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Walk the Isle of Wight

Walk the Isle of Wight

Walking around the Isle of Wight Coastal Path is a fantastic way to experience the natural beauty and rich history of this stunning island off the southern coast of England. The trail is approximately 70 miles long and can be completed in 4 to 7 days, depending on your pace and level of fitness.

The Isle of Wight Coastal Path starts and ends in Cowes, and follows a mixture of paths, tracks, and quiet country lanes, hugging the coastline and providing stunning views of the sea, cliffs, and countryside. The trail takes hikers through a variety of landscapes, including sandy beaches, chalk cliffs, heathland, and forests, and passes through several charming seaside towns and villages.

Along the way, hikers can explore several historic landmarks, including Osborne House, the former holiday home of Queen Victoria, and Carisbrooke Castle, an 11th-century fortress that played a key role in the island’s history. The trail also offers opportunities to see a variety of wildlife, including seabirds, dolphins, and seals.

Accommodation options along the trail are varied, with a range of campsites, B&Bs, and hotels available in the nearby towns and villages. There are also plenty of pubs and cafes along the way, providing opportunities for refreshments and rest.

Overall, walking around the Isle of Wight Coastal Path is a wonderful way to experience the natural beauty and rich history of this stunning island, and is suitable for hikers of all levels of experience and fitness.

Cotswold Map

Map - Isle of Wight Coastal Path
Map – Isle of Wight Coastal Path

Cotswold Interactive Map

4 Day Walking Itinerary

Day 2Cowes to Yarmouth1626
Day 3Yarmouth to Chale2235
Day 4Chale to Bembridge1626
Day 5Bembridge to Cowes1626

5 Day Walking Itinerary

Day 2Cowes to Yarmouth1626
Day 3Yarmouth to Brighstone then transfer to Shanklin1524
Day 4Transfer back to Brightsone then walk to Shanklin1626
Day 5Shanklin to Seaview1219
Day 6Seaview to Cowes1118

7 Day Walking Itinerary

Cowes to Yarmouth1626
Day 3Yarmouth to Freshwater Bay1118
Day 4Freshwater Bay to Chale1118
Day 5Chale to Sandown1118
Day 6Sandown to Seaview1016
Day 7Seaview to Cowes1118

8 Day Walking Itinerary

Day 2Cowes to Shalfleet then transfer back to Cowes914
Day 3Transfer back to Shalfleet then walk to Totland1118
Day 4Totland to Freshwater Bay711
Day 5Freshwater Bay to Chale1118
Day 6Chale to Shanklin914
Day 7Shanklin to Seaview1219
Day 8Seaview to Cowes1118

Cotswolds Public Transport

  • Rail. Bath, Stroud, Cheltenham, Moreton-in-Marsh and Evesham are on the Great Western main lines from London Paddington, and Statford-upon-Avon has a service to Birmingham. The Birmingham to Bristol line runs parallel to the Way with stations at Ashchurch, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Cam and Dursley.
  • Coaches serve Bath, Cheltenham and Broadway, and pass within 5km/3 miles of Chipping Campden.
  • Bus. There are bus services to numerous points along the Way including Cold Ashton, Tormarton, Hawkesbury Upton, Wotton-under-Edge, Dursley, King’s Stanley, Painswick, Birdup, Leckhampton, Cleeve Hill, Winchcombe, Wood Stanway, Broadway and Chipping Campden (buses to Cheltenham, not Sundays). Few of these services run on Sundays.

OS Maps Required for Cotswold Way

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