then comes out onto a gravel track; turn right here and go through the metal gate.
Follow the path as it curves left and follows the fence over the hill, passing a stile on the right before reaching a wooden gate at an intersection with a narrow gravel path. Pause here to enjoy one of the best views of Durdle Door and Man O War Bay below you.
Step 3: Durdle Door
You have two options here: a slightly longer route via the facilities, or a shorter, steeper descent straight to Durdle Door.
Facilities Route: Turn left along the gravel path to reach the car park. Here, you’ll find public toilets (free), a coffee shop, and other facilities. From here, follow the Coast Path down to Durdle Door. This route is longer overall, but slightly less steep. See photo below:
Direct Route: Alternatively, go through the gate on the right and follow the path downhill along the fence. A metal gate at the bottom leads out onto the coast path, where you can turn left to reach the stairs down to Durdle Door.
Steps lead down to Durdle Door beach for a close-up view of the arch. Another staircase leads down to Man O’ War Bay on the left. If it’s sunny enough for a swim, Man O’ War Bay is more sheltered and generally less busy.
Step 4: Durdle Door to Bats Head
Once you’re finished on the beaches, return to the coast path via the steps and turn left to follow it along the back of Durdle Door beach. The coastal route back to Ringstead is fairly easy to follow, as there’s only one path. Simply keep the sea on your left and follow the South West Coast Path (look out for the acorn waymarkers).
You’ll soon reach the first of three very steep ascents: Swyre Head, which forms the western edge of Scratchy Bottom valley. The path nearest the fence is slightly easier. Pause at the top for a final full view of Durdle Door behind you. Ahead is the white chalk cliff of Bats Head, where another, smaller arch has formed.
After a steep descent from Swyre Head, you’ll pass Butter Rock, a chalk sea stack in the bay. Some say the unusual name comes from the yellow tone of the white chalk in the late afternoon sunlight.
The second summit, Bats Head, is slightly lower, and the path levels out after an initial gruelling climb, so it’s somewhat easier than Swyre Head. As you descend the other side, a fantastic view of the nose-shaped White Nothe headland opens up ahead.
Step 5: White Nothe to Ringstead
A third climb, the highest of the three, leads up to a stone obelisk built in the early 1900s to aid ship navigation. Following the path along the clifftop, you’ll spot a row of former coastguard cottages ahead (see photo below).
In front of the cottages, a narrow path to the left leads off to a WWII pillbox at the top of White Nothe with splendid views across Ringstead to Weymouth. Following this path right around to the left leads to a hidden bench with gorgeous views of the path you’ve just walked from Durdle Door.
Once you’re done exploring White Nothe, rejoin the Coast Path. After the last cottage, a wooden signpost marks the coast path alongside an “at your own risk” sign for the Undercliff. The path here is narrow and close to the cliff edge in places, but it’s a commonly walked route and has stunning views. Use caution, especially in wet conditions, and follow any warning signs or diversions.
NOTE: If you prefer to avoid the Undercliff, take the path on the right after the last house, which meets up with the inland Daggers Gate Road from Step 1.
After meandering along the Undercliff, you’ll pass through a wooden kissing gate. The path forks here: take the track on the right to cut diagonally across the field towards a farmhouse (see photo above). The thatched barn from Step 1 will be on your right, and the car park is visible on the hill above. Go through the wooden gate and head back up the track to the car park.
GPS Route
More Walks Nearby
Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door Walk
Weymouth to the Smugglers Inn, Osmington Mills
Ringstead, White Nothe and Durdle Door Walk (Coast Path Route)
