Explore the Isle of Wight on a Walking or Cycling Holiday

The Isle of Wight is a place which in many ways exists in its own time warp: half of the island is designated as an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ and everything is on a manageable scale. There are no huge towns or big industrial blights but long chalky downs, sandy beaches and enchanting woodlands. You will find plenty of seaside rock, ice cream and fish ’n’ chips, but also great traditional pubs, quiet paths, historical churches and gems of villages. It's the perfect place to discover the old-world charms of England.

From the UK, it’s easy (and cheap!) to reach the Isle of Wight and you’ll be able to enjoy a milder-than-most-parts-of-the-UK climate. Whether you are looking for a holiday on foot or by bike, UTracks offers the following two trip options.

ON TWO WHEELS | Isle of Wight Cycle

Pick up your hire bike at the traditional seaside resort of Ryde, the largest town on the island, and let your holiday begin! Ideal for anyone looking for a short town-and-country cycling break, the circular route is undulating and distances are kept fairly short, giving you time to stop and explore. Highlights include sophisticated Cowes, world famous for its regatta; the astonishing brick-built Quarr Abbey; taking the cycle path to Freshwater Bay, which follows an old railway line; the tidal estuary at Newport, known for its chain ferry; and Chale, the shipwreck capital of the island.

> View the 5 day Isle of Wight Cycle tour
 

ON FOOT | Isle of Wight Coastal Walking 

Spend a week circumnavigating the island and taking in its great natural beauty, enjoying glittering sea views across the Solent and the English Channel, its well-known white cliffs and sea-stacks around The Needles and of course miles of beaches. Following mostly public footpaths and minor lanes, there are several attractions to break down each walking day, including a visit to the holiday home of Queen Victoria, Osborne House; the thatched church at Freshwater Bay; timeless seaside resorts such as Ventnor, Shanklin and Sandown; and the great Palmerston fortresses.

> View the 8 day Isle of Wight Coastal Walking Tour
 

Have you explored the Isle of Wight on a cycling trip or hiking holiday? How was your experience? Let us know in the comment section below.