Swanage Beach – Old Harry Rocks loop from Ballard Down

Hiking trails & Routes

Swanage Beach – Old Harry Rocks loop from Ballard Down

Hard

4.8

(43)

476

hikers

Swanage Beach – Old Harry Rocks loop from Ballard Down

05:19

19.6km

250m

Hiking

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily walkable paths. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: October 27, 2026

Tips

Includes a short out-and-back section

Your route doubles back at a waypoint. If this isn’t intentional, adjust the waypoint’s position.

After 7.00 km for 9 m

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

3.54 km

Swanage Beach

Highlight (Segment) • Beach

Swanage beach stretches along the town's entire seafront and is mostly sandy with some pebble sections. There's plenty to do here, and the beach has lifeguards at the swimming section …

Tip by

6.27 km

View of Swanage Bay from Ballard Down

Highlight • Trail

Great views of Swanage from the top of the cliff looking southwest. Can get windy but it's also a good rest spot, especially after the climb from the beach.

Tip by

6.69 km

View of Swanage Bay from Ballard Cliff

Highlight • Natural Monument

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 …

Tip by

6.99 km

View of Swanage Bay

Highlight • Viewpoint

The town, originally a small port and fishing village, flourished in the Victorian era, when it first became a significant quarrying port and later a seaside resort for the rich …

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8.77 km

Old Harry Rocks

Highlight • Natural Monument

Studland Bay is dominated by one of the south coast's most famous landmarks - Old Harry. It is part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and is managed by the National Trust.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

9.98 km

Coast Path Near Studland Cliffs

Highlight • Trail

A lovely easy section of the coastal path. steady, but continuous incline to the top of Swanage from Studland.

Tip by

11.1 km

View of Old Harry Rocks from Studland Bay

Highlight • Viewpoint

Wide area of sandy beaches and moorland.

A magnificent stretch of natural coastline in Purbeck with four miles of golden sand with gently sloping bathing waters and views of Old Harry Rocks and the Isle of Wight.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

15.5 km

Shell Bay Beach

Highlight • Beach

Dogs permitted off lead on beach and dunes between 1st October and 31st March. Must be on lead between April and September.

Tip by

16.9 km

Studland Naturist Beach

Beach

19.6 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

10.1 km

5.87 km

2.00 km

1.47 km

193 m

Surfaces

12.8 km

2.35 km

2.00 km

1.51 km

588 m

410 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (130 m)

Lowest point (0 m)

Weather

Today

Wednesday 28 October

16°C

9°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Expect light wind and shifting conditions.

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

April 27, 2024,South West Coast Path: Von Swanage nach Poole

A beautiful final stage on the SWCP! From Swanage Bay it is a leisurely walk up to the Old Harry Rocks, two chalk pillars on the Isle of Purbeck peninsula. They are the last foothills of the Jurassic Coast.

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May 7, 2024,SWCP Swanage - South Haven Point

🎼 and now the end is near... the song was going through my head today on the last leg to South Haven Point. The weather was at its best again. One last tough climb to the Old Harry Rocks and then it was over the long sandy beach to South Haven Point. There is the end marker for the SWCP.

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