ISLE OF WIGHT COASTAL PATH EXPLORING THE GARDEN ISLE ISLE OF WIGHT COASTAL PATH - SELF GUIDED WALKING SUMMARY HOLIDAY With over half of the island designated as an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty, almost 30 miles of heritage coast and an abundance of sunshine make the Isle of Wight a very appealing and welcoming destination in Britain. Add to this the wonderful 67 mile coastal path circumnavigating the island and you have a walkers paradise just waiting to be explored. Starting in the historic town of Ryde and following the coast in an anti clockwise direction prepare to splendour in the delights the Isle of Wight has to offer. The unspoilt landscape has so much to offer, you can visit the blue flag beaches at Sandown, Shanklin and Ventnor and wander through the charming towns of Cowes and Yarmouth. Escape into the wide open spaces of Tennyson Down, watch the wildlife of the West Wight and Bembridge, and wonder at the natural beauty of the estuaries in the north and the rolling downs running south to the sea. Our Isle of Wight walking holiday features hand-picked overnight accommodation in high quality B&B’s, Tour: Isle of Wight Coast Path country inns, small hotels and guesthouses. Each is unique and offers the highest levels of welcome, Code: WESIWC1-5 atmosphere and outstanding local cuisine. We also include daily door to door baggage transfers, a guide Type: Self-Guided Walking Holiday book and pre-departure information pack as well as emergency support, should you need it. Price: See Website Single Supplement: See Website Dates: All Year HIGHLIGHTS Walking Days: 4 - 7 days Nights: 5—8 nights Start/Finish: Ryde Distance: 67miles (108 km) White cliffs and panoramic views from Tennyson Down Grade: Moderate The colourful variegated cliffs at Alum Bay Stunning, unspoilt coastlines at Shanklin, Sandown and Freshwater Bay Is It For Me? Prehistoric fossils and rock formations If you enjoy wide open spaces, stunning sea views and the sound of waves crashing then the Isle of Wight is for you. Graded from WHY CHOOSE A SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY WITH US? Easy upwards, walking the coast path circuit Macs Adventure is a small, energetic company dedicated to delivering adventure excellence. We are can be enjoyed by everyone. passionate about delivering outstanding walking holidays where every last detail is taken care of. Each holiday we offer is unique, tailor made to meet your requirements. From your first contact with Macs Adventure you will deal with a local specialist who knows the region intimately. What’s Included? Self guided walking holidays are a wonderful relaxed way to discover the magic of the area. Free to travel Accommodation: Hand-picked B&B’s, at your own pace and wander off the beaten track, you will discover the beauty of the landscape, the country inns and guesthouses. Meals: A hearty breakfast is included. warmth of the people and the long history of this spectacular island. We will supply you with a guide book Lunch and dinner are not included but al- and a pre-departure information pack to guide you every step of the way so there is no need for a guide. ways Your baggage will be collected and moved onto your next accommodation so that you are free to walk available at accommodation or nearby. each day with just a daypack. In the unlikely event you should require emergency support our office is Baggage Transfer: Door-to-door baggage transfer. always more than happy to help with your queries. So, from the moment you decide to visit the Isle of Information Pack: We provide you with a Wight you can relax and look forward to an unforgettable self-guided walking holiday. We hope that you guidebook and detailed information pack to will choose to travel with Macs Adventure soon. set you on your way. ISLE OF WIGHT COASTAL PATH EXPLORING THE GARDEN ISLE DETAILED DESCRIPTION Cowes to Yarmouth—16 Miles Brighstone to Shanklin—16 Miles Below you will find a brief description of the This section of the walk is long and heads inland A quick paddle before continuing onto the cliff entire coastal trail broken down into the main around the Newtown river estuary passing cliff path, crossing several Chines (steep gullies) sections of the walk. tops and through small villages and woodland. with superb sea views along this one time smugglers coast. After Whale Chine you see From Cowes follow the promenade, rounding Starting Point: Ryde the quirky 14th century Pepper Pot on Niton Egypt Point, along the sea wall out of town and Down, built as a penance from the Pope for the Ryde is located on the East coast of the Isle of onto the cliff top path to Gurnard Head. Dropping ‘misappropriation’ of wine from a shipwreck. Wight and is serviced by regular transport from into Thorness Bay you have a beach at your Portsmouth (South England). You can catch a disposal. Next you head inland over fields to Traversing above the undercliff to St Lawrence high speed passenger