Walking on the Isle of Wight is a delightful experience, combining beautiful landscapes, historical sites, and a mild climate that makes it an ideal destination for walkers all year round. The island is known for its stunning coastal scenery, rolling hills, and pleasant woodlands. Here are some top walking routes and tips for exploring the Isle of Wight on foot:
Popular walks on the Isle of Wight
1. Isle of Wight Coastal Path
- Length: Approximately 70 miles
- Route: Circular route around the island’s coastline
- Highlights: Breathtaking sea views, rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and picturesque villages. The path offers the chance to see places like the Needles, one of the most photographed groups of rocks in the world.
- Advice: The path can be tackled in sections, making it suitable for day trips or a full week-long adventure.
2. Tennyson Trail
- Length: About 14 miles
- Route: Carisbrooke to the Needles
- Highlights: Named after the poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson, this trail offers panoramic views over the English Channel and passes through some of the most scenic parts of the island, including Tennyson Down.
- Terrain: Predominantly rolling downland, suitable for most levels of fitness.
3. Stenbury Trail
- Length: Approximately 10 miles
- Route: Newport to Ventnor
- Highlights: This inland route takes you through some of the island’s more secluded landscapes, including ancient woodlands and open fields, offering views back towards the coast.
- Tips: A good walk for bird watchers and nature lovers.
4. Bembridge Trail
- Length: Around 11 miles
- Route: Newport to Bembridge
- Highlights: The trail crosses the eastern part of the island, featuring a mixture of countryside and coastal views, ending in the charming village of Bembridge.
- Terrain: A mix of flat and gently undulating paths.
5. Culver Down Walk
- Length: About 3 miles
- Route: Circular walk from Bembridge
- Highlights: Excellent views of the eastern coastline, the chance to visit the Culver Battery historical site, and potential sightings of seabirds and other wildlife.
- Terrain: Mostly gentle with some steep sections.
Walking Tips for the Isle of Wight
- Travel: The Isle of Wight is accessible via ferry from Portsmouth, Southampton, and Lymington, making it easy to reach for a day trip or longer stay.
- Weather: Always check the weather forecast before setting out as conditions can change rapidly.
- Equipment: Wear comfortable walking shoes or boots, and carry a backpack with water, snacks, and a raincoat.
- Maps and Navigation: While the Isle of Wight is well-signposted, having a map or a GPS app on your phone is recommended for longer routes.
- Local Delights: Try some local produce like the Isle of Wight Cheese, and don’t miss out on a traditional cream tea in one of the island’s cozy cafes.
Walking on the Isle of Wight is a perfect way to experience its diverse environments, from coastal paths with dramatic ocean views to peaceful country walks through green fields and woodlands.
Best walks on the Isle of Wight
| Title | Categories | Tags |
|---|
| Isle Of Wight Dino Needle | Isle of Wight, Yarmouth | 5 Mile Walks |
| Tennyson Down-Freshwater Bay Loop From Yarmouth | Isle of Wight, Yarmouth | 13 Mile Walks |
| Isle Of White Needles Hike | Isle of Wight, Yarmouth | 12 Mile Walks |
| Three Forts Walk | Isle of Wight, Yarmouth | 5 Mile Walks |
| Yarmouth to Totland via Needles | Isle of Wight, Yarmouth | 9 Mile Walks |
