Portland Walks

One of the most dramatic coastlines of England can be found on Portland.

There is an extensive network of footpaths on the island making it easy to explore this unique geological and biological site of special interest. These give superb access to places of amazing contrast.

Visitors can see relics from Roman and Saxon occupation to as far back as the Stone Age. From Portland’s castles to rugged stone cottages, the Verne Citadel, gun batteries and the lovely lighthouses at the Bill, the island offers some very special and spectacular sights.

Starting off from Castletown (The Aqual/Cafe) or Chesil Beach (The Climbing Shop) an “around the island walk” begins at the North of Portland and takes the visitor to the southern tip where three lighthouses look onto the English Channel.

The coastline in this region, part of the Dorset Heritage Coast, changes dramatically, from the fossil encrusted cliffs of Lyme Regis and Charmouth to the 570 ft Golden Cap and finally the spectacular Chesil Beach, the 18 mile pebble bank which joins the isle of Portland to the mainland.

Some of the most outstanding routes on Portland include the Verne to Lighthouse (East Coast) route, the West Cliff (Tout Quarry) to Portland Bill Lighthouse route, and the Chesil Beach walk.

For the sake of visitors, Portland also offers some very attractive Circular Walks and local maps to support these can be obtained on the island. Portland Circular Walk 1 concentrates on the southern tip of the Island including the lighthouses, Freshwater Bay, Cave Hole and Wallsend Cove. Circular Walk 2 slightly extends this route to include Southwell, Weston and Church Ope Cove. Walk 3 concentrates on the Central North part of the island encompassing Tar Rocks, part of Chesil Cove and the fanmous Grove with St. Andrew’s Church and Rufus Castle. Walk 4 is a full island walk north to South including the East and West cliffs.