Standing very proud at 191 metres, the Golden Cap is the highest point on the south coast, making it a worthy destination for a walk. The usual routes set off from either Charmouth or Seaton, and both offer staggering views and plenty of opportunities for a breather – sorry, we mean picture.
While these two routes offer a superb challenge while earning you a pub lunch, we’ve got an easy route that’s perfect for when you’ve got the kids or dog in tow and want all of the views with less of the effort! Goodbye, huffing and puffing. So long, sweaty brows. See ya’ later, blisters! We’re walking to the top of the Golden Cap, but we’re taking the easy way…
About the Golden Cap easy walk
While the other Golden Cap walks are around 4 miles in length, this sneaky route clocks in at around 2 miles, meaning you can easily walk there and back within an hour… but why rush! Allowing yourself 2 hours for this cheeky walk means you can make the most of your iconic destination. We mean, what’s the point in walking to the Golden Cap if you don’t pause at the top to enjoy a picnic with 360-degree views!
In terms of difficulty, it’s safe to say that this route is known as a cheat route for good reason. Rather than starting from sea level, you can enjoy a significantly more gradual climb, with just the last stretch testing the calves, making this version of the Golden Cap circular walk easy to moderate. It might be an easier version, but we would still count this route as one of the best walks in Dorset.
Parking
For parking, the easy part is that the car park is the start of your walk, the tricky bit is finding the car park. But let’s be honest, would it really be a cheat route if it was easy to find? To get to the Langdon Hill car park, head to the A35 between Chideock and Morecombelake before taking the little turning to the south at the brow of the hill. After this, take the next left and follow the signs to the Langdon Hill car park.
The route
You’ll start your trek through the beautiful woodland at Langdon Hill, where you can either take the shorter route to the left (0.5 miles) or the longer route to the right (1 mile).
We recommend turning right and embarking on the full walk as you’ll get to enjoy the shaded beauty of the trees for longer alongside stunning views over Chideock and the surrounding countryside. As you saunter along this dappled path, there are a few seats that provide the perfect place to pop yourself down and enjoy the view. If you visit in May, you’ll be met by a carpet of bluebells that add an incredible wash of colour to the lush greens of the wood.
Soon, you’ll arrive at the clearly signposted Golden Cap path, which takes you across a couple of open fields before leading to the steep but short climb to the summit. There are plenty of waymarkers here, but all you really have to do is follow your nose upwards as your eager eyes search for the massive views they’ve been waiting for.
Golden Cap dominates the coastline in the Lyme Bay area, but it’s not until you reach the top and the triangulation pillar that you realise quite how high it is, with breathtaking views down across the coast to the east overlooking Seatown, Chesil Beach, and the Isle of Portland – you can even see all the way down to Start Point in South Devon on a clear day! When you walk a little further to the south, it plateaus out with a nice open space and tremendous views to the west over Charmouth and Lyme Regis. This is the best spot for a pitstop, so whip out the trusty flask and treat-filled picnic and enjoy one of the best views in Dorset.
When you’re ready to tear yourself away from the arresting views, it’s a deliciously simple route back… just follow the way you came! We like to finish our visit off with a stop-off at The George Inn, which serves superb locally-sourced meals and a lip-smacking range of local ales.
Nearby
Situated on the Jurassic Coast, there are lots of ogle-worthy sights and things to do around the Golden Cap, as well as some charming towns and beaches where you can easily while away a day or two.
If you’re in need of some supplies for your walk, pop into Felicity’s Farm Shop before heading to Langdon Hill. Alongside fresh produce and high-quality free-range meats, you’ll find a superb selection of treats including a takeaway kitchen where you can pick up all the sweet and savoury treats you’ll need for a picnic with a view.
For some fossil-hunting goodness, head to the seaside town of Lyme Regis, which boasts some hunger-quelling eateries and one of Dorset’s lovely beaches full of secrets to discover (take a sneak peek with our handy Lyme Regis webcam). You can also check out the peaceful hamlet of Seatown, which also offers lots of paleontological intrigues and beachy fun. It’s also home to one of the quirkiest places to eat in Dorset: Martin’s Smoky Fire Truck (yes, it’s exactly as it sounds).
Charmouth is another welcoming village in Dorset with lots of things to see and do. Pop into the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre to see some incredible fossils or join in on one of the fossil hunting walks for a fantastic family day out.
Ready to explore the Golden Cap with ease? Take a look at our lovely cottages in Dorset to find the perfect base for your adventures.
