Isle of Wight Coastal Path Map and Itinerary

Below you will find a brief description of the entire coastal trail broken down into the main sections of the walk.

Starting Point: Ryde

Ryde is located on the East coast of the Isle of Wight and is serviced by regular transport from Portsmouth (South England). You can catch a high speed passenger catamaran (Wightlink) which connects with railway stations at either end in less than 22 mins .

Direct mainline train connections run from Portsmouth to London Waterloo (1.5 - 2 hrs), Brighton (1.5hrs), Bristol (2.5 hrs) and Southampton (1hr) frequently. If you are planning to drive to Portsmouth then you can leave your car at the port in the longstay multi story car park for a charge. You can also catch the superfast hovercraft (Hovertravel) service from Southsea to Ryde in just 10 mins. 

Ryde itself boasts wide beaches with shallow waters and a beautiful Victorian Pier. Ryde is the gateway to the Island, a busy seaside town full of life.

Ryde to Cowes—8 Miles

Leaving Ryde you pass the church at Binstead, where since Norman times there has been a place of worship. Strolling through woodland you reach the ruins of the original Quarr Abbey before the latest incarnation a little further along the trail. Crossing Wootton Creek you enter Wootton and minor roads take you into small copses and onto Osborn house which is worthy of a slight diversion. After East Cowes, you cross the floating bridge and into the historic town of Cowes.

Cowes to Yarmouth—16 Miles

This section of the walk is long and heads inland around the Newtown river estuary passing cliff tops and through small villages and woodland. From Cowes follow the promenade, rounding Egypt Point, along the sea wall out of town and onto the cliff top path to Gurnard Head. Dropping into Thorness Bay you have a beach at your disposal. Next you head inland over fields to Newtown Estuary and Shalfleet Mill. Heading back towards the coast you pass Hamstead Quay before Hamstead Ledge. The path runs through fields and a copse, finally hitting the cliff at Bouldnor and a shingle beach that runs into Yarmouth.

Yarmouth to Brighstone—13.5 Miles

A wonderful section of the walk passing pinnacles of chalk that mark the western end of the Island—the Needles. This section is now remote with dramatic coastal views After Yarmouth you pass Fort Victoria before reaching Colwell Bay, followed by Totland Bay. You climb gradually to Healdon Hill and then descent to Alum Bay, where a refreshment break will be well earned. Next you ascend the white cliffs towards the iconic Needles - a slight detour takes you to a scenic viewpoint. Back on the trail, you are now walking along the edge of Tennyson Down. The views here are magnificent and time should be taken to savour every minute. Freshwater Bay and its quiet beach follows as you head along the coast following many smaller bays until you reach the turn off for Brighstone village.

Brighstone to Shanklin—16 Miles

A quick paddle before continuing onto the cliff path, crossing several Chines (steep gullies) with superb sea views along this one time smugglers coast. After Whale Chine you see the quirky 14th century Pepper Pot on Niton Down, built as a penance from the Pope for the ‘misappropriation’ of wine from a shipwreck. Traversing above the undercliff to St Lawrence you rejoin the cliff path that takes you to charming Ventnor. After spending time at Ventnor, its Botanical gardens and strolling along the seafront to nearby Bonchurch you ascend over Luccombe cliffs, hugging the coastline to Shanklin.

Shanklin to Ryde—13.5 Miles

This section starts by walking alongside the sandy beaches of Shanklin and Sandown with their Victorian promenades. You then Skirt Culver Cliff, White Cliff and onto Bembridge, where wildlife abounds in the wetlands reserve. After Bembridge Harbour the path returns to the coastline and meanders up through the villages of St Helens and Seaview before finally returning to Ryde.

Additional nights in Ryde or indeed other places on the island are highly recommended. With the extensive network of paths and bridleways that cross the island you have opportunities to discover more of the countryside.

You can leave Ryde the same way you came and connect on to Rail or Bus links which serve the UK, nearby airports or cities. From Portsmouth, where you will disembark your ferry, London is only 2 hours away by train.

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