| Stoney Littleton Long Barrow | Isle of Wight, Wellow | 2 Mile Walks |
| Pyramids | Isle of Wight, Wellow | 5 Mile Walks |
| Ventnor To Godshill via Stenbury Trail | Isle of Wight, Ventnor | 4 Mile Walks |
| Wheelers Bay To Steephill Cove, Circular | Isle of Wight, Ventnor | 2 Mile Walks |
| Hill Climb 1 | Isle of Wight, Ventnor | 7 Mile Walks |
| Totland Bay to Brighstone via Isle of Wight Coastal Path | Isle of Wight, Totland | 13 Mile Walks |
| Tennyson Down-Freshwater Bay Loop From Totland | Isle of Wight, Totland | 8 Mile Walks |
| The Needles-Needles Viewpoint Loop From Totland | Isle of Wight, Totland | 1 Mile Walks |
| Headon Warren | Isle of Wight, Totland | 1 Mile Walks |
| Colwill Bay to Brighstone via Isle of Wight Coastal Path | Isle of Wight, Totland | 13 Mile Walks |
| Isle Of Wight | Isle of Wight, Shanklin | 10 Mile Walks |
| Devils Chimney-The Wishing Seat Loop From Shanklin | Isle of Wight, Shanklin | 9 Mile Walks |
| Shanklin to Bembridge via Isle of Wight Coastal Path | Isle of Wight, Shanklin | 8 Mile Walks |
| Shanklin-Ryde | Isle of Wight, Shanklin | 9 Mile Walks |
| Shanklin To Culver Down | Isle of Wight, Shanklin | 5 Mile Walks |
| Godshill | Isle of Wight, Shanklin | 4 Mile Walks |
| Isle Of Wight 30 Miler | Isle of Wight, Shanklin | 30 Mile Walks |
| Shanklin Walk | Isle of Wight, Shanklin | 2 Mile Walks |
| Shalfleet to Totland Bay via Isle of Wight Coastal Path | Isle of Wight, Shalfleet | 12 Mile Walks |
| IOW Route A Day 2 | Isle of Wight, Sandown | 14 Mile Walks |
| Prospective ToB Stage 5 Sandown TT 22.22km | Isle of Wight, Sandown | 13 Mile Walks |
| Sandown to Ryde via Isle of Wight Coastal Path | Isle of Wight, Sandown | 13 Mile Walks |
| 24 Hour Walk | Isle of Wight, Ryde | 28 Mile Walks |
| Nunwell Trail, Isle Of Wight | Isle of Wight, Sandown | 6 Mile Walks |
| Training 5M 1 | Isle of Wight, Ryde | 5 Mile Walks |
| Ryde To Quarr Abbey | Isle of Wight, Ryde | 2 Mile Walks |
| Ryde And Puckpool Walk | Isle of Wight, Ryde | 4 Mile Walks |
| The Chillerton Challange | Isle of Wight, Roud | 8 Mile Walks |
| The Wilderness Wander | Isle of Wight, Roud | 2 Mile Walks |
| The Ramsdown Ramble | Isle of Wight, Roud | 4 Mile Walks |
| Birchmore And Pagham | Isle of Wight, Rookley | 2 Mile Walks |
| Oakdene To Buddle | Isle of Wight, Rookley | 15 Mile Walks |
| Rookley Area | Isle of Wight, Rookley | 4 Mile Walks |
| Knowles Farm Walk | Isle of Wight, Niton | 2 Mile Walks |
| St Catherine’s Hill Walk | Isle of Wight, Niton | 3 Mile Walks |
| Bierley, Stockbridge, Strathwell, Kingates Ln | Isle of Wight, Niton | 1 Mile Walks |
| Hamstead Salt Marsh | Isle of Wight, Ningwood | 4 Mile Walks |
| Cripple Path Walk | Isle of Wight, Niton | 2 Mile Walks |
| Hoy Monument Walk | Isle of Wight, Niton | 4 Mile Walks |
| The Warrior Trail | Isle of Wight, Mottistone | 4 Mile Walks |
| Chilton Green to Chale via Isle of Wight Coastal Path | Isle of Wight, Mottistone | 6 Mile Walks, Isle of Wight coastal path |
| Compton Downs And Tennyson Trail | Freshwater, Isle of Wight | 7 Mile Walks |
| IOW Route A Day 1 | East Cowes, Isle of Wight | 18 Mile Walks |
| Gurnard To Newtown | Cowes, Isle of Wight | 7 Mile Walks |
| Cowes to Shalfleet via Isle of Wight Coastal Path | Cowes, Isle of Wight | 12 Mile Walks |
| Chale to Shanklin via Isle of Wight Coastal Path | Chale, Isle of Wight | 10 Mile Walks |
| Chale Green via Gotten Manor | Chale Green, Isle of Wight | 2 Mile Walks |
| Chale to Sandown via Isle of Wight Coastal Path | Chale, Isle of Wight | 13 Mile Walks |
