RoutesHiking trails & RoutesUnited KingdomEnglandSouth West EnglandDorsetWeymouth And PortlandPortland
View of Church Ope Cove – Historic Loading Crane loop from Isle of Portland
RoutesHiking trails & RoutesUnited KingdomEnglandSouth West EnglandDorsetWeymouth And PortlandPortland
View of Church Ope Cove – Historic Loading Crane loop from Isle of Portland
Moderate
25
hikers
View of Church Ope Cove – Historic Loading Crane loop from Isle of Portland
02:43
9.93km
150m
Hiking
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: June 27, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through protected areas
Please check local regulations for:
Jurassic Coast
Waypoints
A
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
1
2.01 km
Rufus Castle
Highlight • Other
Rufus Castle was reportedly built for William II, although the structure seen standing in ruins today is not of that date. In 1142, Robert, Earl of Gloucester, had captured the castle from King Stephen on behalf of Empress Maud. It had additional fortifications added in 1238 by Richard de Clare who owned it at that time. Around 1256, Aylmer de Lusignan obtained a licence to crenellate the 'insulam de Portand' and Robert, Earl of Gloucester, was granted a similar licence just 14 months later. It is generally presumed that Rufus castle is the site of any work that may have resulted from these licences and any remains that may date from the period exist only at foundation level, or have been lost to cliff erosion.
There is no public access to the Castle as it is privately owned by Gerry Hinde who was born and raised in Portland.
There is no public access to the Castle as it is privately owned by Gerry Hinde who was born and raised in Portland.
Tip by
2
2.15 km
Pirates' Graveyard – Resting Place of the Sea Ghost Crew
Highlight • Monument
The final resting place of the Infamous Pirate Captain John 'THE FLAYER' Humperding and his crew of the Pirate ship SEA GHOST. Cornered in the Ope Cove by Commander James Dodsworth and his Naval crew onboard HMS Widowmaker. After a 3 year pursuit it ended here in a battle to the last man standing in the year 1734.
The Graves and their occupants:
Bellamy Smythe III.
A lord by birth who turned his back on his wealth and family. He bought his way on to the crew by stealing his families heirlooms, and gifting them to Capt John. Starting the chain of events that would bring the death to all the Crew of Sea Ghost.
Gerard THE COWARD Marlowe.
Never won a fight fairly in his life, never earned an honest penny, never told the truth. A despicable cretinous wretch of man, was often loathed by his crewmates. He stole the teeth from his dead mothers body to sell for ale. Not a nice person at all.
The Graves and their occupants:
Bellamy Smythe III.
A lord by birth who turned his back on his wealth and family. He bought his way on to the crew by stealing his families heirlooms, and gifting them to Capt John. Starting the chain of events that would bring the death to all the Crew of Sea Ghost.
Gerard THE COWARD Marlowe.
Never won a fight fairly in his life, never earned an honest penny, never told the truth. A despicable cretinous wretch of man, was often loathed by his crewmates. He stole the teeth from his dead mothers body to sell for ale. Not a nice person at all.
Tip by
3
2.41 km
Church Ope Cove Beach Huts and Coastal Path
Highlight • Beach
A rewarding hike on a beautiful coast 👍
Translated by Google •
Tip by
4
2.73 km
View of Church Ope Cove
Highlight • Historical Site
To access the beach there are two paths. The main path follows the road past Portland Museum and leads under the arch bridge of Rufus Castle, then down concrete steps to the cove. These were laid out by the local council in 1906, at a time when the beach was becoming increasingly popular as a recreational area. The view point above the steps, looking down on the cove, is part of the coastal path. The other path runs through a small area of woodland around the outside of Pennsylvania Castle, and passes through the ruins of St Andrew's Church (close to John Penn's Bath), before linking up over midway down the concrete steps to the cove.
Tip by
5
3.77 km
Steven P. Woodward Memorial Bench
Highlight • Viewpoint
Memorial bench erected in memory of Steven P - offers a great view out to the sea.
Tip by
6
5.05 km
Cave Hole
Highlight • Viewpoint
Cave Hole is a large cave on the south east side of the Isle of Portland, a large peninsular in Dorset, England. It has a blowhole and a wooden crane, known as Broad Ope Crane on the cliff top. It is 1⁄2 mile (800 m) north-east of Portland Bill, has an interior measuring 50 feet (15 m) square and 21 feet (6.4 m) high.[1]
The Blow Hole of Cave Hole.
