IoW: Lake to Ryde

The walk: From Lake Station (between Sandown and Shanklin), this walk goes along Sandown seafront then takes the coastal path around Culver Down headland and down to Whitecliff Bay.

It is then possible at low tide to walk virtually all the way on the beaches to Ryde (Whitecliff, Black Rock, Bembridge, St Helens, Priory, Seagrove, Seaview and Ryde). At high tide, the official coastal path must be followed: I haven't done that, but it seems to go some way from the sea, through trees much of the time, and to have suffered from 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: Sandown seaside promenade. White cliffs of Culver and viewpoint. The satisfaction of scrambling around rocky headlands between beaches, as well as walking the beaches themselves. The villages on this stretch of coast make a pleasant contrast to the more developed resorts like Sandown, but still have some nice cafes etc. The Duver 'peninsula' at St Helen's has a particularly nice vibe. The causeway across Bembridge Harbour to the Duver is an interesting part of the walk. Views across the Solent, including to St Helen's Palmerston Fort. (It is possible to walk out to this fort, but only at very low tides.) Ride the Island Rail underground trains.

Distance: 14.5 miles

Logistics: I parked next to the Hovercraft terminal at Southsea (charge), and took the Hovercraft from Southsea (0830) to Ryde (0844), then got the train from Ryde Esplanade station (0847) to Lake (0905). I chose Lake rather than either Sandown or Shanklin because it is a shorter walk to the sea. (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.) Back at Ryde, you can take the Hovercraft (1615) back to Southsea (1630).

Challenges:

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 access road down to Whitecliff Bay is for residents of the adjacent holiday park and customers of the beach cafe only. Therefore, you should stop off at the cafe and become a customer.

To walk the beaches, it is essential to time it to span a low tide. I started my walk at around 0915, and arrived at St Helen's around 1300, which coincided with low tide. Even so, the foreshore around Nodes Point connecting to Priory Bay was beginning to flood. You may get your feet wet! If in doubt, use the official path.

Some of the rocky foreshores separating the different bays involve quite a scramble, and you must proceed carefully to avoid slipping or tripping.

It is not possible to cross Bembridge Harbour mouth, so you must follow the road around the harbour to the St Helens Duver Causeway. This is a bit tedious, and I think no one would blame you if you took a bus for that section, bus times permitting. (NB I believe there is also a Water Taxi which would take you across the harbour mouth to the Duver pontoon: Google 'Bembridge Harbour Water Taxi').

Refreshments: Cafes etc at Sandown. Pub on the Culver headland. Cafe at Whitecliff Bay (see above). Cafe/restaurant on the Duver at St Helen's. Pub and cafes in Seaview. Refreshment shacks on the Ryde seafront (in Puckpool Park, for example).

Nearby Walks

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

On the mainland: Eastney

For a map showing all of my coastal walks, see here.

Photos