Total distance:
65 miles (104km)
Duration: 7 nights, 6 days walking
Minimum/maximum daily distances: 8 miles (13km)/15 miles (24km)
Waymarking: The trail is very clearly waymarked and is very easy to follow.
Season: All year
Starting point of holiday: Ryde
End of holiday: Ryde
Code: IOW3
Day 1: Travel to Ryde, where your first nights accommodation has been booked.
Day 2: Ryde to Cowes. 8 miles (13km).
Day 3: Cowes to Yarmouth. 15 miles (24km).
Day 4: Yarmouth to Freshwater Bay. 8 miles (13km).
Day 5: Freshwater Bay to Chale. 11 miles (17.5km).
Day 6: Chale to Sandown. 11 ½ miles (18km).
Day 7: Sandown to Ryde. 11 ½ miles (18km).
Day 8: Depart from Ryde after breakfast.
For centuries Cowes has been associated with sailing craft and boat building and along its busy High Street you'll find shops reflecting the towns heritage, with boatyards, chandlers and Beckens's famous yachting gallery. Yarmouth is another good choice for a rest day. It is a delightful village port with narrow lanes, stone quays, a timber pier and historic castle. If you would like to take enjoy some of the finest beaches in the south of England, consider having a rest day in Freshwater Bay or Sandown.
Detailed instructions on how to get to the start of the holiday and back from the end of it are sent to you on booking. A summary is given below.
Most convenient major city and International airports: London.
Outward journey from London to Ryde: Train from London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour (1 ½ hours), then Wightlink ferry to Ryde (crossing time 15 minutes).
Return journey to London at the end of the holiday: Ferry from Ryde to Portsmouth Harbour, then train to London Waterloo.
Travelling by car: There is a choice of three crossings to the island: Wightlink ferry from Lymington to Yarmouth (crossing time 30 minutes), Wightlink ferry from Portsmouth to Fishbourne (crossing time 35 minutes) or Red Funnel ferry from Southampton to Cowes (crossing time 55 minutes).