IoW: Shanklin to Blackgang

The walk: From Shanklin Station, this walk follows the coastal path to Blackgang Chine. ('Coastal' is something of a misnomer, since there are a number of inland diversions due to there being no public access, or due to landslips.)

Map

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

Why do it: Seaside promenades at Shanklin and (slightly more refined) Ventnor. Quasi-tropical undercliff 'forest'. Cliff scenery and views (where the coastal path actually follows the coast). St Catherine's Point and Lighthouse. I saw a dolphin pod off the coast. Ride the Island Rail underground trains and the open topped Coaster bus.

Distance: 13.5 miles

Logistics: I parked next to the Hovercraft terminal at Southsea (charge), and took the Hovercraft from Southsea (0930) to Ryde (0944), then got the train from Ryde Esplanade station (0947) to Shanklin (1010) . (It's a tight connection at Ryde: hurry over the footbridge to the Esplanade station, and get straight on the train - they sell tickets on board.) From Blackgang Chine, I got the late afternoon Island Coaster (around 1710) back to Shanklin station (1810), for the train (1814) back to Ryde (1839), then Hovercraft (1915) back to Southsea (1930). (The Island Coaster bus runs in the summer only.)

Challenges:

Timing is quite tight if you want to do this walk as a day trip from the mainland. Timings given under 'Logistics' are indicative only, and should be checked online for the latest info.

Normally, there should be no problem getting on the Hovercraft, except during big events like the Isle of Wight festival, or a busy summer weekend, when advance booking might be wise. The alternative is the Catamaran from Portsmouth Harbour Station pier to Ryde Pierhead, from which trains run hourly. The Hovercraft might be cancelled if the weather is very stormy.

The coastal path has inland diversions due to landslips in Shanklin Chine, around Luccombe and at St Lawrence. The latter requires a steep climb to the inland 'ridge', where the path is lined with hedgerows which obscure the view seaward.

At Niton I made a diversion back to the coast to visit St Catherine's Point: well worth it, but it does mean another very steep climb back up to the inland ridge/cliff.

Blackgang Chine theme park was just closing when I arrived there at about 1630: a strange smell - rather like damp clay - and dinosaur sound effects - will accompany your wait for the bus. (You could wait for the bus up at the Blackgang Viewpoint, rather than descend to the Chine.)

Refreshments: Cafes etc in Shanklin and Ventnor (for example, the Spyglass Inn at the end of Ventnor seafront). Also, at Steephill Cove. The Beach cafe on the way from Niton down to St Catherine's Point is well situated overlooking the sea at Castlehaven. (Some of these establishments are quite upmarket and busy, so don't expect a quick cheap snack.) There are no refreshments at Blackgang Chine outside the paywall, though you can buy cans of drink etc at the reception.

Nearby Walks

Here is a link to all my IOW Coastal Path walks.

To the West: Blackgang to Freshwater Bay

To the East: Lake to Ryde

Photos