Portland's quarrying history has created a unique landscape to explore. In a short walk, less than 2km, find out about the famous Portland rock and quarries, how the stone was worked and transported over a century ago and the wildlife living there now.
Follow the routes of the original horse-drawn tramways which carried wooden wagons, laden with stone, from quarries down to sea barges at Castletown. The trail explores contrasting quarry landscapes, old and new. It takes you under bridges, through tunnels and secret rocky gullies. It passes old horse troughs, quarrymen's shelters, ancient fossil forests, hidden sculptures and abundant wildlife.
Join the Portland quarry trails at a number of places, choose a short or longer circuit or just visit one of the main sites of interest. Whatever you choose, you will find out something new about this fascinating island.
King Barrow Quarry trail
King Barrow Quarry is not just a disused quarry. Old quarrying methods have left behind a wealth of accessible geology including the Portland and lower Purbeck limestones formed in the late Jurassic, 135 - 145 million years ago and fossil forest, fascinating industrial archaeology and lots of places for wildlife.
Download the King Barrow Quarry trail leaflet
The Tout Quarry trail
Tout Quarry is one of only 2 remaining quarries where Portland stone was quarried using old methods. Discover over 60 'hidden' sculptures and learn along the way about rocks, history and wildlife of this fascinating place.
Download the Tout Quarry trail leaflet
The Verne local nature reserve trail
The peaceful slopes of the Verne and Old Hill were once the scene of a remarkable reshaping of the landscape, creating a fascinating heritage of industrial archaeology such as the Merchant's Railway and the Victorian High Angle Battery and natural history such as the undisturbed flowery limestone grassland. The land has been declared a Local Nature Reserve in recognition of its value for wildlife and local people.