Old Harry Rocks Walk, Jurassic Coast, Dorset, England

Come with us on a short but scenic circular walk around Old Harry Rocks, one of the most iconic features along the Jurassic Coast of England. 

If you’re after an easy walk with splendid views then you’ll enjoy this Old Harry Rocks circular walking trail. You’ll have the chance to walk along the beaches of the beautiful Studland Bay. You’ll see the different rock formations at Old Harry Rocks from all possible angles. In addition, you’ll be treated to a 360 degree view of both Studland Bay and Swanage Bay from Studland Hill.

If you’d like to see our Old Harry Rocks walk with some amazing drone footage then make sure to watch our YouTube video by clicking here. (This video will also contain our Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove walk.) You can also check out our Jurassic Coast series by clicking here.

All you need to know about the Jurassic Coast

The stunning Jurassic Coast stretches from Orcombe Point, Exmouth in East Devon all the way to Old Harry Rocks, Swanage in East Dorset. The 154 km (96 miles) long coast was the first totally natural World Heritage Site to be designated in the UK.

The Jurassic Coast has 185 million years of geological history with rock formations from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. As a result, the coastline is filled with some of the most amazing natural features. These include arches like Durdle Door, pinnacles and rock stacks like Old Harry Rocks, coves and limestone foldings like Lulworth Cove and Stair Hole and even a tide island called the Isle of Portland connected to the mainland only by a barrier beach.

Erosion is still taking place today, forming the landscape daily. The coast is being managed through a fine balance of protecting people but also allowing the natural process of erosion to continue to shape the landscape. This basically means that there are coastal defences put in place where houses are at higher risk, whilst no action is taken elsewhere. Here is a list of notable landslides that have altered the Jurassic Coast just in the past 20 years:

• A 400 m (1,300 ft) section of the coastline was reshaped after what is considered the worst landslide in 100 years in May 2008.
• In 2012 about 400 tonnes of rock fell onto the beach at Burton Bradstock causing a fatality.
• In 2016, another cliff fall happened at West Bay.
• After heavy rainfall further cliff collapse occurred at Hive Beach in Burton Bradstock in August 2020.
• The most recent collapse happened in April 2021 near Weymouth. This latest one was described as the biggest rockfall in the UK in 60 years.

You can actually walk the entire length of the Jurassic Coast via the South West Coast Path. The 1,014 km (630 miles) long path is considered England’s longest waymarked long-distance footpath running from Minehead in Somerset to Poole Harbour in Dorset. 

About Old Harry Rocks

Marking the eastern point of the Jurassic Coast, approximately 2.4 km (1.5 miles) to the east of Studland in Dorset is Old Harry Rocks. The iconic landscape is comprised of three chalk formations and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Did you know? Old Harry Rocks and the Needles on the Isle of Wight actually used to be connected by a long stretch of chalk. Due to hydraulic erosion, caves started to form, then the caves turned into arches. When the tops of the arches collapsed due to constant wind and rain, only these disconnected stacks remained.

One of these stacks was given the name Old Harry. Old Harry’s Wife used to stand next to Old Harry, but unfortunately due to constant corrosion and abrasion the stack’s bottom got too weak and collapsed. It’s now only the stump that you see next to Old Harry.

Old Harry Rocks Legends – As usual, there are some interesting stories about the name Old Harry. According to one legend, the Devil (known as ‘Old Harry’) slept on these rocks, so the name comes from the Devil. Another one suggests that Old Harry was named after an infamous pirate, Harry Paye, who used to operate behind these stacks. The third legend says that a Viking raid was stopped by a storm here. One of the Vikings, Earl Harold, who drowned in the accident actually turned into one of these chalk pillars. Which legend do you think is the original?

How to get to Old Harry Rocks

By Car. Old Harry Rocks is located to the east of Studland, to the northeast of Swanage and to the south of Poole and Bournemouth. If you arrive by car, there are a few car parks along Studland Bay where you can park. We parked at Knoll Beach (BH19 3AH), but you can also park at Studland Middle Beach (BH19 3AX) or South Beach (BH19 3AU) car parks.