| 2015 Jubilee Car Park Walk | Brighstone, Isle of Wight | 4 Mile Walks |
| Brighstone to Chale via Isle of Wight Coastal Path | Brighstone, Isle of Wight | 6 Mile Walks |
| Brading And Adgestone Vineyard | Brading, Isle of Wight | 2 Mile Walks |
| Nunwell House And Adgestone Vineyard | Brading, Isle of Wight | 2 Mile Walks |
| Brading And Adgestone Vineyard | Brading, Isle of Wight | 3 Mile Walks |
| Hoy Monument | Blackgang, Isle of Wight | 2 Mile Walks |
| Bierley Loop To Wydacombe Inc Waterfall | Bierley, Isle of Wight | 1 Mile Walks |
| Straight Line Mission Isle Of Wight | Bembridge, Isle of Wight | 21 Mile Walks |
| Taunton – Appley To Norton Fitzwarren | Appley, Isle of Wight | 14 Mile Walks |
| Kidsgrove to Lostock Gralam Cheshire – 21.1 Mile Circular Walk | Circular Walking Trails, England, Freshwater Bay, Isle of Wight, Yarmouth | 12 Mile Walks |
| Freshwater Bay via Tennyson Down Isle of Wight – 8.4 Mile Circular Walk | Circular Walking Trails, Circular Walks in Isle of Wight, England, Freshwater Bay, Isle of Wight | 8 Mile Walks |
| Brighstone via Westover Down Isle of Wight – 2.4 Mile Circular Walk | Brighstone, Circular Walking Trails, Circular Walks in Isle of Wight, England, Isle of Wight | 3 Mile Walks |
| Brighstone via Tennyson Trail Isle of Wight – 2.8 Mile Circular Walk | Brighstone, Circular Walking Trails, Circular Walks in Isle of Wight, England, Isle of Wight | 3 Mile Walks |
| Brighstone via Shepherds Chine Isle of Wight – 5.6 Mile Circular Walk | Brighstone, Circular Walking Trails, Circular Walks in Isle of Wight, England, Isle of Wight | 6 Mile Walks |
| Wroxall via Wroxall Down and Sandford | Circular Walking Trails, Circular Walks in Isle of Wight, England, Isle of Wight, Shanklin, Wroxall | 8 Mile Walks |
| Brighstone via Brighstone Forest Isle of Wight – 4.9 Mile Circular Walk | Brighstone, Circular Walking Trails, Circular Walks in Isle of Wight, England, Isle of Wight | 5 Mile Walks |
| Rookley Green Isle of Wight – 3.4 Mile Circular Walk | Circular Walking Trails, Circular Walks in Isle of Wight, England, Isle of Wight, Sandown | 6 Mile Walks |
| Colwell Bay via Totland Isle of Wight – 2 Mile Circular Walk | Circular Walking Trails, Circular Walks in Isle of Wight, Colwell Bay, England, Isle of Wight | 2 Mile Walks |
| Niton via Blackgang Chine Isle of Wight – 3.5 Mile Circular Walk | Circular Walking Trails, Circular Walks in Isle of Wight, England, Isle of Wight, Niton, Ventnor | 4 Mile Walks |
| Shanklin via America Wood | Circular Walking Trails, Circular Walks in Isle of Wight, England, Isle of Wight, Sandown | 6 Mile Walks |
| Sandown via America Wood and Sandown Airfield | Circular Walking Trails, Circular Walks in Isle of Wight, England, Isle of Wight, Sandown | 7 Mile Walks |
| Brook via Mottistone Isle of Wight – 5.6 Mile Circular Walk | Brighstone, Circular Walking Trails, Circular Walks in Isle of Wight, England, Isle of Wight | 9 Mile Walks |
| Totland via the Needles and Freshwater Bay Isle of Wight – 8.7 Mile Circular Walk | Circular Walking Trails, Circular Walks in Isle of Wight, England, Freshwater Bay, Isle of Wight, Sandown, Yaverland | 9 Mile Walks |
| Shanklin Isle of Wight – 1.2 Mile Circular Walk | Circular Walking Trails, Circular Walks in Isle of Wight, England, Isle of Wight, Sandown | 6 Mile Walks |
| Bembridge via Brading Marshes Isle of Wight – 9.6 Mile Circular Walk | Bembridge, Circular Walking Trails, Circular Walks in Isle of Wight, England, Isle of Wight, Wroxall | 10 Mile Walks |
