The Isle of Wight contains some of the finest countryside walking in the whole of the UK, with much to offer whatever your ability. The island's concentration of diverse landscapes, historical sites, Victorian seaside resorts and sleepy villages in an area measuring only 13 miles (21km) by 23 miles (37km) at its widest point means that although distances are large enough to provide a challenge, even short routes never lack variety. This manageable scale combined with a good infrastructure of footpaths and bridleways - not to mention the island's enviable sunshine record - make it a rambler's paradise. These walks have been specially devised to take advantage of the island's most outstanding scenery and amenities. This book contains 32 walks of varying standard comprising Ten of the Best Island Walks, The Official Trails, The Coastal Path, the Vectis 8 Trail and 12 Short Walks, plus useful addresses and index.
Introduction Chapter 1: Ten of the Best Island Walks 1. Exploring South-West Wight - St Catherine's Point to Godshill via the Coast and Downs 2. Newport, Cowes and the River Medina 3. From Shorwell Village to Freshwater Bay 4. A Circular Hike around Shanklin 5. Exploring North-East Wight - from Wootton to Brading 6. Shanklin to Brading via Culver Cliff and Bembridge 7. Coast to Coast from Ryde to Shanklin 8. Cross-country from Carisbrooke to Shanklin 9. A Circuit of Wight's Westernmost Tip - The Ancient Isle of Freshwater 10. A Circular Hike from Whale Chine on the Island's West Coast Chapter 2: The Official Trails 11. The Freshwater Way 12. The Nunwell Trail 13. The Hamstead Trail 14. The Shepherds Trail 15. The Stenbury Trail 16. The Bembridge Trail 17. The Tennyson Trail 18. The Worsley Trail Chapter 3: The Coastal Path 19. The Coastal Path Chapter 4: The Vectis 8 Trail 20. The Vectis 8 Trail Chapter 5: Short Walks 21. Carisbrooke Castle and the Bowcombe Valley 22. Exploring around Godshill 23. Exploring around Newtown 24. Exploring around Calbourne 25. Exploring around Brading 26. Shorwell and Limerstone Down 27. Arreton and Haseley Manors and Arreton Down 28. Exploring around St Helens 29. Yarmouth and Fort Victoria 30. Tennyson Down and The Needles 31. Blackgang and St Catherine's Hill 32. Havenstreet Station and Firestone Copse Useful Addresses Index
Martin Collins is a freelance author, photo- journalist and cartographer, as well as a regular contributor to the UK outdoor media. First walking the GR5 in 1981 kindled a passion for the French Alps that remains as strong as ever. He has since written over twenty books for walkers embracing the coast, mountains and countryside of the UK and parts of Europe. He has three children, and lives in north Wales on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park.