Discover the best of the Isle of Wight on foot with the Isle of Wight Walking Festival, one of the UK’s longest running walking festivals, taking place this year between 8-16 October
With the island’s 60 miles of dramatic coastline, 500 miles of well maintained, signposted footpaths, and over half of the island designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and one of few places in the UK to gain UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status, it’s easy to understand why the Isle of Wight Walking Festival is now in its 23rd year!
Every autumn and spring, Visit Isle of Wight hosts the Walking Festival as a celebration of walking and nature, introducing visitors to parts of the island that they may never have discovered by themselves. Spanning nine days, the Autumn Walking Festival has more than 40 bookable treks – from sunrise starts with the dawn chorus, to stargazing into the night. Most walks are free and are graded by pace; from gentle to moderate, through to strenuous walks for the more experienced hiker.
The walks are guided by friendly volunteer walk leaders from groups such as the Isle of Wight Ramblers Association, the National Trust and other local businesses. There’s nothing these passionate islanders couldn’t – and wouldn’t – tell you about their favourite routes, special viewpoints, cosy cafés, or pubs to sit back and relax in at the end of a day on your feet. Walk with family, enjoy a stroll with friends, or connect with new people in the great outdoors. If you have a dog in your household, bring them along.
The Isle of Wight is one of the most dog-friendly places you’ll ever visit. Dogs are welcome on most of the beaches all year round, and there is an abundance of dog-friendly hotels, pubs, restaurants, and cafés to choose from after a walk.
Travelling to the island with your dog could not be easier, they travel free on all car ferry routes, from Southampton, Lymington and Portsmouth as well as on the Portsmouth to Ryde Pierhead catamaran, the Red Jet foot passenger fast craft from Southampton to West Cowes and Hovertravel services. When on board a car ferry, be sure to head to the outer passenger decks to enjoy the spectacular views of the Solent with your four-legged friend. If you want to book an extended visit to the island with your dog, there are plenty of accommodation choices, and well-behaved pooches on leads are welcome at many of the island’s attractions.
Whether you are a serious walker looking for a challenge or looking for something to entertain the family this autumn, pack your walking boots and wellies, layer up your woollies and enjoy the beautiful Isle of Wight landscape at this special time of year. The best way to see the island is on foot!
All guided walks for the island’s Autumn Festival from Saturday 8 until Sunday 16 October must be booked online via isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk. Don’t forget to check out the offers page for reduced travel and accommodation deals.
