The Jurassic coast is a 95 mile stretch of coastline from Exmouth in Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset. In 2001 it became the first wholly natural world heritage site to be designated in the United Kingdom, putting it in the same category as the Great Barrier Reef and the Grand Canyon. It has not always looked as it does now. At times it has been desert, marsh and a shallow sea. The fossilised remains of the various creatures that lived there have been preserved in the rocks and are slowly being exposed as parts of the cliff crumble.

The Jurassic coast path

The Jurassic coast path forms a section of the southwest coast path, a long-distance trail which starts in Minehead in Somerset and finishes at Old Harry’s rocks not far from Studland in Dorset. Although the Jurassic coast stretch is 95 miles the path itself is a few miles longer. As you follow the acorn it will lead you through 185 million years of history. The cliffs are made from sedimentary rock and were formed during the Mesozoic era. The era consisted of three major periods, the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous also known as the age of the dinosaurs.

The Triassic rocks that you encounter at the start of the walk were formed when the continents were joined together to form a single super continent, we call Pangaea. The rocks contain ferric oxide and when the iron in the rock is exposed to the oxygen in the air it turns the dramatic red colour. You will see this in the rocks around Sandy Bay.

The dramatic red sandstone crumbles easily and walkers should check the route carefully beforehand. Dogs should be kept on leads and hikers are sometimes advised to take a detour. The stack at Ladram bay shows the colour of the rock clearly.

The trail has some difficult sections with steep climbs but also some flat sections.

Places to visit on route.

Budleigh Salterton

Sir Walter Raleigh was born in this pretty seaside town.

Lyme Regis

Lyme Regis marks the border between Dorset and Devon. It is famous as the birth place of renowned fossil collector Mary Anning. The Lyme Regis Museum sits on the site of Mary’s home.

Sidmouth

Sidmouth was a small village until it became popular during the Georgian and Victorian era. Many of the grand villas of the period have now been turned into hotels. The town is famous for its folk festival in August and is a regular winner of Britain in Bloom Competitions. A local resident left a large sum for conservation and instructed the townsfolk to think outside the box. Each year they plant a million daffodil bulbs in his honour and the million-bulb festival has become very popular with spring tourists.

Weymouth

Weymouth is situated at about the halfway point of the Jurassic coast path. It has a sheltered harbour and a very safe beach. The town still has a commercial fishing fleet and there is no shortage of fresh seafood. The Jubilee clock tower was erected in 1888 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee. It makes a bold statement on the esplanade and has become a symbol for Weymouth.

South of Weymouth overlooking Portland harbour is the National Sailing academy which often hosts important events. Bill and I watched some of the 2012 Olympic sailing events from the clifftop.

Durdle Door

Durdle door is perhaps the most famous rock formation on the Jurassic coast. It is composed of Portland limestone and was formed when softer round eroded around the limestone.

My virtual walk of the Jurassic coast Path

I love Dorset and have visited the seaside resorts such as Swanage, Weymouth, Lyme Regis and Poole many times. When I was younger, I was lucky enough to walk parts of the Jurassic Coast Path. Now aged seventy-one, I have just started the Jurassic coast virtual walk with Conqueror challenges. Although I admit they are not as good as the real thing I still love a challenge and I find virtual walks are a good way to motivate myself to keep fit.

I have connected my Fitbit to their app and am able to follow my progress on a map. This time for obvious reasons there is no google street view. I enjoyed moving pegman around the map to explore many of the local landmarks.

If you would like to find out more about Conqueror Challenges or even start one yourself my link will give you 10% off your first challenge.