The Walk: Public access to the Eastern shore of Hayling Island is fragmented. This post describes short walks where access is possible, namely Northney Marina, North Common Nature Reserve, North Hayling, Gutner, Selsmore/Mengeham and Sandy Point Nature Reserve/Black Point.
Map
NB The map shows my GPS track, with various diversions and excursions which you may not wish to follow precisely.
Why do it: Views over Chichester Harbour and its 'arms', with blue water at high tide and mud flats with wading birds at low tide. At low tide, exploring the Wadeway causeway, which used to go the whole way across the mud flats to Langstone, but is now cut by a river channel. (More about the Wadeway in this post.) Nature Reserves at North Common and Sandy Point/Black Point (the latter is a great spot with views across Chichester Harbour mouth to East Head and West Wittering Beach). Sailing activity around the Marinas (Northney, Mengeham and Hayling Island at Black Point).
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Black Point
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Distance: (Round trip) Northney Marina: 1.5 miles, North Common: 1.5 miles; North Hayling: 2.5 miles; Gutner: 1.5 miles; Selsmore/Mengeham: 2.5 Miles; Sandy Point: 3 miles
Logistics: These walks are probably best done as round trips, either as short individual walks, or several at a time, driving between various access points. The map shows suggested parking spots.
Challenges:
If you explore the Wadeway on the Northney Marina walk, only try at low tide, and be aware it is very muddy and it is no longer possible to cross to Langstone.
The path following the shore at Fishcreek holiday village (Selsmore/Mengeham walk) floods at high tide: my route follows an 'inland' alternative.
Refreshments: Salt Shack Cafe in Northney Marina (as a customer, you can park in the Marina, in the public areas, not the members car parks); Northney Farm Tea Room, Drift Hayling Island at Sparkes Marina near Sandy Point,
Nearby Walks
To The West: Hayling Island (West Shore)
To the North: Bedhampton to Emsworth
To The East: West Wittering to Itchenor
Photos
Northney Marina
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| Dirt Layby near Northney Marina |
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| Wadeway (muddy!) |
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| Langstone Bridge |
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| Northney Marina |
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| Path around the shore to marina entrance |
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| Setting sail |
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| At the marina entrance |
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| Path out to the marina entrance |
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| Walking back to layby along shore |
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| Salt marsh |
North Common
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| North Common info board |
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| Marina from North Common |
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| Like a mill pond |
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| Bench, North Common |
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| You can't follow shoreside paths out of the reserve |
North Hayling |
| Path to the shoreside embankment at North Hayling |
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| On the embankment (no access going North) |
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| Shoreside path |
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| More shoreside path |
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| No access to shoreside path going south |
Gutner |
| Path out of inlet |
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| Good surface |
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| Moored rowing boat |
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| Coastal defence |
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| Slipway |
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| Regrettably, the path does not continue around Gutner Point |
Selsmore/Mengeham |
| Flooded coast path at Fishery Creek |
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| Same spot at low tide |
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| Route via holiday park |
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| More flooding on coast path round holiday park |
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| Path round to Mengeham |
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| Brent geese |
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| More path |
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| Mengeham Rythe Sailing Club |
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| Path |
Sandy Point/Black Point
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| Sea front beside Eastoke Beach Car Park |
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| Shingly Beach |
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| Looking across Chichester Harbour mouth |
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| Beach at Black Point |
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