All car parks are owned by the National Trust. This means that National Trust members can park here for free all day. If you’re a non member then you have to pay £5 to park there all day. Read more about National Trust Memberships by clicking here.

If you don’t have your own car but would like to enjoy the freedom of a private vehicle, then you can always hire a car to get to Old Harry’s Rocks.

By Public Transport. If you arrive by public transport you can take Bus Breezer 50 running half hour services between Swanage and Bournemouth. The journey takes about an hour and I recommend getting off at the Headland House stop in Studland. From there, you can walk down School Lane and Watery Lane which then join with the South West Coast Path leading you to Old Harry Rocks. You can plan your journey by clicking here.

If you’re coming from further afield, I recommend getting the train to Bournemouth. Train services are running to destinations such as London, Poole, Weymouth and even a few to Manchester. From there you can take Bus Breezer 50 to Studland. Make sure to plan your journey with Trainline which also provides information on bus fares. 

By Bike. If you enjoy cycling then National Cycle Network Route 2 and 4 run in the vicinity of Studland and Swanage.

Good to Know Before You Go

Length of the Old Harry Rocks Circular Walking Trail

The Old Harry Rocks circular walking trail we completed was just under 9 km (5.5 miles) long. Depending on your speed or how long you’re spending at Old Harry Rocks, this route could take around 3 hours. 

For reference, we had a nice and sunny morning with hardly any wind, so we tried to enjoy the scenery and the sunshine as long as possible. We actually spent a good 1.5 hours just enjoying the rock formations, the views and taking hundreds of photos. (Yes, I definitely took one too many, but I couldn’t resist!)

If you’re adventurous, you can of course extend the walk. From Old Harry Rocks you can carry on along the South West Coast Path and explore Swanage Bay. This would add an additional 7 to 10 km (4.3-6.2 miles) onto your route depending on how far you’re walking along Swanage Bay. 

Of course, you can also shorten your walk by parking at the closest beach (Studland Middle Beach) and just walking to Old Harry Rocks and back the same way. This would only be an approximately 1 to 2 hour roundtrip. (Again depending on how long you spend at Old Harry Rocks.)

When to visit Old Harry Rocks? I recommend you start your walk a bit earlier if you come on a weekend. Alternatively, I suggest coming on a weekday if you can. Old Harry Rocks is one of many popular spots along the Jurassic Coast. When we arrived in the morning there was nobody there but in the next hour more and more people arrived. It was a Tuesday morning between 9 and 10 am with no half terms. So I can only imagine this place during a weekend!

Level of Difficulty

I would rate the Old Harry Rocks walking route easy as you can complete it with a basic level of fitness. Even if you’ve not been walking and hiking a lot the terrain is pretty flat and the only ascent is along Purbeck Way. However, I sill recommend wearing comfortable footwear like trainers or boots. 

Please Note! –  I don’t recommend you stand too close to the edges at Old Harry Rocks. There are many sections where you can walk out to the very edge via a narrow path. If the visibility and weather conditions are bad I highly recommend staying a bit further back. The rocks were pretty slippery even when we visited on a sunny day. I can only imagine how scary it might feel if the wind is strong here. Believe me it’s a big drop!

This particular route is only sheltered for a short section at the start of your walk. You’ll be exposed for the majority of the trail, so strong wind and rain can make this walk uncomfortable. Therefore, I recommend wearing weather appropriate clothing.

 I think this walk could be a great activity even on a slightly windy and rainy day but I wouldn’t suggest doing it in really bad weather conditions or when visibility is too low. After all the views are the best part of this walk!

Again, if the weather conditions aren’t suitable, please make sure you’re safe and don’t risk standing too close to the edges!

Facilities around Old Harry Rocks

Cafés and picnic spots: I highly recommend packing your own lunch as Old Harry Rocks will provide you with the perfect picnic spot. However, if you’d like to grab a coffee or tea and a bite to eat, you can do that either in Studland or along the beaches. 

