Ringstead loop — National Trust walks in North and West Dorset

This 4.4-mile (7 km) walk takes you on a beautiful ramble about the ancient landscape above Ringstead Bay. You’ll start at the National Trust’s Ringstead car park and stay high, exploring the cliffs so you can enjoy the soaring views across Lyme Bay and along the Jurassic Coast.

1) Walk south east through the car park and head through the gate/across the stile and continue for 500 meters down the track.
2) When the track levels, walk through the metal gate (TIP: NOT the kissing gate). There’s a stone sign by the metal gate directing you to W. Lulworth.
3) Stay on this path for around 20-30 minutes, keeping the fence on your left – you’ll pass through a metal gate but keep heading straight until you reach a second metal gate.
4) Head through the second metal gate and immediately take a sharp right, keeping the fence to your right.
5) At the end of this path, go through a kissing gate and turn right along the coastal path. You’ll now be walking towards Weymouth.
6) The buildings ahead of you are the old coastguard cottages. As you reach them, take a left turn towards the sea. This takes you to a stunning view point. You’ll pass a WW2 Pill Box on your right, where you turn left along the coast path until you reach a perfectly positioned stone bench. Enjoy the views, take a break, then head back to the coastguard cottages.
7) Turn left at the cottages staying on the Coast Path. Stay on this footpath for approx 1 km, watch your footing as the path can get close to the edge.
8) Eventually you’ll go through a wooden kissing gate and head straight down the hill.
9) A series of steps will take you down to a wooden kissing gate (they can be slippy when wet). At the kissing gate, walk straight ahead then turn left (TIP: Don't take your immediate left as this is a private drive).
You’ll walk behind a small white house before seeing St Catherine’s church on your left.
TIP: If you venture to the rear of the church you will find a number of benches and the most stunning views.
10) Continue on down the path keeping the church to your left. As you head down, you’ll gain views towards Weymouth. Cross two footbridges then pass through a kissing gate.
11) Soon, take a right turn off the path which takes you up through the fields. The radar station will be on your right.
12) Head up the path towards the farm and the car park .
13) Just before the farmhouse the path splits, take a slight right, heading up the hill.
14) At the top of the path you’ll reach the National Trust car park.