Isle of Wight Coastal Path

With over half of the island designated as an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty,  almost 30 miles of heritage coast and an abundance of sunshine make the Isle of Wight a very appealing and welcoming destination in Britain.  Add to this the wonderful 67 mile coastal path circumnavigating the island and you have a walker's paradise just waiting to be explored.

Starting in the historic town of Ryde and following the coast in an anti clockwise direction prepare to splendour in the delights the Isle of Wight has to offer.  The unspoilt landscape has so much to offer, you can visit the blue flag beaches at Sandown, Shanklin and Ventnor and wander through the charming towns of Cowes and Yarmouth.  Escape into the wide open spaces of Tennyson Down, watch the wildlife of the West Wight and Bembri
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Sally Thompson 
updated on: April 21, 2022
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Hiking route · United Kingdom
Ryde to Cowes
Difficulty easy
Distance 13.7 km
Duration 3:30 h
Ascent 138 m
Descent 180 m

A nice easy walk from Ryde to Cowes, passing through Wootton Bridge and around Osborne House before crossing the River Medina. Arriving in Cowes it ...

from Iain Grant,   Macs Adventure
Hiking route · United Kingdom
Cowes to Shalfleet
Difficulty easy
Distance 14.1 km
Duration 3:30 h
Ascent 124 m
Descent 111 m

This walk follows the sea front westwards out of Cowes to Gurnard Bay. Then along the coast path proper, down to Thorness Bay with excellent views ...

1
from Iain Grant,   Macs Adventure
Hiking route · United Kingdom
Shalfleet to Yarmouth
Difficulty moderate
Distance 12.2 km
Duration 3:30 h
Ascent 92 m
Descent 115 m

Starting at Shalfleet Church, the walk follows the western shores of the Newtown River, then along the coast above Bouldnor cliff. From here it ...

from Iain Grant,   Macs Adventure
Hiking route · United Kingdom
Yarmouth to Freshwater Bay
Difficulty moderate
Distance 14.9 km
Duration 3:45 h
Ascent 281 m
Descent 283 m

Leaving Yarmouth, the route crosses the harbour and through the Victoria Country Park. From here the coastal path follows Colwell and Totland Bays ...

from Iain Grant,   Macs Adventure
Hiking route · United Kingdom
Freshwater Bay to Chale
Difficulty moderate
Distance 18.4 km
Duration 4:45 h
Ascent 268 m
Descent 188 m

Leaving Freshwater Bay the route climbs over Freshwater Cliff and follows the coastline south eastwards towards St. Catherine’s Point.

from Iain Grant,   Macs Adventure
Hiking route · United Kingdom
Chale to Sandown
Difficulty moderate
Distance 20.1 km
Duration 5:30 h
Ascent 319 m
Descent 392 m

Leaving Chale the route follows the cliff line above St Catherine’s Point before descending through St Lawrence to the coast. From here the path ...

from Iain Grant,   Macs Adventure
Hiking route · United Kingdom
Sandown to Ryde
recommended route Difficulty moderate
Distance 19.8 km
Duration 5:00 h
Ascent 139 m
Descent 169 m

Leaving Sandown the route ascends up and over Bembridge Down with great views in every direction, then down into Bembridge itself. From here the ...

1
from Iain Grant,   Macs Adventure