Jurassic Cycle - Weymouth to Portland

Essential Intel

This is a cycling Trail, so make sure everyone has suitable bikes, helmets, supplies and enough energy for both the outward route and the return journey. Take care at crossings, roundabouts, roads, shared paths and waterside sections, and keep younger Explorers close throughout. The route is fairly flat, scenic and family-friendly, but the 9 mile distance means snacks, water and pacing are your best expedition allies.

Navigating The Route

This is a linear cycling Treasure Hunt from Weymouth to Portland, with Explorers following official cycle routes to track down the missing remains of the fearsome Doyouthinkhesaurus.

The quest covers approximately 9 miles and should take around 3.5 hours to complete. You’ll follow cycle routes through Weymouth, Lodmoor Country Park, the Rodwell Trail, Sandsfoot, Chesil Beach, Portland Marina and on towards Portland Castle and the gateway to Portland.

The route is fairly flat, with just a few slight inclines along the way. This Trail is great for families and picnics, but it is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. Keep an eye out for the Jurassic Cycle Trail logo as you travel, and take extra care at road crossings, roundabouts and shared paths.

This is a linear route, so remember to allow time and energy for the return journey. To get back to Overcombe, take cycle route 26 along Beach Road towards Weymouth, then retrace your route. A shorter return option follows route 26 and route seven, missing out route four.

Getting There

Time to gather your cycling crew and begin the fossil hunt:

By car - Park at Overcombe Pay and Display car park in Weymouth (DT3 6SX). It is a good idea to pay for an all-day ticket so your squad can take the quest at a steady pace and still have time for snack stops, scenic pauses and any extra fossil-hunting flourishes.

By public transport - Make your way to Overcombe in Weymouth before beginning the route. Bear in mind that this is a 9 mile linear cycling Trail ending near Portland, so plan how your crew will return to the start once the final clue has been cracked.

Need the Loo?

Even the boldest dino-bone hunters need a comfort break before the expedition gets properly prehistoric. Public toilets can be found near the start, just after Clue 02, so it is worth making use of them early before the route stretches onwards towards Portland.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Explorers can join the adventure but do remember it's a cycling Trail, so you'll need somewhere to pop the pooch 🐾

This cycling route includes roads, cycle paths, parkland, coastal stretches and waterside areas, so canine companions will need careful planning if they are coming along. Keep dogs on leads where required, especially near roads, shared paths, wildlife areas and the coast. Make sure they are comfortable with the full distance and the return journey too.

Food & Drink Stops

A 9 mile fossil hunt can make even the hardiest Adventurer feel peckish.

Refreshment stops are limited along the route, so pack plenty of supplies before setting off. There are a few good picnic spots along the way, and Sandsfoot Garden Cafe appears around the middle of the route. With coastal views, parks and Chesil Beach on the cards, this is a quest worth fuelling properly.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Overcombe and Bowleaze Cove

The quest begins at Overcombe, a seaside corner with more history than it first lets on. Nearby Jordan Hill holds the remains of a 4th century Romano-Celtic temple, and Bowleaze Cove was painted by John Constable in 1817.

Lorton Valley Nature Park

The early part of the route passes through Lorton Valley Nature Park, giving Explorers a leafy stretch before the ride continues towards Lodmoor. It is a good place to slow the pace, enjoy the greenery and keep watch for clue-shaped surprises.

Lodmoor Country Park

The route heads into Lodmoor Country Park, following cycle routes through a greener part of Weymouth. It adds a family-friendly, open-air section to the quest before the route links onwards towards the Rodwell Trail.

Sandsfoot Gardens and Castle

The quest leads to Sandsfoot Gardens and Sandsfoot Castle, with the cafe and sundial making this a useful pause point. It is a strong mid-route stop for refreshments, a picnic or a breather before the ride continues towards Chesil Beach.

Chesil Beach Centre

The route visits the Chesil Beach Centre area, where Explorers can pause beside one of Dorset’s natural giants. Chesil Beach stretches for 18 miles and is made up of over 180 billion pebbles, with the wildlife-rich Fleet Lagoon trapped behind it.

Portland Marina and Portland Castle

The later stretch heads past the Sailing Academy, Portland Marina and Portland Castle, giving the final leg a properly coastal expedition feel. It is a great area to linger if your crew has time after pinpointing where the missing dinosaur bones are hidden.