The Isle of Wight is a walker’s paradise. Whether you’re out for a family stroll, a jaunt down to the beach, or a stride out over the Isle of Wight coastal path, the Island provides some of England’s best walking country. With over half the Island designated an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, you simply can’t go wrong!
There are over 500 miles of designated footpath on the Isle of Wight. Walks include beautiful meanders over chalk downs, clifftop hikes with stunning views, winding lanes through historic villages, trails through forests and wetlands, or simple paths taking you pub-to-pub through the countryside! Whichever path you choose to tread, you’ll be amazed by the ever-changing views.
Walking is not only good for the body, it’s also good for the soul. Combined with the undeniable benefits of spending time outdoors in beautiful places, you absolutely cannot beat a good walk on the Isle of Wight.
The Isle of Wight Coastal Path
The Isle of Wight coastal walks stretch over 64 miles of glorious footpaths, which give walkers access to some of the most incredible natural sights the UK has to offer. Some stretches are gentle rambles over flower-strewn chalk downs and soft, sandy dunes. Others are more challenging clifftop hikes, offering panoramic views over the Island and the sea. For those who fancy an Isle of Wight walking challenge, it is possible to walk around the Isle of Wight in just a few days. Alternatively, you could simply go for a quick potter by the shore, or blow the cobwebs away with a clifftop stroll.
The Isle of Wight Walking Festival
Each May, the Island hosts a world-famous walking festival. During the festival, plenty of guided walks are on offer, as well as walking challenges, group rambles, group dog walks, and lots of events for children. It’s a friendly and convivial event, which gives people the chance to experience the best of the Island’s areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Isle of Wight Walking Routes
If you like your walks with an added cultural element, there are plenty of specially designated trails on the Island. These will guide you through some of the most important historic and natural sites.
Here are a few to get you going:
- The Warrior Trail: This circular route follows in the hoof-steps of one of the Isle of Wight’s most distinguished military heroes: ‘Warrior’ the War Horse. Warrior served in the First World War. This lovely trail follows his training and exercise routes on his Island home.
- The Tennyson Trail: Victorian poet laureate Alfred Lord Tennyson famously got much of his inspiration from long Isle of Wight walks. The Tennyson Trail is a challenging but fascinating walk, following the routes most favoured by the esteemed poet. Sights to see along the way include Carisbrooke Castle and the Needles Battery.
- The Dinosaur Experience Walk: The Isle of Wight is rich in dinosaur fossils, and remains one of the world’s most important paleontological sites. This walk will take you through some of the most fossil-laden rock formations and beaches on the Island. Who knows? You may even find your own Jurassic souvenir!
- Of course, there are also many more informal Isle of Wight walks, as well as lots of operators running guided walking tours of all varieties. And wherever you go, you’re never far from a welcoming country pub, teashop, or restaurant, where you can refuel and recharge
Take a look at the National Trusts website – great walks to download!