Isle of Wight Coast Path

A self-guided walking holiday beginning at Ryde and circumnavigating the Isle of Wight.

5 to 8 nights
70 miles
Moderate to Demanding / Strenuous

From £430 per person

Discover the available tours

About this route

The full Isle of Wight Coast Path walking holiday takes a 70-mile route around the entire island coastline. There is plenty of interesting sites to discover along the trail, including both natural wonders and historic landmarks. The Isle of Wight also boasts plenty of thriving settlements, all of whom guarantee a warm welcome to walkers.

Standard
Interactive
Isle of Wight Coast Path map
Circular trail beginning at Ryde
70 miles (112 km)
2nd January to 24th December

Holiday Highlights

Exploring the varied terrain, from high chalk cliffs, fossil rich coves and quiet estuaries to The Needles near Alum Bay.

Admiring the expansive views near Sandown and the cliffs of Culver Down, with rich bird and plant life.

Spotting the many species of wildlife along the coastline, including the Glanville fritillary butterfly, not found anywhere else in Britain.

Available tours

CodeTourDurationDifficultyPrice per person
IOW1 A circular trail beginning at Ryde 5 nights, 4 days walking Demanding / Strenuous£430
IOW2 A circular trail beginning at Ryde 6 nights, 5 days walking Demanding£515
IOW3 A circular trail beginning at Ryde 7 nights, 6 days walking Moderate / Demanding£600
IOW4 A circular trail beginning at Ryde 8 nights, 7 days walking Moderate£685

Isle of Wight Coast Path 5 nights, 4 days walking

£NNN per person
  • Itinerary
  • What's included?
  • Extra nights?
  • Tour facts
  • Route profile
  • Travel info
  • Weather
Start

Travel to Ryde where your first night's accommodation has been booked

Day 1

Ryde to Shalfleet. 17 miles (27km)

Day 2

Shalfleet to Freshwater Bay. 16.5 miles (26.5km)

Day 3

Freshwater Bay to Ventnor. 18.5 miles (29.5km)

Day 4

Ventnor to Ryde. 18 miles (29km)

Finish

Depart from Ryde after breakfast

Your Itinerary

This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this tour. Sometimes there may be a shortage of available accommodation in a preferred location, in which case we will transfer you from the trail to your accommodation and back again at no extra charge. Overnight stops marked with a (T) will always require transfers as standard.

The daily mileages quoted are average trail miles only and do not include the distance from the trail to your accommodation. We do not expect you to have to walk more than a mile from the trail to your accommodation; should your accommodation be further than this, transfers will be provided as standard.

Below are the additional costs that may apply depending on your requirements. Dog friendly tours are subject to a Daily Dog Charge, which will be listed below if applicable. Our standard prices per person are based upon two people sharing a room; if you are walking on your own, or are part of a group but require a room of your own, then the Solo Walker or Single Supplements apply respectively:

A note about transfers
Solo Walker Supplement
£35.00 per person / per night
Single Supplement
£25.00 per person / per night

You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:

Extra night (Standard)
£50.00 per person / per night

What's included?

  • 5 nights accommodation in en-suite rooms (where available) in selected B&B’s, hotels, inns and guesthouses along the trail, or a short distance away via taxi provided at our expense.
  • Breakfast each day.
  • Door to door luggage transfer.
  • Maps with the route marked on and a guidebook or route notes describing the trail.
  • An information pack containing an itinerary, instructions on how to find your accommodation each night and a kit list.
  • Detailed travel instructions on how to get to the start of your holiday and back from the end of it.

Extra Nights & Rest Days

An extra night gives you the perfect opportunity to spend some more time exploring the sights and sounds of the Isle of Wight.

Shalfleet is a charming little village and is a good base for exploring the delightful countryside of the interior of the island. It is also a good location for visiting Newport, the capital of the Isle of Wight.

On the outskirts of the town stands the magnificent medieval hilltop fortress of Carisbrooke Castle, where Charles I was imprisoned prior to his execution in London. As well as a fascinating museum, the castle boasts a 16th century well-house, where donkeys still trudge inside a huge treadmill to raise a barrel 160ft up the well shaft. A walk around the battlements provides stunning views over the island and lofty perspectives of the castle's interior.

If you would like to take advantage of some of the finest beaches in the south of England, spend time fossil-hunting or explore the Botanical Gardens where 22 landscaped acres of subtropical plants flourish, consider the attractive seaside town of Ventnor for a rest day.

You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:

Extra night (Standard)
£50.00 per person / per night

Tour Facts

Total distance: 70 miles (112 km)
Duration: 5 nights, 4 days walking
Minimum daily distance: 16.5 miles (26.5 km)
Maximum daily distance: 18.5 miles (29.5 km)
Code: IOW1 Grade: Demanding / Strenuous
Season: 2nd January - 24th December
Start of holiday: Ryde
End of holiday: Ryde

Route Profile

Isle of Wight Coast Path Route Profile

Travel Information

Detailed instructions on how to get to the start of the holiday and back from the end, are sent with your full holiday pack. A summary is given below:

By Air - The most convenient major city and international airports are Southampton and Bournemouth.

By Rail - There is a choice of rail stations at Portsmouth - Portsmouth & Southsea or Portsmouth Harbour.

By Bus - Various bus services run to and from Portsmouth.

From London - Trains run from London Waterloo station to Portsmouth Harbour. From there a ferry will be required to Ryde.

By Ferry - Ferrys run between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight (locations of which depend on whether you travel as a passenger or via car). To avoid disappointment, we advise that you book in advance.

Return To The Start - The Isle of Wight Coast Path is a circular trail beginning and ending at Ryde.

Weather Information

To find out more about the weather forecast for your chosen holiday's general location, please see the following websites:

  • MetCheck - This website allows you to look up detailed weather information for specific locations as far as six months in advance.
  • Met Office - This website shows regional area forecasts a few days in advance, with a general UK forecast description of up to 30 days in advance.
  • Mountain Forecast - This website shows what the forecast is like up on specific hills and fells, and offers forecasts a few days in advance.

Routes on this trail

Isle of Wight Short Break

3 to 4 nights
31 miles
Moderate+
Dog friendly
From £275 per person
A short walking holiday from Yarmouth to Shanklin along the Isle of Wight Coast Path.Find Out More
Explore more holidays on the Isle of Wight Coast Path trail

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Customer reviews from the Isle of Wight Coast Path

“Very well organised – it all worked exactly as expected.”
Mrs Thompson, UK
“First time to the Isle of Wight for some of us. Varied walking, nothing too strenuous, lovely countryside and views for much of the way. Generally excellent accommodation.”
Mr Parkinson, UK
“The logistics were organised well.”
Mr Cramer, Netherlands
“Enjoyed our walk immensely. Very impressed with Contours Walking Holidays!”
Ms Scott-Worthington, UK
“It was a wonderful walk that combined gorgeous and rugged landscape with some gentler sections. Enjoyable historic and cultural features including Osborne House. Well organised, all went according to plan.”
Mr Hill, UK
“All arrangements were perfect. Route was well signposted.”
Mrs Sheetz, USA
“We were blessed with fantastic weather, so we really saw the Isle of Wight at its best. All our transitions went smoothly and without a hitch. Thank you! Our information pack is always very informative and has every piece of information we need. The B&Bs are expecting us, our bags are there on arrival, and we always feel welcome and recognised as part of Contours.”
Mrs Ellington, UK
“Isle of Wight Coastal Path is a good way of visiting/viewing the island.”
Mr Handley, UK

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