| Newchurch via Langbridge and Arreton | Circular Walking Trails, Circular Walks in Isle of Wight, England, Isle of Wight, Newchurch | 7 Mile Walks |
| Alverstone via Langridge | Circular Walking Trails, England, Isle of Wight, Sandown | 6 Mile Walks |
| Niton via St Catherine’s Oratory Isle of Wight – 3.8 Mile Circular Walk | Circular Walking Trails, England, Isle of Wight, Niton, Ventnor | 4 Mile Walks |
| Shalfleet via Newbridge | Circular Walking Trails, England, Isle of Wight, Shanklin, Wroxall | 5 Mile Walks |
| Godshill via Stenbury Down Isle of Wight – 4.6 Mile Circular Walk | Circular Walking Trails, England, Godshill, Isle of Wight | 5 Mile Walks |
| Newchurch via Sandown & Shanklin Isle of Wight – 9.2 Mile Circular Walk | Circular Walking Trails, England, Isle of Wight, Sandown, Shanklin | 9 Mile Walks |
| Bembridge via The Culver Trail Isle of Wight – 5.9 Mile Circular Walk | Bembridge, Circular Walking Trails, England, Isle of Wight, Wroxall | 6 Mile Walks |
| Wroxall Loop Isle of Wight – 4.5 Mile Circular Walk | Circular Walking Trails, England, Isle of Wight, Shanklin, Wroxall | 4 Mile Walks |
| Bembridge via the Yar River Trail Isle of Wight – 4.5 Mile Circular Walk | Bembridge, Circular Walking Trails, England, Isle of Wight, Wroxall | 5 Mile Walks |
| Newchurch via Newchurch Moors Nature Reserve Isle of Wight – 2.4 Mile Circular Walk | Circular Walking Trails, England, Isle of Wight, Newchurch | 3 Mile Walks |
| Ventnor Isle of Wight – 8.4 Mile Circular Walk | Circular Walking Trails, England, Isle of Wight, Ventnor | 8 Mile Walks |
| Niton via Yar River Trail Isle of Wight – 2.9 Mile Circular Walk | Circular Walking Trails, England, Isle of Wight, Ventnor | 3 Mile Walks |
| Shanklin Isle of Wight – 3.8 Mile Circular Walk | Circular Walking Trails, England, Isle of Wight, Shanklin | 4 Mile Walks |
| Shanklin Isle of Wight – 5 Mile Circular Walk | Circular Walking Trails, England, Isle of Wight, Shanklin | 6 Mile Walks |
| Ventnor Isle of Wight – 4.9 Mile Circular Walk | Circular Walking Trails, England, Isle of Wight, Ventnor | 5 Mile Walks |
| Bembridge via Yaverland Isle of Wight – 8.6 Mile Circular Walk | Bembridge, Circular Walking Trails, England, Isle of Wight, Yaverland | 9 Mile Walks |
| Niton via Rocken End Beach Isle of Wight – 1 Mile Circular Walk | Circular Walking Trails, England, Isle of Wight, Niton, Ventnor | 1 Mile Walks |
| Godshill via Luccombe Isle of Wight – 12.2 Mile Circular Walk | Circular Walking Trails, England, Godshill, Isle of Wight, Sandown, Shanklin | 12 Mile Walks |
| Freshwater Bay via Needles Isle of Wight – 6.1 Mile Circular Walk | Circular Walking Trails, England, Freshwater Bay, Isle of Wight | 6 Mile Walks |
| Shanklin Isle of Wight – 5.4 Mile Circular Walk | Circular Walking Trails, England, Isle of Wight, Shanklin | 5 Mile Walks |
| Ventnor via Niton Isle of Wight – 9.1 Mile Circular Walk | Circular Walking Trails, England, Isle of Wight, Ventnor | 9 Mile Walks |
| Shanklin Isle of Wight – 4.6 Mile Circular Walk | Circular Walking Trails, England, Isle of Wight, Shanklin | 5 Mile Walks |
| Yarmouth via The Needles Isle of Wight – 13.1 Mile Circular Walk | Circular Walking Trails, England, Isle of Wight, Yarmouth | 13 Mile Walks |
| Shanklin Isle of Wight – 5.6 Mile Circular Walk | Circular Walking Trails, England, Isle of Wight, Shanklin | 6 Mile Walks |
| Brighstone via Pumpfold Lane Isle of Wight – 2.3 Mile Circular Walk | Brighstone, Circular Walking Trails, England, Isle of Wight | 2 Mile Walks |