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Take on the challenge of these epic Isle of Wight walks this Autumn
19th September 2024
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It's the 25th anniversary of the Isle of Wight Walking Festival with the popular multi-award-winning event takes place between 5th-13th October on the UK’s largest island, one of only seven UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in the UK. The first 60 Autumn walks were released early August, and now more walks have been added to the line-up, taking it to over 100 bookable walks this season.
Not for the faint hearted, there are four epic walks that are only for the most determined, that will test even the most hardened walker… are you up for the challenge?
Opening the festival on Saturday 5 October starting at 8.30am is the 17-mile Joey’s Walk, a special tribute ramble, held to celebrate 200 years of the founding of the RNLI. The walk is hosted by Martin Woodward, who first moved to the Isle of Wight as a young boy and has lived there ever since. As a young teenager he was obsessed with boats and the sea and spent 35-years with the RNLI, working his way up to Coxswain. Joey’s Walk commemorates all the crews who have put so much into Saving Lives at Sea and recognizes the efforts of Bembridge coxswain Joey Attrill who walked 17 miles to assist in the rescue of crew from a stricken vessel on the south coast of the Isle of Wight at Atherfield back in 1888.
The walk starts at the RNLI Bembridge Lifeboat Station and walkers will enjoy panoramic and picturesque countryside and sea views throughout. It ends at Atherfield Coastguard Cottages, which overlooks the wreck of the ‘Sirenia’ 1888. There’s the opportunity for a break at the Chequers Pub in Rookley enroute or the pub has a good car park which could be a good starting point for those who are only looking to do half of the walk. A £10 registration fee - plus any further donations - will go to the RNLI.
Then on Sunday, trek from North to South with IOW Ramblers Chairman, David Yates. The route starts at the most northerly point of the Isle of Wight, Egypt Point in Cowes, and David will guide walkers across the Island to the most southerly point at the beautiful St Catherine’s Lighthouse. A drink all together at The Buddle Inn, at Niton Undercliff, follows as a great reward after completing the 18-mile route.
Also on Sunday 6, out in the West Wight, Sue Russell takes walkers on her popular Colwell Loop. At 14 miles, it’s the shortest of the four toughest walks and can even be shortened further, as there are four ‘take the bus back’ options (from Alum Bay, Freshwater Bay, Yarmouth and Fort Victoria) on this circular route starting and finishing at Colwell Common. Aesthetically the walk offers it all and is one of the most stunning routes of the festival; there are parts along the coastal path, views of the iconic Needles, Tennyson Down and a stop for a photo opportunity at the monument, followed by breathtaking views of Freshwater Bay on the way down. There’s also a walk through the charming seaside town of Yarmouth before the final push back to Colwell. A voluntary donation is requested which will go to Macmillan Cancer Support.
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Throughout the week there are plenty of mid-range and shorter walks available, ranging from 0.5 – 8-miles. Then closing the Festival on Sunday 13 October David Yates returns to host another 18-mile trek, to celebrate ‘Goatober’ - an international goat meat food festival. The walk starts and finishes at David’s Smallholding Goat Farm in Kingston and participants are rewarded with a tour of the Farm and free goat hot dogs and drinks on completion. This walk is free to join.
Which walk will you undertake? Keep up with all the latest news by following Isle of Wight Walking Festival on X (twitter) and Instagram and remember, share your own Isle of Wight walking experiences with them. Take a look at some of the views and adventures that await.....
