Walking / Cycling
The 67 miles of well-maintained coastal paths is a fantastic way of seeing the broad variety of coastal scenery around the island. Coupled with over 500 miles of public footpaths across fields, forests and woodland, the Isle of Wight’s varied countryside and coastal paths make it the ideal place for a walking holiday.
The island is also renowned amongst cyclists, being cited as one of the top 10 destinations in the world for cycling (Lonely Planet Travel Guide). The Lonely Planet talks of the ‘lush velvet hills rolling in to the sea, narrow lanes through tidy hedgerows, deep and mysterious gullies and the Isle of Wight’s most striking feature, the ridge of white chalk cliffs stretching across its breadth”.
For family cycling, don’t miss the Red Squirrel Trail, 23 miles of car-free cycling on mainly flat, gentle routes. Most of this trail is based on cycle paths that were created from disused railway lines from the Victorians. Buses on the “hop on, hop off” Island Coaster service have the capacity to carry bikes.