England · Dorset · South West England
Walks from Swanage, Dorset
📍 South West England
Limestone and chalk coastal cliffs, downland ridge, valley paths
22 routes available
Easy to Moderate
Free to access
Limestone and chalk coastal cliffs, downland ridge, valley paths
22 routes available
Easy to Moderate
Free to access
🥾22 RoutesAvailable
⛰Easy to ModerateDifficulty
📅April–OctoberBest Months
🚗SwanageStart Point
Swanage is a classic English seaside town on the Isle of Purbeck. The walking in every direction is outstanding — Old Harry Rocks, Dancing Ledge and Durlston lie within a mile or two, and the ridge to Corfe Castle is one of the finest day walks in Dorset.
A pleasant resort with a steam railway connection to Wareham, Swanage makes an excellent Purbeck walking base. The Coast Path from Old Harry Rocks to Kimmeridge is outstanding.
All Routes
22 Walks from Swanage
Sorted by popularity
6.9 mile circular walking route starting from Swanage via Ballard Point and Old Harry Rock in Dorset. Distance: 6.9 milesTime:
Distance: 6.90 miles
Starting Point: Swanage.
Ending Point: Swanage.
Terrain Type: coastal clifftop, chalk downland, heathland, Dorset AONB
Elevation: Ballard Down 160m, Studland Hill 132m, Godlingston Hill 198m; 853 Feet total gain
OS Map: OS Explorer
Walking Time: 3 hours
Interactive Map:
4.7 mile circular walking route starting from Swanage via Peveril Point, Durlston Head and Anvil Point, Old Harry Rock in
Distance: 4.73 miles
Starting Point: Swanage.
Ending Point: Swanage.
Terrain Type: coastal clifftop paths, Durlston National Nature Reserve, Dorset AONB
Elevation: 728 Feet
OS Map: OS Explorer
Walking Time: 2 hours
Interactive Map:
5.3 mile circular walking route starting from Swanage via Peveril Point, Durlston Head and Anvil Point, Old Harry Rock in
Distance: 5.35 miles
Starting Point: Swanage.
Ending Point: Swanage.
Terrain Type: coastal clifftop paths, Durlston National Nature Reserve, Dorset AONB
Elevation: 688 Feet
OS Map: OS Explorer
Walking Time: 2 hours
Interactive Map:
Distance: 13.2 Miles Time: 6 hours 45 minutes Elevation: 974 Feet Terrain: Off-Road Start Point: Swanage End Point: Swanage A hilly A
Distance: 13.2 miles
Starting Point: Swanage
Terrain Type: Off-Road
Elevation: 974 Feet
OS Map: OS Explorer
Walking Time: 6 hours 45 minutes
Interactive Map:
Distance: 19.1 Miles Time: 10 hours 40 minutes Elevation: 581 Feet Terrain: Off-Road Start Point: Swanage End Point: Swanage A hilly A
Distance: 19.1 miles
Starting Point: Swanage
Terrain Type: Off-Road
Elevation: 581 Feet
OS Map: OS Explorer
Walking Time: 10 hours 40 minutes
Interactive Map:
Distance: 5.4 Miles Time: 2 hours 44 minutes Elevation: 62 Feet Terrain: Off-Road Start Point: Swanage End Point: Swanage A hilly circular walking route,
Distance: 5.4 miles
Starting Point: Swanage
Ending Point: Swanage
Terrain Type: Off-Road
Elevation: 62 Feet
OS Map: OS Explorer
Walking Time: 2 hours 44 minutes
Interactive Map:
Distance: 5.1 Miles Time: 2 hours 37 minutes Elevation: 46 Feet Terrain: Off-Road Start Point: Swanage End Point: Swanage A hilly circular walking route,
Distance: 5.1 miles
Starting Point: Swanage
Ending Point: Swanage
Terrain Type: Off-Road
Elevation: 46 Feet
OS Map: OS Explorer
Walking Time: 2 hours 37 minutes
Interactive Map:
Distance: 6.1 Miles Time: 2 hours 56 minutes Elevation: 584 Feet Terrain: Off-Road Start Point: Swanage End Point: Swanage A hilly circular walking route,
Distance: 6.1 miles
Starting Point: Swanage
Terrain Type: Off-Road
Elevation: 584 Feet
OS Map: OS Explorer
Walking Time: 2 hours 56 minutes
Interactive Map:
Distance: 5.6 Miles Time: 2 hours 52 minutes Elevation: 1759 Feet Terrain: Off-Road Start Point: Swanage End Point: Swanage A hilly A
Distance: 5.6 miles
Starting Point: Swanage
Terrain Type: Off-Road
Elevation: 1759 Feet
OS Map: OS Explorer
Walking Time: 2 hours 52 minutes
Interactive Map:
Distance: 7.3 Miles Time: 3 hours 37 minutes Elevation: 1158 Feet Terrain: Off-Road Start Point: Swanage End Point: Swanage A hilly A
