Hayling Island (West Shore)

The Walk: Two walks, together covering the whole Western (Langstone Harbour) side of Hayling Island, visiting the old Oyster Beds, and staying on the foreshore as much as possible (low tide needed) round to the Ketch inlet, rounding the Langstone Harbour entrance on the beach, and walking nearly a mile out to sea on the East Winner sandbank (falling low tide only!)

Map

NB The map shows my GPS track, with various diversions and excursions which you may not wish to follow precisely.

Why do it: The old Oyster Beds are a haven for birdlife (such as terns in the summer). The Hayling Billy railway line took oysters to London and holiday makers to the beach front, and now serves as a path close to the Harbour for walkers, cyclists and horse riders (My route takes to the shore where possible, but the Hayling Billy Trail provides an escape route, or a return route). The foreshore offers blue water at high tide, and a rocky foreshore with wading birds at low tide, as well as a long sand and shingle beach on the southern seashore, including the remarkable East Winner sandbank extending a mile or so out to sea. There are views Westwards over Langstone Harbour to Portsmouth.

Distance: Red walk: 4 miles one way; Blue walk: 9 miles

Logistics: There are 2 walks as shown on the map, which cover most of the accessible shore:

Red walk: Explores the West shore, but rather than using the Hayling Billy, veers off to explore the Oyster Beds and the foreshore down to the northern fringes of West Town. Start in the free Hayling Billy car park on the right just after crossing the bridge. Finish at the Brights Lane bus stop and get the bus (31) back to the start (or walk back along the Hayling Billy Trail)
Blue walk: a circular starting from the West Beach car park (charge), and proceeding clockwise along the beach to the Ferry Boat Inn, with an excursion out along the East Winner sandbank (NB falling low tide only, risk of stranding by a rising tide), then taking to the foreshore around to where Walk 1 left off, and returning over Hayling golf course.

Challenges: The walks must be done around low tide to allow walking the whole way on the foreshore. The section on the southern shore of Langstone Harbour does not have a formal right of way on land, and comprises private gardens in part, so the only way to walk it is on the beach below the high water mark. The foreshore is muddy, rocky and quite weed-covered, so may be slippery, and there may be rivulet channels to cross.Expect mud on the inland paths in winter.

The East Winner sandbank will be covered rapidly on a rising tide, so should only be attempted when the tide is falling to its lowest point - always allow enough time to return back to shore.

Refreshments: The Ship Inn at Langstone on the north side of the road bridge over to Hayling Island. The Ferryboat Inn at Langstone Harbour mouth, next to the Hayling-Eastney ferry landing stage. Cafe and Pub at the West Beach car park.

Nearby Walks

To the North: Bedhampton to Emsworth

To the West: Eastney to Hilsea

To The East: East shore of Hayling Island

Photos

Walk 1 Red Route