The South West Coast Path is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, and a new guide has been published covering the south Devon and Dorset section.

Authors Henry Steadman and Joel Newton are seasoned walkers, and they admit that: “There are few, if any, stretches of the British coastline that can offer the walker such variety, such interest – and such beauty – as this final leg of the coast path.

“From sun-drenched promenades to wild, remote cliff tops, through ancient ‘apple pie’ villages, tiny thatched hamlets and smart, friendly Georgian resorts, this path has it all.”

In 1948 a government report recommended the creation of a footpath around the entire south west peninsula to improve public access to the coast which, at that time, was pretty dire. It took until 1973 before parts were officially declared open.

The origins of the path, however, are much older than its official designation.

Originally, the paths were established – or at least adopted, there presumably being coastal paths from time immemorial that connected the coastal villages – by coastguards in the 19th century, who needed a path that hugged the shoreline closely to help them spot and prevent smugglers from bringing contraband into the country.

The coastguards were unpopular as they prevented the locals from exploiting a lucrative, if illegal activity, to the extent that it was considered too dangerous for them to stay in the villages. As a result, the authorities were obliged to build cottages for the coastguards which stood (and often still stand) near the paths but well away from the villages.

Over the coastline’s length it now offers views, unparalleled for their extent and scenic quality, which have come about simply from this working origin.

The South West Coast Path is the longest of the country’s National Trails, with a length of 630 miles/1014 km, starting at Minehead on Somerset’s coast and ending at Poole Harbour. As such, it is well signposted and waymarked, using the National Trail symbol of the acorn.

The book states that there’s no need for crampons, ropes, ice axes, oxygen bottles or any other climbing paraphernalia because there’s no climbing involved. All you need to complete the walk is some suitable clothing, a bit of money, a rucksack full of determination and a half-decent pair of calf muscles. However, given the undulating nature of Britain’s coastline, and the fact that the course of the SWCP crosses innumerable river valleys (forcing the walker to descend rapidly before climbing back up again almost immediately afterwards) it can be an exhausting trek.

It has been estimated that anyone who completes the entire SWCP will have climbed more than four times the height of Everest (35,031m to be precise or 114,931ft) by the time they finish.

If that sounds a bit ominous, how about doing this fabulous stretch between Weymouth and Lulworth Cove. It’s 11 miles and will take you around four hours and 40 minutes. Reckoned by many to be the most beautiful on the trail, it starts on the flat and takes you to the pure white chalky cliffs leading to Lulworth Cove.

The first gradient on this strenuous stage is a small one. Divert from the seafront at Weymouth and climb Bowleaze Coveway over Jordan Hill which is topped by the remains of a Roman temple. The road continues down to Beachside Leisure Centre and its cafe.

Climbing out of the dip you pass the art deco splendour of the Riviera Hotel. Look to your left for the best view from the path of the Osmington White Horse.

You’re briefly diverted away from some cliffside erosion, then the path really saunters along before dropping after some simple meandering with the South Dorset Ridgeway just before it meets the road running down to Osmington Mills.

Heading round behind Smugglers Inn, more field walking follows before the path cuts through the houses of Ringstead Bay and goes up past the landslips that lie to your right.

Then the tough stuff begins. Most of the climbs on this section are lengthy and steep. The first descent, down to Middle Bottom, is typical and passes two stone obelisks which were 19th-century navigational aids used by sailors.

The path descends quickly along the cliffside before climbing, equally rapidly, out of it.

A second descent down to the beach by the Bat’s Hole rock formation and the wonderfully-named Scratchy Bottom follow in short order before finally the view of Durdle Door comes into view.

There’s one more climb over Hambury Tout before the elegant arc of lovely Lulworth Cove is reached.

  • Dorset & South Devon Coast Path by Henry Stedman & Joel Newton is published by Trailblazer priced £11.99