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The Isle of Wight is one of the nicest places I’ve ever been for walking. Full of gorgeous rolling English countryside and lots of easily accessible walking paths, there are numerous options for walks of various lengths. For the really adventurous, you can even walk the complete way round the island on the Coastal Path, though this takes 4-7 days depending on fitness.

One of the things we really noticed as visitors were that a lot of the walks suggested were one way, but given we were accessing the start point by car they weren’t always helpful as you’d end up somewhere and have to walk all the way back again. We therefore discovered and planned circular walks, and the below are some of the best on the island (for first time visitors like me!).

1. The Coastal Path
2. Beach Explorer
3. St Catherin’s Oratory and Wydcombe
4. Queen Victoria’s Trail
5. Heart of the Countryside

The Coastal Path

Route & Distance: Freshwater Bay – Tennyson Down – The Needles – Alum Bay – Freshwater Bay (7 miles, mainly flat)

Full write up of the walk can be found HERE.

Walking route can be found HERE.

The Coastal Path runs the whole way around the island, spanning over 70 miles (110km). You could walk the whole thing, and to be honest you won’t find a ‘bad’ section of the route – the whole way round expect stunning cliff drops and sea views.

However, if you’re visiting the island as a tourist, I think the best section is to walk from Freshwater Bay across Tennyson Down and to The Needles and Alum Bay to take in some of the main sites of the island on your walk. You can then cross back across The Downs for spectacular views all the way across to mainland England and back to your start point.

The full walk took us about 5 hours, which included lots of photo stops for the views, The Needles and Alum Bay with a picnic lunch – and was a great way to spend a day on the island combining walking with sight seeing.

Beach Explorer

Route & Distance: Shanklin – Ventnor – Steephill Cove – Ventnor Down – Shanklin Down – Shanklin (10 miles, mostly flat)

Walking route can be found HERE

This route takes in some of the island’s best beaches (though don’t expect golden sand – they are mostly shingle on the Isle of Wight). The route starts in Shanklin, where you can begin by exploring Shanklin Chine – a narrow, deep ravine with a waterfall and winding paths. From Shanklin Chine follow the Coastal Path to Ventnor and the first of the beaches on the route.

Ventnor itself is a little run down, but the beach is nice with lovely sea views. From Ventnor detour a little from the traditional circular route and follow the coastal path just a little further to Steephill Cove, one of the island’s hidden gems. Here is the perfect spot for lunch in a secluded fishing bay (and a little relax on the quiet beach if you feel like it!).

Then it’s time to head back on to the route, across Ventnor Down and Shanklin Down until you arrive back at Shanklin. This time head to Shanklin beach, your final stop of the day for fish and chips by the sea.

St Catherin’s Oratory and Wydcombe

Route & Distance: Blackgang viewpoint – The Hoy Monument – Wydcombe – St Catherine’s Oratory – Blackgang viewpoint (5 miles, including steep ascents)

Walking route can be found HERE

The walk starts at Blackgang viewpoint overlooking the beautiful sea and cliffs, then there is a steep ascent to St Catherine’s Down for spectacular (very windy) views across the island. The route then takes in the Hoy Monument before winding downwards to Wydcombe and through beautiful woodland. From the valley the ascent back upwards begins (it does feel like a pretty steep ascent, especially at the end), until you reach the spectacular St Catherine’s Oratory and from there head back to the car park.

Queen Victoria’s Trail

Route & Distance: Osborne House – Osborne Beach – East Cowes – Cowes – Osborne House (5 miles, mainly flat)

Take in another of the main visitor attractions on the Isle of Wight, Osborne House. This was Queen Victoria’s summer home, and start with a tour of the house before heading out for walk around the beautiful gardens (don’t miss the walled gardens). From there, take a woodland stroll down to Osborne Beach where you can grab a piece of cake and a tea.

From Osborne Beach head back up to the entrance of Osborne House and head in to East Cowes and to the floating bridge (boat) across to Cowes. Cowes is the maritime centre of the island – explore the shops, take a walk on Cowes sea front and take in some of the museums the town has to offer. Then head back on the ferry to your starting point at Osborne House.

Heart of the Countryside

Route & Distance: Godshill – Sanham Wood – Freemantle Gate – Appuldurcombe House – Worsley Trail – Godshill (6 miles, mainly flat)

Walk route can be found HERE

Starting in the pretty village of Godshill, visit the beautiful thatched cottages near the church, explore the model village and have lunch in a traditional English pub before embarking on a walk for the afternoon.

From Godshill, follow the winding footpaths in to Sanham Wood and out through to Freemantle Gate, the once grand entrance to Appuldurcombe House. On arrival at Appuldurcombe, detour from the route to actually explore the house’s grounds – once one of the most grand houses on the island, it’s since fallen in to ruins and is now a shell of its former glory making for a quirky place to visit. Once finished at the house, loop back towards Godshill, this time following the Worsley Trail for more glorious views out across the island’s rolling hills and fields.

Thanks so much for reading! There is so much to explore on the Isle of Wight and I hope this guide can help you if you decide to explore on foot. All of these walks were beautiful and I’m so glad to have had a week on the island to enjoy them all. Stay safe and happy travelling.