7 of the best walks on the Isle of Wight

Pack your boots and head to the Isle of Wight if you love walking; the island may be small, but it’s well-equipped for a walking holiday with myriad trails winding through the coast and countryside. 

From refreshing strolls along the seafront to invigorating hikes through forests, across rolling downland and along riverbanks, we have compiled a guide to 7 of the best walks on the Isle of Wight. Whatever your preference, the Isle of Wight has some exceptional trails and byways to explore on your staycation. 

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• Parkhurst Forest
• Medina Estuary Trail
• Sandown to Shanklin
• Chillerton Down
• Niton to Brighstone
• Tennyson Down Circular
• Newtown Creek

Parkhurst Forest

For those who love to forest bathe

One of our favourite Isle of Wight forest walks, Parkhurst Forest can be found in the centre of the island near Newport. Home to an array of birds and wildlife, its location is a little off the beaten track, yet it’s worth seeking out. There are numerous walking trails to follow through ancient woodland and heathland, including a special route where you might spot the famous Isle of Wight red squirrels. Keep your eyes peeled for the log cabin hide, designed with a high roof to allow you to look up into the treetops and observe these nimble creatures. 

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Medina Estuary Trail

Wonderful for wildlife spotting

Tracing both sides of the River Medina, this is another of the best walks on the Isle of Wight for lovers of nature. The tidal waters, saltmarsh and mudflats are home to myriad rare plants and are important nesting and feeding sites for birds, including little egrets, swans, oystercatchers, curlews, black-tailed godwits, grey herons and redshank. The circular trail incorporates a crossing on the new floating bridge, which connects Cowes to East Cowes, and also passes through beautiful woodland where you might have another chance of spotting red squirrels.

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Sandown to Shanklin

The easiest seaside walk on the island

Walk along the eastern shoreline from Sandown to Shanklin at your leisure; it’s flat, paved and utterly pleasant. Sandown is a bucket-and-spade hot spot and is one of the best beaches on the Isle of Wight for young families. The esplanade runs uninterrupted for the 2.5 miles between the Yaverland end of Sandown Bay to Shanklin Chine. You are never far away from a seaside café or a bench to stop and rest, and the esplanade is largely traffic-free and safe for a slow and steady amble, It's one of the best walks on the Isle of Wight for those with children or dogs. 

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Chillerton Down

For those who fancy a challenge

Venture through the centre of the island on this undulating rural walk, which takes you off the beaten path and across Chillerton Down. If you’re looking for woodland walks on the Isle of Wight, there are some lovely sections of forest en route, as well as winding pathways across fields and valleys, via the tiny communities of Gatcombe and Chillerton. From the summit of Chillerton Down, you are rewarded with mesmerising views over Chale Bay, the cliffs at Sandown, and Cowes. There is a shortcut you can take if this trek sounds a bit too strenuous, which reduces the length to 4.5 miles.

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Niton to Brighstone

Best for a wild trek

With the Isle of Wight being relatively small, you could mistakenly presume that there are no truly remote spots on the island. Well, the whole coast from Freshwater Bay to Blackgang Chine is relatively unpopulated and wild, and is protected ex-military land. The coastal path from Niton to Brighstone offers an 8-mile section of this spectacular landscape, through chalk grasslands, cliffs and gullies. It runs parallel to one of the best roads to drive in Europe, the Military Road, known for its dramatic sunsets. Along the way, look out for iconic Isle of Wight heritage sites like the Pepper Pot and St Catherine’s Oratory, which are the remains of a medieval lighthouse and beacon on St Catherine’s Hill.

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Tennyson Down Circular

For unforgettable cliff-top views

This circular Isle of Wight walk near Freshwater was created to commemorate the former poet laureate, Alfred Lord Tennyson. When he was alive, he had a fondness for walking on the downs and you won’t have any trouble in seeing why. The trail takes in jaw-dropping views across the English Channel, and towards the iconic chalk stacks known as The Needles. Nature abounds here and you can enjoy sightings of rare orchids and butterflies along the way. Other places of historic interest include the fascinating Napoleonic fortresses of the Old and New Batteries and the distinctive Tennyson Memorial Cross. 

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Newtown Creek

Popular with bird watchers

One of the best Isle of Wight circular walks for those with a love of wildlife, this gentle stroll meanders through the varied habitats of the island’s only National Nature Reserve. As you wander among saltmarsh, mudflats, wildflower meadows and woodland, you can look out for visiting birds, waders and waterfowl, as well as summer orchids, butterflies and red squirrels. Bird hides are peppered throughout the reserve where you can get a closer glimpse of the wildlife, especially during the cooler months when flocks of birds migrate here.

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Map of start points for all of our Isle of Wight walks

Planning a holiday on the Isle of Wight?

If you are hoping to visit the Isle of Wight sometime soon, why not stay at one of our self-catering holiday properties? From chic coastal cottages to relaxing rural hideaways, we have the perfect staycation waiting for you to discover. 

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