Niton to Sandown

Directions

• Off of Barrack Shute in Niton, take the footpath heading to Ventnor, signed NT31. At the end of the gravel drive, turn right onto the path marked NT29 leading to St Lawrence and Ventnor, bear left and head up the clifftop path overlooking Puckaster Cove and Binnel Bay
• Amble along the field edges and reach a signpost just beyond the BT transmitting station, turn right here and continue along the V81 footpath towards St Lawrence. When you come across a set of winding stone steps, go down them and head left at the bottom and walk along the Seven Sisters Road
• This will bring you to a junction, where you head down Spindlers Road and cross the A3055 main road and onto Old Park Road. From here, take Woolverton Road to the left and then the footpath on the right-hand side, through a wooden gate. The sights of Woody Bay will soon greet you, head left before you reach the coast and follow the diversion signs
• Carry on up the cliff towards, past Woody Point and to Orchard Bay, a track leads you around this marvellous coastal spot before you take the V90 path to Ventnor. Walk the perimeter of the field then take the concrete steps up to the Botanic Garden where you turn right and head along the fence
• As you come up to the cricket pitch, take the steep steps down towards Steephill Cove and turn left at the bottom, then a sharp right towards the shore. Take in the sights of Castle Cove, then climb up the cliff and take the track towards Ventnor.
• Climb back down the cliff and along the Ventnor Esplanade for a mile until you reach Bonchurch. Here, walk past the pottery and then take a left as you reach a row of houses. Walk up the steps signed for the coast path and walk up the track behind the houses, leading you uphill towards the Bonchurch Old Church
• Turn right as you reach the church and carry on along here towards a landslip and eventually Shanklin. As you enjoy views out across Monks Bay, head out of the landslip, pass Rosecliff Lodge and follow the stone track past Dunnose Cottage before climbing up to Luccombe Chine’s summit
• After admiring the stunning landscapes on offer from this viewpoint, find the SS2 Coastal Path signpost leading you to Shanklin. At the Highcliff building, turn left and walk for around 800m before turning right onto Popham Road, towards the sea. Take the steps down to Appleby Beach and turn left, taking you along a stunning beach-side path
• You will come across a road by the Palestine Slipway where you need to turn left and take on the steep, zig-zag path heading up to the Chine Inn. The path to Sandown runs across the clifftop promenade and on towards the beach. When you reach the end, cross Hope Road, walk along Delphi Road and continue up a slope to once again be greeted by the coastal path, then head back down towards Sandown
• As you come across Ferncliff Gardens, take the steps and walkway down to the esplanade, turn left and complete this Isle of Wight walk at Ventnor pier