Toilet facilities: There are public toilets available along the beaches. Please note there won’t be any public toilets available along the rest of this trail, until you arrive back to the beaches. 

What to Wear and Bring with You?

You are in the south of England so the weather tends to be slightly better compared to the north. However, it can still change quickly, especially during the winter months.

At the time of our visit it was a dry and sunny day with hardly any wind in the early morning. I recommend weather appropriate clothing when going on the Old Harry Rocks walking trail. You’ll be exposed along the majority of the trail. Therefore, make sure you check the weather forecast before you set off and have a few layers with you. You might feel a bit cooler closer to the coastline but warmer for the rest of the walk. 

Whilst the trail is pretty good it can still be a bit uneven in places. Rain can also make parts of the trail muddy and slippery. Therefore, I suggest wearing comfortable walking shoes, boots or sandals. 

I suggest packing your own lunch and snacks and having plenty of water and hot drinks with you depending on the weather. I highly recommend stopping for a picnic at Old Harry Rocks. This circular walk will also take you through some sandy beaches. So if you’d like to have a dip in the water then pack some swimsuits and towels with you.

Please Note! – Whatever you bring with you, make sure you either take it home with you or dispose of it responsibly. Enjoy your time in nature but Leave No Trace!

Old Harry Rocks Circular Walking Trail

The Old Harry Rocks walking trail is very easy to follow as it is clearly signposted, but as usual I divided the route into 4 main sections. 

Disclaimer – Before you read any further I’d like to point out the fact that unless you’re on a boat, a helicopter, a kayak or using a drone you’ll not be able to see Old Harry Rocks the way hundreds of photos (including a few of mine) show you. For this reason, I took many photos with my camera to realistically show you the photos and views you would normally get by walking to Old Harry Rocks. (Obviously, we couldn’t pass up the chance to get some amazing drone footage, which you can enjoy in our YouTube video.)

1. Studland Bay to Old Harry Rocks

Regardless of which of the three car parks you parked in along Studland Bay, you’ll need to walk along the beach in the direction of Old Harry Rocks. If you parked at Knoll Beach Car Park, you’ll be walking along the beach for a bit longer.

As you reach Studland Middle Beach, watch out for a set of stones called the Dragon’s Teeth on your right. This feature is actually part of the National Trust’s Studland Beach Second World War walking trail. It was designed to stop the enemies’ tanks.

Since a section at Studland Middle Beach car park was closed we had to walk up from the beach through the car park. Unless that section is open you’ll likely have to do the same. From the car park you’ll end up on Beach Road. Turn left here and find the South West Coast Path sign that will be on your right. From here you’ll just need to follow the path that will lead you all the way to Old Harry Rocks. 

You’ll pass Fort Henry on your left. It’s a World War II observation bunker that was built to defend Studland Bay from a possible German invasion. Today it’s a Grade II listed building owned by the National Trust. It’s also part of the Studland Beach Second World War walk.

From there, just follow the path that circles around the back of The Pig Hotel and restaurant. This will lead you to Manor Road from where you’ll need to take the second path on your left that will join with the S W Coast Path. It is pretty straight forward from here, just follow the path all the way to Handfast Point where Old Harry Rocks is. 

2. Exploring Old Harry Rocks

You’ll soon get a glimpse of the white cliffs as you approach Old Harry Rocks. From the direction you’re approaching from, you’ll first see the chalk formations from the western side. There are a few options for walking out and getting a better view of Old Harry Rocks. You can clearly see St Lucas’ Leap from here, which is the gap where the rocks were separated from the mainland. This section is actually quite wide and I felt absolutely safe standing there. 

Please Note – The rocks are slippery even on a dry and sunny day. I don’t have a fear of heights so for the most part I felt safe walking out as far as I could. The only section that is a bit dodgy is the one that leads you all the way to St Lucas’ Leap. It was pretty slippery and narrow and even with hardly any wind I didn’t feel confident walking out all the way. Please also be careful and don’t force yourself to go if you’re unsure. Obviously, if you have a fear of heights, I don’t recommend you walk too close to the edges!

