Simon is a TV writer turned travel journalist and photographer who specialises in walking and hiking holidays in the United Kingdom, Europe and beyond. He writes on walking holidays in England for the Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The Daily Mail, among others.
Isle of Wight coastal path
- Distance: 70 miles/113km
- Duration: 4 – 6 days
- Start point: It’s a circuit – but any of the ferry terminals make most sense
- End point: Wherever, it’s a circuit, see above!
- Difficulty: Moderate with a few gentle cliff climbs
- Suitable for: Seascape admirers and those who like a sense of achievement
As a long distance walk, the Isle of Wight coastal path is quite short but it provides an opportunity to walk right round the shoreline of England’s largest island. You might find that on return to the start point there’s great satisfaction in completing an island’s circumference, regardless of the length!
Along the way, the Isle of Wight offers a surprisingly varied sequence of landscapes, including jagged chalk headlands, long sandy bays, salt marshes and estuaries. There are certainly no boring stretches on this route.
Many islanders are keen walkers and many visitors try at least part of the coast trail. This means the local authority keeps the path well maintained and signposted. It also means you are likely to see other walkers at any time, especially round Tennyson Down and the Needles. Nevertheless the round-the-island walk is generally less crowded than mainland coastal trails simply because it’s harder for most people to get there.
At a glance
Destinations
Isle of Wight
Activity
Active, WalkingRelated Guides
