Walking

Walkers, Freshwater Bay © IW Tourism

The Isle of Wight is a wonderful place if you like walking in the fresh air. The scenery is magnificent and you can vary your walks as the mood takes you, sometimes on the high ground with wonderful views, sometimes the sea-shore along the sand or amongst the rocks.

Being an Island, whichever way the wind is blowing you can always select a sheltered walk. The Island is covered with public footpaths and longer distance trails.

The UK Countryside Commission has long believed that the rights of way network is the single most important means by which the public can enjoy the countryside and in 1987 the it set the target of having the network legally defined, properly maintained and well publicised by the year 2000.

The Isle of Wight is the first County in the UK to achieve this target by having all footpaths and bridleways fully open, mapped and signposted. With the variety of scenery from wooded glades to high open cliffs, plenty of accommodation and refreshment stops, and the best climate in England, it is the ideal place to walk in UK.