LEGACY TRAIL - Visit Dorset

StartFollow the Legacy Trail along the Coast Path fromPortland Castle to the start of the Merchant’sIncline.This walk follows in the foot steps of the quarrymenand their wagons of stone on the route of the originalMerchant's Railway. It was constructed purely totransport stone.Portland Harbour with its sheltered position andbreakwater of Portland Stone has long been used byships and was occupied by the Navy until 1996.Portland Castle and Sandsfoot Castle, (now a ruin) onthe Weymouth side of the harbour, were built ascoastal defences by Henry VIII.Length of walk: c 2.5milesAccess: Steep climb up theMerchants’ incline to jointhe Merchants’ railway,which then follows thecontours to Priory corner.Steep climb down theWest Weares.Free Parking near PortlandCastle which is served bybuses. Toilets andrefreshments at PortlandCastle, Heights Hotel andin Chiswell.Start climbing up the incline stretching straightahead and rising steeply.The Merchant's Incline built in 1826 enabled thetransportation of stone using no power operatedmachinery or engines. The weight of the laden trucksdescending to Castletown pulled the empty ones upusing a chain on a drum. The tramway stone sleeperscan still be seen in places in the path along the route.Teams of horses were used to transport the stone ateither end of the incline and along the railwayaround Verne Hill and over to Priory Corner-the routethis walk takes.Cross East Weare Road and up to the top.You are rewarded with fantastic views of ChesilBeach, Portland Harbour and across to the Ridgeway.Hidden behind the grassy slopes the Verne Citadel,originally built as a concealed army barracks, is now aprison. In spring and summer, the longer grassattracts skipper, marbled White and blue butterflies.Pass under the road and skirt Verne Hill. Take themiddle path around the hillside, which follows theroute of one of two original tramway tracks that ranaround this hill.Ahead is the Verne Yeates incline, with three bridgesacross it. This was built to transport stone fromKingbarrow and adjacent quarries down to theMerchant's Railway. This area of grassland and scrubis part of the Isle of Portland Site of Special ScientificInterest and is important for its rich diversity ofplants, butterflies and moths. You may want to climbup to the edge of the grassy slopes to see the deepmoat. Look out for kestrels hovering over thegrassland looking for small mammals and beetles.Leave the Coast Path and follow the Legacy Trailsigns to Verne Hill Road. At the road turn right andcontinue down the road crossing over the first of thethree bridges. After the bridge, continue to afootpath on the left. Follow this, the old Merchant’srailway line, across Old Hill. Continue along this pathto an access road and down a footpath on the rightto cross the main road. You’ll see a model of aDerrick crane at Priory Corner and the Spirit ofPortland stone carving ahead.Speckled wood butterflies love the dappled shadealong this footpath. This was near the start of theMerchant's Railway where the wagons were loadedwith stone from quarries across the Island includingTout Quarry beyond Priory Corner. This quarry is wellknown for its sculptures, including ‘Still Falling’ anAntony Gormley, set within the landscape and is wellworth a visit. Circular walk 7. explores the quarries.