Footscape Holidays

Weymouth Independent Walking Holiday

Weymouth and Portland occupy a prominent place on the Jurassic Coast Natural World Heritage Site, they were the spectacular setting for the 2012 Sailing Olympics.

Our three beautiful trails are very different from each other. They include sea cliffs, safe beaches, an iron age hill fort, mixed woodland, a bird sanctuary, historic sites and village pubs. As the holiday is based in Weymouth, with its abundance of things to do, it is a very attractive option for families with children.

You can choose your own dates for this independent walking holiday, subject to the availability of accommodation. To do the full 3 days of walking, you should opt for a 4 night holiday (or longer, if you would like to spend a day on the beach or go sea fishing or enjoy some of Weymouth’s other attractions). You can also book a short walking break of 2 or 3 nights.

About the walk

The first trail on our Weymouth hiking tour is an easy to moderate, circular 8 mile (13 km) walk around the interesting “Isle” of Portland. You can increase the distance by 5 miles (8 km), if you walk back to Weymouth at the end.

The second walk, either 7 or 10½ miles (11 or 17 km), depending on whether you walk or take the bus for the first few miles, heads east along the Jurassic Coast to Lulworth Cove past Durdle Door. There are some very steep but short ups and downs along this section of the South West Coast Path - one of the most spectacular parts of the Jurassic Coast.

The third day takes you inland to Dorchester (10½ miles), with a choice of trail after the first 4 miles. You can choose to go over the amazing iron-age hill fort of Maiden Castle to Poundbury (Prince Charles’ model town on the outskirts of Dorchester) or take an alternative (easier) path to Max Gate – Thomas Hardy’s home for the last 40 years of his life (also on the edge of Dorchester). You could even opt to do both walks over two days. In either case there is a lot to see in Dorchester before returning to Weymouth by bus.

Accommodation and services

You will stay in a choice of accommodation in Weymouth, which will include a full English breakfast each morning. We will give you our detailed Trail Guide, the relevant ordnance survey map with the Footscape trail highlighted and all other information that you will need.

Trail Highlights

• The Georgian seaside resort of Weymouth
• The dramatic “Isle” of Portland with its Lighthouse and Museum
• Durdle Door, with its clear waters and beautiful beach, and Lulworth Cove
• Lodmoor Nature Reserve (for birds) 
• The neolithic settlement and iron-age hill fort of Maiden Castle
• Poundbury - a model town designed by the Prince of Wales
• Max Gate - Thomas Hardy’s self-designed home of over 40 years
• The historic town of Dorchester.