The best coastal walks on the Isle of Wight

Over half of the Isle of Wight is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural beauty, so picture-postcard countryside, tranquil sand dunes, crystal clear waters and breathtaking views are in abundance here – and with a 67-mile waymarked pathway hugging the entire coastline, it’s an idyllic place to explore on foot. There are plenty of great cafés, restaurants, shacks, and pubs to refuel with refreshments too, as well as fascinating history and beautiful wildlife to discover around every corner.

Whether you’re after a short waterfront stroll or a challenging full-day ramble along the clifftops, there are scenic routes for walkers of all ages and abilities on the Isle of Wight. Here are some of the best coastal walks to get you inspired. Walking boots at the ready. 

Brook to Freshwater Bay

Difficulty: Easy to moderate 

Distance: 3 miles

This 3-mile stretch is perhaps one of the Isle of Wight’s most picturesque walks – and is certainly one of the most photographed! It runs from Brook Bay, one of the island's best beaches for finding fossils, along the sandstone cliffs of Hanover Point and Compton Bay, onto the impressive chalk downs, and then down into the delightful cove of Freshwater Bay. Dip your ties or cool off with a swim in the turquoise waters before heading to The Piano Café for a well-deserved coffee and cake. This popular café is charmingly named after its quirky past, when it was one owned by Queen Victoria’s piano tuner and supplier.

Cowes to Yarmouth

Difficulty: Challenging

Distance: 16 miles

Starting in the bustling sailing haven of Cowes, this full-day walk will take you along the dramatic clifftops of the north coast of the island to the historic port town of Yarmouth. If you’re up for the challenge (and have a good level of fitness), your efforts will be rewarded with incredible views of Hampshire and the New Forest. You’ll pass through peaceful woodlands and quaint villages as you go, too. The Sportsman’s Rest in the village of Porchfield is a great stopping point for a pub lunch half way, or if you’d rather indulge in a hearty meal once you get to Yarmouth, there are ample eateries to take your pick from along the seafront.

Mottistone Meander

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 2.8 miles

The Mottistone Meander is a National Trust trail offering exceptional sea views and opportunities to encounter beautiful wildlife in an easy 2.8-mile stroll. Starting at Mottistone Gardens, the route stretches south towards the cliffs at Sudmoor Point with vistas over Compton Bay and St Catherine’s Point. Look out for hares, a variety of birds and, in May and June, the Isle of Wight’s rare Glanville Fritillary butterfly, identifiable by its orange and brown checkered wings. After your walk, you could pop into the gardens to explore the magical pathways through shrubberies and exotic plants, then enjoy a light bite to eat in the garden’s tea rooms.

Sandown to Ryde

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 12.5 miles

For more jaw-dropping ocean views and a decent stretch of the legs, take the coastal path for this moderate 12.5-mile section that starts and finishes at some of the Isle of Wight’s classic seaside promenades. The route sets off from the coastal resort of Sandown before leading you up onto the National Trust-owned Bembridge Fort and Downs, an area where military history meets stunning natural beauty, before meandering through the woodlands near Whitecliff Bay and ending up at the busy port of Ryde. The final half-mile will take you onto the impressive 19th-century Ryde Pier, the second longest pier in the UK.

Appley to Seagrove Bay

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 3 miles

If you’re looking for a relatively flat and gentle walk, try this 3-mile route between Appley in Ryde through to Seagrove Bay near the village of Seaview. From Appley you’ll start by following the ‘Garden Walk’, a well-trodden pathway along the sea wall with lush greenery to your right and sweeping golden sands to your left. It’s worth taking the slight detour from the path to explore the hidden ruins of a Victoria fortification battery along the way, before finishing at the glorious Seagrove Bay. This expansive stretch of sand is one of the island’s lesser-known beaches, so you might want to stay a while and enjoy a peaceful afternoon.

The Warrior Trail

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 6 miles

The Warrior Trail is a new walking and cycling route on the Isle of Wight, created in celebration of the island’s famous First World War story of General Jack Seely and his real-life warhorse named Warrior (not to be confused with the fictional Warhorse tale). The circular trail follows much of the route that Seely once trained Warrior along, taking in both the rolling hills and the magnificent coastline. Like the Mottisone Meander, this route starts at the lovely Mottistone Gardens and journeys up onto the downs. You’ll pass the grand manor of Brook Hill House house too, where Jack Seely used to live, before circling back along the bay.

Yarmouth to Brighstone

Difficulty: Challenging

Distance: 14 miles

The Isle of Wight’s coastal walks don’t get much more spectacular than this lengthy trek from Yarmouth to Brighstone. This challenging route includes the island’s most famous landmark, The Needles – three photogenic chalk stacks that rise dramatically 30 metres out of the sea on the western tip of the island. Beyond The Needles, once you’ve navigated the coastline for 14 miles to the picture-postcard village of Brighstone, you’ll find an array of lovely independent shops, thatched cottages, and quaint tea rooms to rest your tired legs and enjoy some well-earned tasty treats. Brighstone also happens to be home to the largest area of woodland on the island too.