catamaran (Wightlink) Newtown Estuary and Shalfleet Mill. Heading you rejoin the cliff path that takes you to which connects with railway stations at either end back towards the coast you pass Hamstead charming Ventnor. After spending time at in less than 22 mins . Quay before Hamstead Ledge. The path runs Ventnor, its Botanical gardens and strolling along through fields and a copse, finally hitting the cliff the seafront to nearby Bonchurch you ascend Direct mainline train connections run from at Bouldnor and a shingle beach that runs into over Luccombe cliffs, hugging the coastline to Portsmouth to London Waterloo (1.5 - 2 hrs), Yarmouth. Shanklin. Brighton (1.5hrs), Bristol (2.5 hrs) and Southampton (1hr) frequently. Yarmouth to Brighstone—13.5 Miles Shanklin to Ryde—13.5 Miles If you are planning to drive to Portsmouth then A wonderful section of the walk passing This section starts by walking alongside the you can leave your car at the port in the longstay pinnacles of chalk that mark the western end of sandy beaches of Shanklin and Sandown with multi story car park for a charge. the Island—the Needles. This section is now their Victorian promenades. You then Skirt very remote with dramatic coastal views. Culver Cliff, White Cliff and onto Bembridge, You can also catch the superfast hovercraft where wildlife abounds in the wetlands reserve. (Hovertravel) service from Southsea to Ryde in After Yarmouth you pass Fort Victoria before just 10 mins. reaching Colwell Bay, followed by Totland Bay. After Bembridge Harbour the path returns to the You climb gradually to Healdon Hill and then coastline and meanders up through the villages Ryde itself boasts wide beaches with shallow descent to Alum Bay, where a refreshment break of St Helens and Seaview before finally returning waters and a beautiful Victorian Pier. Ryde is the will be well earned. to Ryde. gateway to the Island, a busy seaside town full of life. Next you ascend the white cliffs towards the Departing Ryde iconic Needles - a slight detour takes you to a Ryde to Cowes—8 Miles scenic viewpoint. Back on the trail, you are now Additional nights in Ryde or indeed other places on the island are highly recommended. With the Leaving Ryde you pass the church at Binstead, walking along the edge of Tennyson Down. The extensive network of paths and bridleways that where since Norman times there has been a views here are magnificent and time should be cross the island you have opportunities to place of worship. Strolling through woodland you taken to savour every minute. Freshwater Bay discover more of the countryside. reach the ruins of the original Quarr Abbey and its quiet beach follows as you head along the before the latest incarnation a little further along coast following many smaller bays until you You can leave Ryde the same way you came the trail. Crossing Wootton Creek you enter reach the turn off for Brighstone village. and connect on to Rail or Bus links which serve Wootton and minor roads take you into small the UK, nearby airports or cities. From copses and onto Osborn house which is worthy Portsmouth, where you will disembark your ferry, of a slight diversion. After East Cowes, you London is only 2 hours away by train. cross the floating bridge and into the historic town of Cowes. ISLE OF WIGHT COASTAL PATH EXPLORING THE GARDEN ISLE Below are all the itineraries we offer on the Walking Direction Coastal Path ITINERARY: WESIWC3 Description: This itinerary fits nicely into a Our itineraries follow an anti-clockwise direction, ITINERARY: WESIWC1 weeks holiday. One long day at the start of the as this is the preferred route for baggage transfer week followed by some gentler walking gives you services. Description: Whilst terrain and ascent are the opportunity to explore the surrounding areas. never too taxing, daily distances on this itinerary Additional Nights and Extensions suit experienced walkers. Walking Days: 6 Many of our clients choose to add extra nights Nights: 7 Walking Days: 4 along the walk to sample more of the wonderful Average Daily Distance: 11 miles Nights: 5 walking and attractions available on the island. Grade: Easy to Moderate Average Daily Distance: 17 miles Yarmouth, Freshwater Bay, Chale, Ventnor and Sandown are great choices for extra days as Grade: Moderate to Strenuous Day Route Miles these pleasant and uncrowded villages and Day Route Miles towns often feature additional day walks, wildlife 1 Arrive Ryde opportunities or great beaches that can easily 2 Walk to Cowes 8 1 Arrive Ryde 3 Walk to Yarmouth 16 soak up a day! 2 Walk to Shalfleet 17 4 Walk to Freshwater Bay 8 Ryde and Cowes can offer attractive 3 Walk to Freshwater Bay 16 5 Walk to Chale 11 4 Walk to Ventnor 17 6 Walk to Sandown 12 extensions and you shouldn’t forget Newport in 5 Walk to Ryde 17 7 Walk to Ryde 12 the centre of the Island – ideal for additional day 6 Onward Travel 8 Onward Travel walks and visiting the historic and imposing Carisbrooke Castle.