Once you walk to the other side, you’ll have a better view of Old Harry, Old Harry’s Wife and No Man’s Land. (Please refer to my Alltrails’ map above for the rock formations.) There’s again a pretty wide path you can walk out on to get a better view. If you turn around, from here you can see some other cool formations along the coast. These two are called Turf Rickrock (or Haystack) and The Pinnacle. 

3. Old Harry Rocks to Studland Hill

Once you’re ready to leave these amazing chalk formations behind carry on along the South West Coast Path. There will be a few paths crisscrossing here before they all merge into one. I recommend just walking on the one close to the coastline so you can enjoy the formations for as long as possible.

Once you get to a fork in the road, take the path on your right called Purbeck Way. This actually goes through a fenced field to Studland Hill. The other path carries along the coast all the way to Swanage Bay. 

This is the only section of this Old Harry Rocks walk where you’ll be going uphill. But trust me you’ll see in a few minutes that it is worth coming this way. Since it’s an open field and nothing is blocking you, you will have the most amazing view of Studland Bay to your right and Swanage Bay to your left. On a clear day you’ll be able to see all the way to Bournemouth.

Who would’ve thought that a little ascent through a field could provide you with a 360 degree view of the area?

4. Studland Hill to Studland Bay

When you come to the first crossroads on Studland Hill turn right and head down the hill. You’ll see some very fancy houses in the distance just outside of Studland. The path will eventually circle around this residential area, so you can have a closer look at the very expensive houses. Once you’ve passed this section, just follow this road all the way into Studland. You should pass Manor Farm Tea Room on your right. Take Church Road in the middle between School Lane and Watery Lane. This will lead you through St Nicholas’ Church and graveyard. 

If you parked at South Beach Car Park, it should be immediately on your right. If you parked further along the beach then carry on straight then turn right on Rectory Lane. You’ll pass The Pig again from the front before turning right onto Beach Road. From here, depending on where you parked, just follow the path along the beach the same way you came this morning. Once you’ve reached your chosen car park you’ll have completed this 9 km long Old Harry Rocks walk.

Additional Hikes along the Jurassic Coast in Dorset

The Dorset section of the Jurassic Coast is definitely packed with some of the most amazing landscapes. Therefore, it also offers some of the greatest walking routes. Whilst you can walk the entire length of the coast by following the South West Coast Path, you can also break it up and explore it section by section. The latter is what we did and here is a list of great walks you can complete too:

Golden Cap and Langdon Hill Circular Walk – Explore Golden Cap by a 7 km long circular walk that takes in Langdon Hill, Seatown Beach, St Gabriel’s Chapel and St Gabriel’s Wood. Click here to read it.

Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove Walk – A 5 km point to point walk exploring the iconic Durdle Door and the stunning Lulworth Cove. Click here to read it.

Isle of Portland Circular Walk – A 16 km route circling around the entire Isle of Portland, visiting many features such as a lighthouse, cool rock formations, stunning viewpoints, a sculpture park and many ruins. Click here to read it.

You can also browse for more hiking trails in the UK and around the world in my Hiking Adventures Series.

Final Thoughts on the Old Harry Rocks Circular Walk

I must admit that this Old Harry Rocks Walk was more fun and beautiful than I expected. Although you can’t see the iconic view that’s always shown on the internet this place didn’t disappoint me. I was surprised by just how many angles you can view these stunning chalk formations from. 

If I were you, I would try to plan my visit for a sunny day. The cliffs will look whiter, the grass will look greener and the water will look more blue and turquoise when the sun is out. I also think you should spend a good amount of time exploring the cliffs. Every angle is stunning, so it’s only appropriate to appreciate another perfect example of nature’s power a bit longer.

Have you ever visited Old Harry Rocks or the Jurassic Coast before? If so, how much of the area did you manage to explore? Let me know in the comments below.