Ballard Cliff is part of the Jurassic Coast near Swanage in the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset. The steeply dipping Cretaceous chalk that marks the northern end of Swanage Bay takes over from the Wealden beds at this location. A series of landslides during the late 1990s and early 2000s created a prominent white 'zig-zag' in the scarp. A rotational slip in the Chalk, Upper Greensand and Gault has developed, exposing a section of the soft, blue-grey Gault clay at the base of the cliff.

Outdoormichel 🚴🏻‍♂️🥾🏃‍♂️

July 28, 2024

Hiking

The path has a lot of bumps. You can walk it, but you have to be careful where you step. Hiking poles and good shoes are recommended.

Translated by

•

Luke

February 28, 2025

Hiking

My name sake 🤣 Ballard down views are amazing. Muddy in winter and steep in places but worth it for the coastal views.

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Routes here

Best routes to View of Swanage Bay from Ballard Cliff

4.9

(34)

393

hikers

1. View of Swanage Bay – Old Harry Rocks loop from Swanage

20.5km

05:31

240m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Hard

4.9

(34)

347

hikers

2. Swanage Beach – Old Harry Rocks loop from Swanage

10.5km

02:57

200m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

4.8

(5)

hikers

3. Old Harry Rocks – Agglestone Rock loop from Studland

14.5km

04:00

250m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

Details

Informations

Elevation 100 m

Weather

Today

Saturday 7 March

10°C

7°C

20 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 11.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See routes here

Take Me There

Location: Studland, Purbeck, Dorset, South West England, England, United Kingdom

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Swanage Beach

Ballard Down Trig Point

View of Tilly Whim Caves

St Nicholas' Church, Studland

Rocky Shoreline on the South West Coast Path

Studland Bay Beach

View of Swanage from Studland Hill and Ballard Down

Ballard Down Obelisk

Studland Beach

Swanage Seafront

Old Harry Rocks

Franks Tank Descent

View of Swanage Bay from Ballard Cliff

1. View of Swanage Bay – Old Harry Rocks loop from Swanage

2. Swanage Beach – Old Harry Rocks loop from Swanage

3. Old Harry Rocks – Agglestone Rock loop from Studland

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Sign up or log in to keep exploring this route

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️