Isle of Wight Coastal Path

Isle of Wight Coastal Path

A circular walking holiday circumnavigating the spectacular Isle of Wight.

3 to 8 nights
33-71 miles
Moderate to Demanding / Strenuous

From £365 per person

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About the trail

We offer full-route and short break walking options along the Isle of Wight Coastal Path. The variety of coastal scenery on this stunning walking holiday spans towering white cliffs, the spectacular chalk stacks of ‘The Needles', the multi-coloured sands of Alum Bay and many more sights of natural beauty. There are plenty of wonderful settlements to explore, including thatched villages, lively seaside resorts and bustling harbours.

Other features of interest include a fossil forest, Yarmouth Castle, Palmerston-era forts and Osbourne House, among many others. By circumnavigating the entire island, the Isle of Wight Coastal Path successfully showcases everything this fabulous region has to offer. It's a stunning section of the England Coast Path.

We offer multiple holiday options along this trail. If you wish to experience the entire trail, simply select the first option from the list below.

Choose your route

  • Isle of Wight Coastal Path
  • Isle of Wight Short Break

About this route

5 to 8 nights
71 miles
Moderate to Demanding / Strenuous
2nd January to 24th December

From £625 per person

Isle of Wight Coastal Path

The Isle of Wight Coastal Path walking holiday covers 71 miles as it circumnavigates the Isle of Wight. There are 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 which guarantee a warm welcome to walkers.

Available tours

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
IOW1 A circular trail beginning at Cowes 5 nights, 4 days walking Demanding / Strenuous £625
IOW2 A circular trail beginning at Cowes 6 nights, 5 days walking Demanding £745
IOW3 A circular trail beginning at Cowes 7 nights, 6 days walking Moderate / Demanding £855
IOW4 A circular trail beginning at Cowes 8 nights, 7 days walking Moderate £970

