Downloadable walks on the Isle of Wight

Next time you're looking for a walk with a difference, try one of our walks on the Isle of Wight. Choose from the list below and print them to take along with you. As well as a map and full directions, our trails include snippets of information about local history, nature or wildlife. If your walk takes you past one of our historic places, don’t forget to call in.

Two walkers stride out along the harbour wall at Newtown with water on both sides
Newtown National Nature Reserve and Old Town Hall   Isle of Wight

Enjoy the estuary... Newtown walk

Take a gentle stroll through the varied habitats of the Island’s only National Nature Reserve, and visit a Town Hall with a colourful past.

Enjoy the tranquility of the Nature Reserve
Always an exciting moment when the Needles come into view
The Needles Headland and Tennyson Down   Isle of Wight

Points of view: Headon Warren walk

Head on up Headon Warren for a breathtaking walk with splendid views of the mainland and a Bronze Age burial mound.

Follow our coastal trail
Two walkers setting out along the Needles headland
The Needles Headland and Tennyson Down   Isle of Wight

Tennyson Down: a meander with Maud

An invigorating downland walk, with a splendid view of the iconic Needles plus a 19th-century fort, Cold War rocket test site and a monument to a Victorian poet laureate. And along the way, you can re-fuel with a bite to eat in the Needles Old Battery tea-room.

Take an invigorating hike in the footsteps of Tennyson
A common blue butterfly rests on top of a yellow bird's foot trefoil wildflower.
Compton Bay and Downs   Isle of Wight

Paradise on the Isle of Wight butterfly walk

Walk the chalk ridge running through the middle of the Isle of Wight and spot wonderful butterflies on one of our best bits of chalk downland, including Adonis blue, small blue, dark-green fritillary and Glanville fritillary.

Explore the Compton Downs
The footpath sign ahead beckons to the chalk cliffs of Freshwater Bay
Compton Bay and Downs   Isle of Wight

ABC of the downs walk on the Isle of Wight

Have a go at our walk taking in Afton, Brook and Compton Downs. It could take you right back to the Ice Age, and you might even be lucky enough to spot a dinosaur footcast near Hanover Point.

Walk our trail
The trees have been bent by the wind, but all is calm today looking down to Dunsbury Farm
Compton Bay and Downs   Isle of Wight

Discover Dunsbury trail

Come with us to discover the Dunsbury area, one of our latest acquisitions. Admire the views, and understand our vision.

Come and see what we've bought
An inviting track leads from the lane towards the Long Stone at Mottistone
Mottistone Gardens and Estate   Isle of Wight

Mottistone meander: climb to the common

A meandering walk up to the Common with excellent views over the sea and a visit to a mysterious ancient monument.

Walk the trail
Sandy cliffs are crumble towards the sea shore on the south of the Isle of Wight
Mottistone Gardens and Estate   Isle of Wight

Mottistone meander: south to the sea

Enjoy an easy walk through delightfully farmed countryside on your way to the coastal cliffs of Sudmoor Point.

Walk our trail
Lots of walkers and lots of yachts passing the southern tip of the Isle of Wight
St Catherine's Down and Knowles Farm   Isle of Wight

Shedding light on the tip of the Wight walk

Walk our moderately challenging route to the most southerly point of the Isle of Wight, taking in the Island's only surviving onshore lighthouse as you go.

Walk our route
Sheep enjoy the pasture high up on Chillerton Down on the Isle of Wight
Chillerton Down   Isle of Wight

Up for the challenge of a Chillerton Down walk?

This walk takes you off the beaten track in the middle of the Island – through woods and valleys, and across the downs with distant sea glimpses to enjoy.

Take on the challenge for yourself
A group of walkers pass below the beeches in Borthwood Copse
Borthwood Copse   Isle of Wight

See a red squirrel at Borthwood Copse walk

This short atmospheric walk in a secluded part of the Island takes you through woods that are home to an Isle of Wight speciality: the red squirrel.

Spot the secretive inhabitants of Borthwood
The ancient beacon site on Culver Down is used again, for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee
Bembridge Fort and Downs   Isle of Wight

Fine Fortifications trail

This short wheelchair-friendly fairly level walk with spectacular views will give you a fascinating insight into the Isle of Wight’s role in wartime defence and intelligence.

Learn and enjoy
Blue sea and a ribbon of sand around Sandown Bay as seen from the cliffs of Culver
Bembridge Fort and Downs   Isle of Wight

Circumnavigate Culver trail

This short but energetic coastal walk, with spectacular views and interesting wildlife, will give you a fascinating insight into the Isle of Wight’s role in wartime defence and intelligence.

Energetic walk with spectacular views
The bulk of Bembridge Down, topped by the nobbly Bembridge Fort, is viewed from beneath the sails of Bembridge Windmill
Bembridge Fort and Downs   Isle of Wight

Bembridge and Culver Downs marshes trail

An invigorating walk over the downs and RSPB Brading Marshes reserve, with splendid views of the coast and countryside and the opportunity to visit the Island’s only surviving windmill.

Managing the marsh and defending the down walking trail
A grassy path entices the walker onto St Helens Duver
St Helens Duver   Isle of Wight

Links and ledges walk, discover the Duver

Explore the Duver on this moderately challenging coastal walk taking in the seashore and a picturesque village.

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Lots of people enjoying the sunshine on St Helens Duver
St Helens Duver   Isle of Wight

Down on the Duver

Enjoy a short but varied coastal walk exploring St Helens Duver, a sandy spit of land on the eastern tip of the Island, rich in wildlife and history.

Admire our coastal wildlife
A ranger-led walk over Luccombe-down through the purple heather
Ventnor Downs   Isle of Wight

Ventnor Downs: pre-history to Cold War walk

From Bronze Age burial barrows to secretive Cold War underground nuclear operations, this short but challenging walk will take you down an interesting historical path.

Walk our trail
Two dog walkers sit on the grass on Ventnor Downs and take in the wide views
Ventnor Downs   Isle of Wight

Down South: views of Ventnor walk

Challenge yourself to this short but particularly steep walk and be rewarded with far-reaching views over the Downs and beyond.

Walk our trail
Three walkers on Luccombe Down with fine views over Sandown Bay
Ventnor Downs   Isle of Wight

Down south: Luccombe and the Landslip walk

Admire autumn colours of heather and bracken on this invigorating walk in the south of the Island, with splendid far-reaching views to Culver Down in the east.

Time: 2 hours
Distance: 4.5 miles (7.2 km)

Enjoy the dramatic views