Guidebook to 21-day walks on the Isle of Wight, suitable for all abilities, plus a long-distance Coastal Path route. Discover this beautiful, relaxed island off England’s south coast, with a variety of walking terrain: dramatic coast paths, rolling downland, marshes, woods, forests and sites of historical interest. Coastal routes can be enjoyed year-round, while inland walks are best between spring and autumn.

The graded day walks range from 8–30km (5–19 miles) and take between 2 and 8 hours to complete. The Coastal Path is a longer, more challenging route that circumnavigates the island in an anti-clockwise direction. It’s divided into eight stages, though stronger walkers may prefer to complete it over five, six or seven stages. The full route covers 125km (78 miles).

• 1:50,000 OS maps included for each walk
• Easy access from Newport, Cowes and Shanklin
• Includes refreshment and public transport options for all walks
• Local points of interest include The Needles, Osborne House and Carisbrooke Castle
• GPX files available to download

Map key 
Route summary tables 
Stage facilities planner 
Overview profile/staging options

Introduction 
Geography and landscape 
A potted history 
Modern society 
Principal locations 
Wildlife 
When to go 
Getting to the island 
Getting around 
Accommodation 
What to take 
Safety 
The countryside 
Walking in groups 
Walking with children 
Using this guide 

COASTAL PATH 
Stage 1 Cowes to Shalfleet 
Stage 2 Shalfleet to Yarmouth 
Stage 3 Yarmouth to Alum Bay 
Stage 4 Alum Bay to Brook 
Stage 5 Brook to Ventnor 
Stage 6 Ventnor to Sandown 
Stage 7 Sandown to Ryde 
Stage 8 Ryde to East Cowes 

WEST WIGHT 
Walk 1 Newport and Shorwell figure of eight 
Walk 2 Shorwell to Whitwell 
Walk 3 Brighstone circular 
Walk 4 Brighstone to Yarmouth 
Walk 5 Yarmouth circular 
Walk 6 Freshwater circular 
Walk 7 Shalfleet and Newtown circular 
Walk 8 Shalfleet to Newport 
Walk 9 Tennyson Trail 

EAST WIGHT 
Walk 10 Shanklin circular via Nettlecombe 
Walk 11 Shanklin circular via America Wood 
Walk 12 Niton circular (the two lighthouses walk) 
Walk 13 Ashey and Newchurch circular 
Walk 14 Ryde to Ventnor 
Walk 15 Brading and St Helens circular 
Walk 16 Wootton Bridge circular 
Walk 17 Wootton Station to Newport 
Walk 18 Bembridge Trail 
Walk 19 Worsley Trail 
Walk 20 Arreton to Brading 
Walk 21 Godshill to Ventnor 

Appendix A  Accommodation listings 
Appendix B  Useful contacts 

Seasons

The Isle of Wight enjoys a more temperate climate than the mainland. Late spring to autumn is ideal for inland walks, while the Coastal Path is well suited to winter, offering wild and dramatic scenery. Some inland routes can be very muddy during the winter months.

Centres

Sandown, Shanklin, Ventnor, Godshill, Ryde, Yarmouth, Newport

Difficulty

Walks are graded from ‘easy’ to ‘moderate–strenuous’. Routes marked ‘easy’ can be enjoyed by children at the discretion of parents, but the guide is best suited to adults with at least average fitness. No special equipment is required for any of the walks.

Must See

The Isle of Wight boasts a magnificent and varied Coastal Path with constant outstanding views. Highlights include St Catherine’s Lighthouse, fossil-rich Compton Bay, and red squirrels in ancient woodlands. Explore honey-pot villages with cosy pubs, the historic Carisbrooke Castle, and the unique microclimate of Ventnor. Discover under-explored gems like the peaceful Newtown Harbour. Over half the island is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and was home to poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Walkers can follow the Tennyson Trail (Walk 9) to experience the landscapes that inspired his work.

July 2025

Coast path diversions

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