Cave Hole was earlier known as Keeve's Hole and regularly featured in recorded history and wider lore of smuggling. It is made up of a series of caves with steep roof sections, tunnels and ledges, and represents the first stage in cave collapse. The cave and its surrounding area is frequently used for deep-water soloing. The cave's blowhole, which stretches far into the solid rock, was formed when the roof of the cave was broken through to the surface. For the protection of people looking down into the cave, an iron grill has been installed across it. Whenever a powerful easterly gale occurs, the sea shoots up through the fissures.
Various small craft have been driven into the cave by east and south easterly gales, the largest of which was a 40-ton vessel from Cowes in 1780. Frank and Ann Davison were shipwrecked at the cave in 1949. The pair had set sail for the West Indies. Frank drowned but Ann managed to scramble ashore. A local tale has long reputed that the cave is home to Roy Dog - a black dog, "as high as man, with large fiery eyes, one green, one red". It is said that the creature emerges from the watery depths to seize any traveler passing by Cave Hole and drags them down into his dark watery domain.
The Blow Hole of Cave Hole.
Cave Hole was earlier known as Keeve's Hole and regularly featured in recorded history and wider lore of smuggling. It is made up of a series of caves with steep roof sections, tunnels and ledges, and represents the first stage in cave collapse. The cave and its surrounding area is frequently used for deep-water soloing. The cave's blowhole, which stretches far into the solid rock, was formed when the roof of the cave was broken through to the surface. For the protection of people looking down into the cave, an iron grill has been installed across it. Whenever a powerful easterly gale occurs, the sea shoots up through the fissures.
Various small craft have been driven into the cave by east and south easterly gales, the largest of which was a 40-ton vessel from Cowes in 1780. Frank and Ann Davison were shipwrecked at the cave in 1949. The pair had set sail for the West Indies. Frank drowned but Ann managed to scramble ashore. A local tale has long reputed that the cave is home to Roy Dog - a black dog, "as high as man, with large fiery eyes, one green, one red". It is said that the creature emerges from the watery depths to seize any traveler passing by Cave Hole and drags them down into his dark watery domain.
Tip by
7
5.42 km
Historic Loading Crane
Highlight • Monument
The most famous historic loading crane on the Isle of Portland is the Red Crane, located at the southernmost tip of the island near Portland Bill Lighthouse.
This crane is a well-known industrial relic that highlights Portland's long history with its famous Portland Stone.
Original Purpose (Stone Loading): The Red Crane is part of a disused stone-loading quay. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, this area was a working quarry. The original hand-operated wooden crane was used to hoist massive blocks of quarried Portland Stone from the cliff edge down to small sailing vessels waiting below for shipment off the island (often to London for famous buildings like St Paul's Cathedral).
Current Primary Use (Fishing): The original wooden crane was replaced with a more durable steel crane (which is still famously painted red, giving it its name). This modern steel crane remains in use today, not for stone, but to help local fishermen lower and raise their small crab and lobster boats from the water.
This crane is a well-known industrial relic that highlights Portland's long history with its famous Portland Stone.
Original Purpose (Stone Loading): The Red Crane is part of a disused stone-loading quay. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, this area was a working quarry. The original hand-operated wooden crane was used to hoist massive blocks of quarried Portland Stone from the cliff edge down to small sailing vessels waiting below for shipment off the island (often to London for famous buildings like St Paul's Cathedral).
Current Primary Use (Fishing): The original wooden crane was replaced with a more durable steel crane (which is still famously painted red, giving it its name). This modern steel crane remains in use today, not for stone, but to help local fishermen lower and raise their small crab and lobster boats from the water.
Tip by
8
5.43 km
Red Crane, Portland Bill
Highlight • Monument
Great piece of equipment to stumble across. All these remnants from time gone by really add to the character of the area.
Tip by
B
9.93 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
5.75 km
1.44 km
1.42 km
792 m
536 m
Surfaces
6.54 km
1.42 km
1.12 km
366 m
264 m
221 m
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Elevation
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Weather
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Monday 13 July
25°C
17°C
0 %
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Max wind speed: 20.0 km/h
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