St Catherine’s Point Walk

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 3.5 miles

This moderate coastal trail, otherwise known as the ‘Tip of the Wight walk’, is way down on the Isle of Wight’s most southerly point, St Catherine’s. En route, you’ll traverse grassy tracks, kissing gates, farmland, rugged valleys and cliff paths, as well as pass the island’s only surviving onshore lighthouse and see the place where the inventor of the radiotelegraph system, Guglielmo Marconi, made some of his early transmissions in 1901. You’ll get panoramic views, too, out onto the wild open seas of the English Channel. This trail is stunning but especially remote and continuously eroding – so make sure you’re extra cautious during your hike.

Ventnor to Steephill Cove

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 1 mile

What this walk lacks in length, it certainly makes up for in picturesque scenery. Starting from the splendid Ventnor Botanic Gardens (which you could easily spend several hours exploring in the sunshine), make your way up the slope to Steephill Cove. It’s a short but steep route (hence the name!) but it’s well worth the climb to reach the pretty thatched cottages, joyfully-painted beach huts, and handful of welcoming eateries surrounding the small-but-beautiful beach. It’s an idyllic spot to spend a slow afternoon soaking up the scenery and savouring some local seafood – a mackerel ciabatta and glass of white wine at The Crab Shed, perhaps.

Tennyson Down Trail

Difficulty: Challenging

Distance: 7 miles

The Tennyson Down trail is an invigorating, figure-of-eight shaped walk that takes in fantastic views across to The Needles. The trail is 14 miles in total, but this particular walk is along a shorter, still-challenging, 7-mile section. As well as The Needles, you’ll encounter several landmarks and points of historical interest along the way, including a Cold War rocket test site, a 19th-century fort, and a monument for Victorian poet Lord Alfred Tennyson, who came to live in West Wight in the 1870s – and after whom the trail is romantically named.

Headon Warren

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 4.2 miles

For another hike that has great views of The Needles but is a little less strenuous and more family-friendly than the Tennyson Down Trail, try the Headon Warren Walk. As well as soaking up the views of The Needles, on this 4.2-mile circular journey you’ll stroll along the seafront at Totland Bay, discover a fascinating Bronze Age burial mound, gaze out to the picturesque Alum Bay, and wander along the heathlands of Headon Warren Site of Special Scientific Interest. It’s a wonderful place to look for wildflowers, especially if you’re visiting in autumn when the warren is awash with blooming purple heather.

Brighstone to Niton

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 8 miles

This gorgeous stretch of coastal path on the south of the island runs parallel to the famous Military Road, dubbed one of the best driving roads in the whole of Europe for its spectacularly scenic views. The 8-mile route features several canyon-like gullies, known as ‘chines’ on the Isle of Wight, including the impressive Whale Chine and Blackgang Chine, through which you’ll take a gradual descent and ascent towards the end of the journey. There’s also a family theme park at Blackgang Chine, if you fancy cutting the walk slightly short to spend the afternoon enjoying the rides!

Newtown National Nature Reserve

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 3.6 miles

This gentle 3.6-mile walk explores the estuary at Newtown, the island’s only National Nature Reserve, situated on the Hamstead Heritage Coast in the north west of the isle. The route will take you through the rich and diverse habitats of the estuary, and it’s a fantastic spot for bird watching and wildlife spotting. Look out for colourful butterflies in the wildflower meadows, and birds such as waders, terns, warblers and more in the creeks and marshes. There’s a bird hide at the reserve too, should you fancy sitting for a while with your binoculars. 

The Isle of Wight Walking Festival

Keen walkers should consider visiting the island in spring or autumn during one of the twice-yearly Isle of Wight Walking Festivals. These events are all about bringing together hikers, wanderers, and curious explorers of all ages and backgrounds to explore the wonders of the Wight, and create opportunities for people to meet like-minded outdoor-enthusiasts. There are a great variety of guided walks and tours on offer through the island’s varied landscapes, led by knowledgeable volunteers – with a good mix of distances and terrains to choose from, as well as themed walks for something a little different. The majority of the walks are free too!

Where to stay on the Isle of Wight

If you’re looking for an unforgettable base for your Isle of Wight walking adventures, browse our collection of handpicked hideaways on the island. Choose from a stunning shepherd’s hut with a hot tub, a blissful yurt with glittering ocean views, and several dreamy houseboats on the picturesque harbour of Bembridge.

And if you’d like some inspiration for more things to see and do when you’re not stomping along the coast path, take a look at our Days Out on the Isle of Wight guide.