Short breaks

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
IOWSB1 From Yarmouth(L) to Shanklin 3 nights, 2 days walking Demanding £365
IOWSB2 From Yarmouth(L) to Shanklin 4 nights, 3 days walking Moderate £485
"Coastal Erosion on Bembridge B" by Diane Moss (2024) "Coastal Erosion on Bembridge B" by Diane Moss (2024)
"Leaving Freshwater Bay" by Diane Moss (2024) "Leaving Freshwater Bay" by Diane Moss (2024)
"Wooden Sculpture in Fort Victoria Country Park" by Diane Moss (2024) "Wooden Sculpture in Fort Victoria Country Park" by Diane Moss (2024)
"Looking back to Tennyson Down from the Chines" by Diane Moss (2024) "Looking back to Tennyson Down from the Chines" by Diane Moss (2024)
"Which Way Next?" by Diane Moss (2024) "Which Way Next?" by Diane Moss (2024)
"Cooling our Feet" by John and Maalfrid Grimstvedt (2022) "Cooling our Feet" by John and Maalfrid Grimstvedt (2022)
"Heading down to the Beach in Colwell Bay" by John and Maalfrid Grimstvedt (2022) "Heading down to the Beach in Colwell Bay" by John and Maalfrid Grimstvedt (2022)
"I Met a Man" by John and Maalfrid Grimstvedt (2022) "I Met a Man" by John and Maalfrid Grimstvedt (2022)
"On the Path along Hamstead Heritage Coast" by John and Maalfrid Grimstvedt (2022) "On the Path along Hamstead Heritage Coast" by John and Maalfrid Grimstvedt (2022)
"Enjoying Breakfast" by John and Maalfrid Grimstvedt (2022) "Enjoying Breakfast" by John and Maalfrid Grimstvedt (2022)
"Yarmouth Pier" by Karen Freeman (2022) "Yarmouth Pier" by Karen Freeman (2022)
"The Mermaid and the Stag, Freshwater Bay" by Tracey Horton (2022) "The Mermaid and the Stag, Freshwater Bay" by Tracey Horton (2022)
"Tennyson Monument" by Tracey Horton (2022) "Tennyson Monument" by Tracey Horton (2022)
"The First Climb of the Day after Sandown" by David Keogh (2021) "The First Climb of the Day after Sandown" by David Keogh (2021)
"Gate Art after Freshwater Bay" by David Keogh (2021) "Gate Art after Freshwater Bay" by David Keogh (2021)
"Atherfield Bay" by Paul Copsey (2021) "Atherfield Bay" by Paul Copsey (2021)
"Freshwater Bay" by David Law (2019) "Freshwater Bay" by David Law (2019)
"Whitecliff Bay" by Bob Parkinson (2018) "Whitecliff Bay" by Bob Parkinson (2018)
"Walking on Tennyson Down" by Bob Parkinson (2018) "Walking on Tennyson Down" by Bob Parkinson (2018)
"The Needles" by Bob Parkinson (2018) "The Needles" by Bob Parkinson (2018)
"Bembridge Harbour" by Bob Parkinson (2018) "Bembridge Harbour" by Bob Parkinson (2018)
"Descending near Woody Point" by Bob Parkinson (2018) "Descending near Woody Point" by Bob Parkinson (2018)
"Eroded Cliffs beyond Barnes High" by Bob Parkinson (2018) "Eroded Cliffs beyond Barnes High" by Bob Parkinson (2018)
"Red Sandstone Cliffs" by Lucy Coward (2018) "Red Sandstone Cliffs" by Lucy Coward (2018)
"Brightstone Bay" by Lucy Coward (2018) "Brightstone Bay" by Lucy Coward (2018)
"Old Battery and the Needles" by Christopher Talbot-Ponsonby (2017) "Old Battery and the Needles" by Christopher Talbot-Ponsonby (2017)
"St. Catherines Lighthouse" by Christopher Talbot-Ponsonby (2017) "St. Catherines Lighthouse" by Christopher Talbot-Ponsonby (2017)
"Ventnor Sea Wall" by Christopher Talbot-Ponsonby (2017) "Ventnor Sea Wall" by Christopher Talbot-Ponsonby (2017)
"Looking back to Freshwater Bay" by David Conway (2017) "Looking back to Freshwater Bay" by David Conway (2017)
"Always Use the Gate" by David Conway (2017) "Always Use the Gate" by David Conway (2017)
"Freshwater Bay" by David Conway (2017) "Freshwater Bay" by David Conway (2017)
"Leaving Sandown" by David Conway (2017) "Leaving Sandown" by David Conway (2017)
"Deckchairs at Shanklin" by Pauline Ellington (2017) "Deckchairs at Shanklin" by Pauline Ellington (2017)
"Hamstead Point" by Pauline Ellington (2017) "Hamstead Point" by Pauline Ellington (2017)
"Heading Towards Brightstone Bay" by Pauline Ellington (2017) "Heading Towards Brightstone Bay" by Pauline Ellington (2017)
"Beach Huts at Ventnor" by Pauline Ellington (2017) "Beach Huts at Ventnor" by Pauline Ellington (2017)
"St. Catherines Head Lighthouse" by Royston Skucek (2017) "St. Catherines Head Lighthouse" by Royston Skucek (2017)
"Bembridge" by Laurence Levine (2017) "Bembridge" by Laurence Levine (2017)
"Alum Bay" by Laurence Levine (2017) "Alum Bay" by Laurence Levine (2017)
"Freshwater Bay" by Laurence Levine (2017) "Freshwater Bay" by Laurence Levine (2017)

Customer reviews from the Isle of Wight Coastal Path

“Overall an enjoyable walk. Ne’er been disappointed. Always spot on. Luggage transfers didn’t miss a beat.”
Mr Collings, UK
“Isle of Wight was a bit of an unknown to us. But lots of interest, good scenery, not too many steep bits; even with lockdown / Covid remnants.”
Mrs Crompton, UK
“All arrangements were perfect. Route was well signposted.”
Mrs Sheetz, USA
“Had a great time really enjoyed it. Thanks Contours for a great holiday.”
Mr Raynor, UK
“Very enjoyable walk well organised and everything went to plan. Great walk lovely walks and views. Well organised. Fair price.”
Mr Hodds, UK
“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
“Good directions and accommodations (weather was great as well).”
Mr Connors, USA
“We had excellent weather all week. Really warm to be so late in the year. The people we met were very friendly, both in our accommodations and along the walk.”
Mrs Grimstvedt, Norway
“All in all we had a wonderful holiday and I recommend the Isle of Wight to anyone looking for a coastal walk with slight differences.”
Mrs Boon, UK
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