Isle of Wight Coast Path – 6 nights / 5 days walking

About this trail

This trail circumnavigates the entire Isle of Wight coastline and takes in many of the finest spots on the island. Though our itinerary starts in Cowes, it can be started from any of the three ports of entry: Cowes, Ryde or Yarmouth.

Walking clockwise, you head east from Cowes, crossing the Medina River via the floating bridge to East Cowes and heading briefly inland to pass Osborne House, countryside home of Queen Victoria. Continuing onwards to the Victorian seaside town of Ryde you strike out along the sandy expanse of Ryde beach before reaching charming Seaview. Your route then takes you south towards Bembridge with its sheltered harbour and quirky houseboats and then up onto the bracing Culver Down and the most easterly point of your walk. Descending Culver, the seaside towns of Sandown with its pier and Shanklin come into view.

Your journey continues to the south of the island through a more verdant and wooded landscape. Passing through the hillside town of Ventnor you ascend for some pleasant, easy-going cliff walking. From here the island becomes quieter and less populated and, in the distance, beyond Tennyson Down the first views of the Island’s iconic landmark – The Needles – start to appear, marking the most westerly point of the Island. From The Needles your journey heads north and then north east, along the shoreline of the Solent. You pass through the pretty port of Yarmouth before heading on to Newtown Creek a wide-open area of tidal estuaries and a haven for birdlife. From there you return to Cowes and the starting point of your journey.

Terrain and navigation

The Isle of Wight Coast Path is well signposted and the terrain is generally easy-going. The route largely comprises footpaths across fields or open cliff tops,  with some lengthy paved sections on the east and north coast as it follows the coast through the towns of Shanklin, Sandown and Ryde. The southern side takes you along the cliffs with occasional steep but short descents to sea level.  Some of the most enjoyable walking can be had at low tide when routes along the beach become possible, in particular on the Bembridge headland. It’s worth noting that much of the ground underfoot is comprised of clay, so be prepared for mud after heavy rain.

Highest point: 162 metres
Total ascent / descent: 1785 metres / 1785 metres

Route elevation

Included as standard in the price

The price quoted is per person and is based on two people sharing a room. It includes:

• Carefully selected, en-suite bed and breakfast accommodation*
• Daily luggage transfers to your accommodation**
• All the necessary maps and guidebooks for your walk
• Route notes and maps detailing how to find your B&B at the end of each day
• The cost of any transfers that are required from the route to your accommodation if we are unable to book you into a B&B within easy walking distance of the trail
• Information about any special facilities offered by your hosts (eg hot tub or licensed bar)
• Suggestions and contact details for places for an evening meal each day
• Telephone support if required
• Advice from our team on travel to and from the start and end of the trail.

*En-suite is always chosen unless all options are booked out, in which case private bathrooms are sought. Customers are always consulted about non-en-suite options before details are finalised.

**Standard package includes one piece of baggage per walker, up to a maximum weight of 20kg. Additional bags can be transferred but incur an additional cost. Please enquire if you need this service.

Packed lunches and evening meals

The cost of these is not included in our standard package. All the accommodation providers we use offer packed lunches to keep you well fed during your walk. Payment is made directly to your hosts. Similarly, if you have an evening meal either at your accommodation or another local establishment, you pay them directly for it.

Optional extras that can be provided by Discovery Travel

Discovery Travel specialises in providing completely tailor-made services to our clients. This means that if our standard published itineraries do not suit our customers’ needs, we are always happy to discuss ways in which we can adjust accommodation, shorten or lengthen itineraries and distances to make for the perfect trip.

We also offer the following services to make for a seamless holiday:

• Transport to and from the start and finish of a trail
• Airport transfers
• Minibus and driver service, in particular for large groups where multiple accommodations are required each night and transfers are frequently required at the end of the day’s walk

If you are interested in any of the above or have any particular requirements, please do contact us to discuss your needs.

Make more of your break

If you would like to pause during your walk and explore one of the overnight locations for longer, you are free to select and add extra days to your holiday at any of your overnight stops. Prices for extra days are quoted above and will be added to the total cost of the holiday. If the itineraries on our website do not quite meet your requirements please do get in touch to arrange a bespoke trip.

Below are some suggestions for good places to spend an extra day or so.

Cowes

Home to the world-famous Cowes Week sailing regatta, Cowes is a boating paradise. A charming town with plenty of places to dine and shops to visit Cowes makes a great place to spend an extra day during your walking holiday.

Shanklin

Spend a day on the sands of this seaside resort on the east coast or hop onto a bus for a 15 minute journey to Ventnor. This quirky town on a slope has unique independent shops and eateries as well as its own annual festival hosted by the Ventnor Exchange – which combines a bar, record shop and community space. Just out of town you will find the Ventnor Botanic Gardens – evidence of the town’s micro-climate!

Yarmouth

Yarmouth has some of the oldest buildings on the Isle of Wight including a 16th century castle. In summer, it’s a bustling little harbour and port of entry to and from the island. It has good independent shops, cafes and restaurants, and is a great spot from which to do some local walks or to hire a bike and explore the surrounding countryside.

When to go

The weather in the UK can vary hugely so be prepared for all weathers whatever time of the year. April, May and June are when everything comes to life so it is very green, wild flowers are abundant and blossom abounds. July and August tend to be the warmest months, but it is rarely so warm as to be uncomfortable for walking. September is one of the most pleasant times in the countryside and is quieter as most people with children have finished their holidays. By October the days are getting shorter and the weather can be much more changeable.

Getting to and from the trail

By Ferry: You can reach the Isle of Wight at three convenient points on the route – Cowes (from Southampton), Yarmouth (from Lymington) and Ryde (from Portsmouth. The service to Cowes (Red Funnel) and Ryde (Wightlink) is by foot only.

By Rail: There is a mainline train station at Portsmouth which connect directly with the FastCat to Ryde. From Southampton rail station you will need to take a shuttle bus to the foot ferry which is included in the price of your ticket. For train times and fares visit National Rail Enquiries.

By Bus: The Isle of Wight is well-served by a regular bus service run by Southern Vectis.

Got a question about travel? If you need any advice about travel to and from your walk please get in touch with Discovery Travel and we will be happy to help.