Bournemouth Coast Path

The Bournemouth Coast Path is a 20 mile long-distance footpath through Dorset and Hampshire, England from Sandbanks to Milford-on-Sea. The path follows the coastline and goes through Bournemouth, Boscombe, Southbourne, Hengistbury Head, Mudeford and Highcliffe. Between Hengistbury Head and Mudeford the path uses a ferry to cross Christchurch Harbour. In winter, when the ferry does not usually run, there is a 3 mile detour through Christchurch. The Bournemouth Coast Path connects with the South West Coast Path (by the Sandbanks Ferry) in the west and the Solent Way in the east. The path is not on OS mapping (yet!) or waymarked in its own right, but E9 waymarks and the no brainer of being a coast walk make it pretty straight forward, the only fiddly bit is at Chewton Bunny (a coastal valley)

Bournemouth to Milford On Sea

Saturday 4 July 2009 - 14.25 Miles

ID04072009#20a

This is really pushing it for a day walk, as it is a 4 hour train journey there, and not much less coming back, and a total walk of 21.25 miles. I am just determined to close the gap with the South West Coast Path, although I am still left with a 6 mile gap to Sandbanks. I used the excellent Leigh Hatts guide, which details a walk from Swanage through to Lymington and found the path became more and more attractive, as the overcast conditions broke to another hot sunny day, and the scenery changed from samey prom to beautiful marshland with the Isle of Wight as a backdrop. The route started from Bournemouth Pier, through Boscombe, Southbourne, Hengistbury Head - then a ride on the ferry to Mudeford, Barton on Sea, Milford On Sea and on to Keyhaven, and a very twisty walk along the marsh wall to Lymington Station. Rather crispy critter by the end and only just made it back to Hastings! For the Milford to Lymington Section done on the same day, see Solent Way