Would you like to explore the best of the Isle of Wight? This guidebook covers 15 of the best short walks in the area (all under three hours), including The Needles, Carisbrooke Castle, Quarr Abbey and the Tennyson Trail.

Why choose this guidebook?

• Easy to moderate walks suitable for almost everyone
• Short climbs but no challenging terrain
• Numbered points which tie OS maps to clear route description
• Facilities, parking and highlights for every route
• Route Summary Table to help you choose your walk

Cicerone’s Short Walks guidebooks contain everything you need to get outdoors and discover the best of an area. The routes are perfect if you’re new to walking or looking for something you can enjoy with the whole family. Let the adventures begin!

Using this guide
Route summary table
Map key
Introduction
Walking on the Isle of Wight
Where to stay
Getting there and around
The Walks
Walk 1 St Helens village and shoreline

Walk 2 Brading and Nunwell Down

Walk 3 Sandown and Shanklin

Walk 4 Newchurch and the River Yar
Walk 5 Godshill and Freemantle Gate

Walk 6 Ventnor and Bonchurch

Walk 7 Niton Undercliff and St Catherine’s Lighthouse

Walk 8 St Catherine’s Down

Walk 9 Afton Down and Compton Down

Walk 10 Freshwater to Alum Bay

Walk 11 Alum Bay to Colwell

Walk 12 Yarmouth and the Western Yar estuary

Walk 13 Newtown and Newtown Harbour

Walk 14 Newport and Carisbrooke

Walk 15 Ryde to Fishbourne
Useful information

Seasons

The walks are viable all year round, but mud can be an issue after wet weather. Go off-season to maximise tranquility, although the island seldom feels crowded.

Centres

Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin, Ventnor, Freshwater and Yarmouth

Difficulty

The walks are all short and generally easy, suitable for children and pensioners as a rule. There is some ascent on most walks, but never too steep or too long. Wear sensible clothing, especially footwear.

Must See

Famous attractions The Needles, Carisbrooke Castle and Quarr Abbey; popular seaside resorts of Sandown, Shanklin, Ventnor and Ryde; picture-postcard Godshill; magnificent views including the ‘Back of the Wight’ from St Catherine’s Oratory Lighthouse, two coasts from the Tennyson Trail, and Sandown Bay from the top of Brading Down.

We do not yet have any updates available for this book

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