Looking for a scenic adventure along the stunning Dorset coastline? The Corfe Castle to Swanage walk is a must-do for anyone who loves breathtaking views and a bit of history.
This picturesque route takes you from the iconic ruins of Corfe Castle along the Purbeck Way. Passing amazing views across Swanage Bay and Old Harry Rocks, you walk will end in the seaside town of Swanage.
Spanning approximately 8 miles, this walk offers a mix of moderate terrain. Perfect for seasoned walkers or those seeking a day of exploration. There are good transport links on either bus or the Swanage Railway for the return journey to Corfe.
Parking At Corfe Castle
There is a good size car park owned by the National Trust at Corfe Castle. This car park fills up quickly through the day, however if you’re starting your walk early then this is a good car parking option. Parking is also FREE for National Trust members.
Before you begin your walk, there are toilets and refreshments available in the visitors centre here too.
Corfe Castle To Swanage Walk
Leaving the National Trust car park, cross the road and pass through the gate to access the path which takes you around the side of the castle ruins.
As you reach the entrance to the castle ruins, continue through the town towards the Bankes Arms pub. Turning right here past the church yard and follow the main road along East Street.
At the zebra crossing by Corfe Castle Primary school, cross the road and walk along until you spot the footpath just by the Castle Inn. Follow the footpath and walk across the open green space towards the railway crossing. There is a kissing gate by the crossing.
After crossing over the railway line, follow the field until you reach a gate and a footbridge over the stream. You will pass a row of houses along the road. Corfe Castle will be in front of you, but just a short way down the road there is a turning to your right through a gate which takes you onto the Purbeck Way.
The path will rise now in an incline and you will see a phone mast ahead of you. Follow the path along the Ullwell Ridge path towards Poole Harbour.
You will be treated to some lovely views along the way to your left of Poole Harbour. The path is mainly flat and straight making it very difficult to go wrong. You will start to see views of Swanage in the distance to your right.
Passing some cattle (behind a fence), eventually you’ll pass through a gate marked the Purbeck Way. You will feel as though you are going the wrong way at some points, but you need to cross the road and continue along the Purbeck Way.
Here you’ll start to see signs for Old Harry Rocks, and you will pass the water works. You need to follow the signs for the obelisk and climb the steps. There are just over 200 steps so be warned this will be the toughest part of the walk.
Some of the steps were quite overgrown during our walk, so do take care. The views from the top are worth it, and it’s a good time to stop for a drink or snack.
Facing the obelisk, turn right and follow the path towards Old Harry Rocks. You will walk across Ballard Down and be aware there can be cattle that aren’t behind the fences.
Once you near Old Harry, you can continue straight on to see the views, or turn right and follow the coastal path along the top of Swanage Bay.
Your walk takes you around Swanage Bay, descending slowly as you round the bay. Depending on the tide, you can finish the walk along the beach, however the steps are in a big state of disrepair and it can be a precarious climb down.
There is also the option to continue the path without accessing the beach just yet too. If you decide to cross the bridge instead of accessing the beach, the path will take you out into a road. Passing the old post office, you then need to turn left along the one way system which will lead you down to the seafront.
At this point, the walk is technically at the end. We like to visit one of the many Swanage pubs for some lunch or a drink before making our return journey.
The bus stop back to Corfe Castle is located outside the railway station. You could also choose to get the train back for a relaxing journey through the countryside.
If you choose the bus, then it conveniently stops right outside the entrance to the National Trust car park.
A printable walk can also be downloaded from the National Trust website.