Isle of Wight

Key Facts

• Location: South coast
• Size: 38,000 ha
• Terrain: Coast path; cliff tops
• Access: Ferry
• Height gain: 2171 metres
• Map: OS Explorer OL22; and OS Explorer OL29
• Starting point: Cowes (GR SZ 500 956)
• Accommodation/food:

  There is a huge variety of pitstops and accommodation on the Isle of Wight

• Island Summary:

  Walking the Isle of Wight Coastal Path offers a huge variety of landscapes, beaches, cliffs and views.  The flatter north coast includes inland sections with some superb walking around the creeks of Shalfleet. The south coast has spectacular chalk cliffs, sea stacks, The Needles and deep chines. There are plenty of culture too including thatched villages, traditional seaside resorts and bustling harbours, with great cafes, pubs and places to visit including a fossil forest, Yarmouth Castle, Palmerston forts and Osbourne House, to name a few.

  The walk can be undertaken in 24 hours as part of the Challenge Event or take anywhere between 5-10 days.

• Route description:

  Starting from East Cowes this anti-clockwise walk is described in 6-stages here

• Getting there:

  There are several transport links from the mainland via the hovercraft from Southsea; three vehicle ferry and two catamaran services from Southampton, Lymington and Portsmouth