IT's often the case that when something is on your doorstep, you don't always appreciate it.

But with dramatic cliffs, crystal clear waters, miles of deserted beaches and enchanted forests covering the entire Dorset coastline, it's hard to ignore the calling of the Jurassic Coast.

I've made many memories walking parts of the Jurassic Coast, but the time came recently when I decided to throw caution to the wind and walk its entirety.

At 95 miles long, the South West Coast Path (SWCP) provides a well-signed path from Orcombe Point in Exmouth to Old Harry Rocks in Studland. It's no mean feat.

Yet while my feet were blistered and bruised, every step of the breathtaking landscape was worth it.

Splitting the epic walk over seven days, I camped under the stars and spent some nights in hotels for a few more home comforts.

Walking from Exmouth to Sidmouth on the first day, the great red cliffs topped with green grass contrasted against the blue skies and turquoise waters.

Families walking were in great spirits, but it was the quieter moments of solitude and enjoying the vibrant views that I had come for.

On the first day that moment came near Budleigh Salterton, at Danger Point.

Here, you can't help but take a moment to appreciate the magnitude of the Jurassic Coast.

Its coastline documents about 185 million years of history, and the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.

It's a walk through time as you take in the different layers of rock and contrasting colours of cliffs. It's easy to see why then, the area became England's first natural World Heritage Site in 2001.

With the rocky coastline carved by the sea, natural coves, bays and beaches have formed.

The vibrancy of the bright red cliffs suggests they were formed 225 million years ago in a hot dry desert in the Triassic period.

What's left today is a pebble bed and steep drop at Danger Point, and a little pocket of paradise.

Leaving the spot behind, and huffing and puffing over the next few hills, I reached Sidmouth just before dusk.

It didn't seem long before dawn arrived, and a much longer stint to Lyme Regis with six miles of an undercliff to get through.

The darkness of the forests of the undercliff was for me, the hardest part of the walk. Though enchanting and a refreshing change of scenery, after a few miles, I couldn't help but wonder if the undercliff was ever going to end.

The entwining path is lined with greenery and stinging nettles galore. Signs before you enter the thickness of the forest label it 'treacherous terrain' and with each slippery step and mud splattering up my legs, I could see why.

A few slips and stings later, I reached the hustle and bustle of Lyme Regis.

The highest point on the South Coast is the formidable Golden Cap.

Protruding proudly at 627 ft, it's arguably the best view of the Jurassic Coast.

Miles later, reaching West Bay, the cliffs have now turned golden, and the sky is still blue as night falls and I set up my one-man tent.

The next day, there's an untypical long flat stretch on to Weymouth along Chesil beach.

Here, I meet Harley, a teenager who woke up and decided to walk from West Bay to Weymouth. He's only 15, but his enthusiasm for the outdoors gives me a burst of inspiration for plodding on.

As he strides ahead, I reach Weymouth just as spots of rain start to fall for the first time in a week.

What followed the rain was howling wind. From Weymouth to Durdle Door, I battled the high winds at the chalk headland of White Nothe as water danced on the sea's surface below with the wind.

From there to Worbarrow Tout, the chalky cliffs reminded me exactly why a week on the Jurassic coast can beat any holiday abroad.

I was lucky I was walking too when Lulworth Ranges were open, allowing me to continue my walk along the coast.

With the end almost in sight, the last day of the walk was, dare I say, a breeze. From Dancing Ledge to those chalky giant stumps in the sea.

Stopping in Swanage for one final ice-cream, I don't think there could have been a more stunning end to the Jurassic Coast with Old Harry Rocks.

The formation of the rocks are so incredible, it reminds you how precious the coast is, and the opportunity on your doorstep to go through 227 stiles, up and down 3896 steps, across 37 bridges, follow 577 SWCP signs and up and down 12,851ft, and 3917 metres of cliffs.

*Join the SWCP #Challenge630 in October by walking the much-loved coastal path.

*Visit southwestcoastpath.org.uk and jurassiccoast.org to learn more about the Jurassic Coast.