Distance: 7.3 miles
Starting Point: Swanage
Terrain Type: Off-Road
Elevation: 1158 Feet
OS Map: OS Explorer
Walking Time: 3 hours 37 minutes
Interactive Map:
Distance: 18.4 Miles Time: 7 hours 51 minutes Elevation: 1709 Feet Terrain: Mixed Start Point: Swanage End Point: Swanage A moderately
Distance: 18.4 miles
Starting Point: Swanage
Terrain Type: Mixed
Elevation: 1709 Feet
OS Map: OS Explorer
Walking Time: 7 hours 51 minutes
Interactive Map:
Distance: 11.1 Miles Time: 4 hours 58 minutes Elevation: 591 Feet Terrain: Mixed Start Point: Swanage End Point: Swanage A moderately
Distance: 11.1 miles
Starting Point: Swanage
Terrain Type: Mixed
Elevation: 591 Feet
OS Map: OS Explorer
Walking Time: 4 hours 58 minutes
Interactive Map:
Distance: 25.9 Miles Time: 12 hours 55 minutes Elevation: 177 Feet Terrain: Mixed Start Point: Swanage End Point: Swanage A hilly A
Distance: 25.9 miles
Starting Point: Swanage
Terrain Type: Mixed
Elevation: 177 Feet
OS Map: OS Explorer
Walking Time: 12 hours 55 minutes
Interactive Map:
Distance: 7.8 Miles Time: 3 hours 50 minutes Elevation: 1644 Feet Terrain: Off-Road Start Point: Swanage End Point: Swanage A hilly circular walking route,
Distance: 7.8 miles
Starting Point: Swanage
Ending Point: Swanage
Terrain Type: Off-Road
Elevation: 1644 Feet
OS Map: OS Explorer
Walking Time: 3 hours 50 minutes
Interactive Map:
Distance: 7.5 Miles Time: 3 hours 21 minutes Elevation: 2835 Feet Terrain: Off-Road Start Point: Swanage End Point: Swanage A moderately
Distance: 7.5 miles
Starting Point: Swanage
Terrain Type: Off-Road
Elevation: 2835 Feet
OS Map: OS Explorer
Walking Time: 3 hours 21 minutes
Interactive Map:
Distance: 16.1 Miles Time: 8 hours 35 minutes Elevation: 4541 Feet Terrain: Off-Road Start Point: Swanage End Point: Swanage A hilly A
Distance: 16.1 miles
Starting Point: Swanage
Terrain Type: Off-Road
Elevation: 4541 Feet
OS Map: OS Explorer
Walking Time: 8 hours 35 minutes
Interactive Map:
Distance: 1.5 Miles Time: 38 minutes Elevation: 13 Feet Terrain: Road Start Point: Swanage End Point: Swanage 1.5 miles in
Distance: 1.5 miles
Starting Point: Swanage
Terrain Type: Road
Elevation: 13 Feet
OS Map: OS Explorer
Walking Time: 38 minutes
Interactive Map:
Distance: 12.6 Miles Time: 6 hours 05 minutes Elevation: 4088 Feet Terrain: Off-Road Start Point: Swanage End Point: Swanage A hilly circular walking route,
Distance: 12.6 miles
Starting Point: Swanage
Terrain Type: Off-Road
Elevation: 4088 Feet
OS Map: OS Explorer
Walking Time: 6 hours 05 minutes
Interactive Map:
Distance: 4.0 Miles Time: 1 hour 58 minutes Elevation: 607 Feet Terrain: Off-Road Start Point: Swanage End Point: Swanage Unwell
Distance: 4.0 miles
Starting Point: Swanage
Ending Point: Swanage
Terrain Type: Off-Road
Elevation: 607 Feet
OS Map: OS Explorer
Walking Time: 1 hour 58 minutes
Interactive Map:
Distance: 5.0 Miles Time: 2 hours 30 minutes Elevation: 184 Feet Terrain: Off-Road Start Point: Swanage End Point: Swanage A hilly A
Distance: 5.0 miles
Starting Point: Swanage
Terrain Type: Off-Road
Elevation: 184 Feet
OS Map: OS Explorer
Walking Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Interactive Map:
At a Glance
Walks available22 routes
DifficultyEasy to Moderate
Best monthsApril–October
TerrainLimestone and chalk coastal cliffs, downland ridge, valley paths
CountyDorset
Dogs welcome✓ Yes
Getting There
Town car parks. Arrive early in summer. Swanage Railway to Wareham (heritage line, then mainline)
Food & Drink
The Square & Compass (Worth Matravers), Purbeck House Hotel, Côte Rocks café
Notable Walks Nearby
- Old Harry Rocks & Ballard Down
- Dancing Ledge
- Durlston Country Park
- Purbeck ridge to Corfe Castle
- Worth Matravers
- Chapman’s Pool
🗺 OS Map Reference
Walking around Swanage is covered by OS OL15. Recommended for all routes in this area.
Long Distance Trails Nearby
- South West Coast Path



















