Whether you want a gentle coastal path or a countryside romp, the Isle of Wight delivers! In this guide to the best IOW family walks, there is something suitable all. Below are the top 8 Isle of Wight hikes with kids. All of which provide fun, adventure and much more.
The Isle of Wight is a haven for British holiday makers. Nature lovers, families and those that enjoy the quieter side of things flock here. IOW activity holidays are also popular, with everything from surfing to cycling and skydiving to scuba diving on offer.
Just hop on the Wightlink car ferry from Portsmouth to Fishbourne, or Lymington to Yarmouth, to bring your wheels. Alternatively you can take the fast cat from Portsmouth to Ryde in just 22 minutes as a foot passenger, this links up with the trains.
Isle of Wight Walking Festival
Want to make the most of the island’s beautiful walks? Then the Isle of Wight Walking Festival is the perfect time to visit. Running from the 5-13 of October, 2024 is the 25th anniversary!
There are 90 bookable guided walks suitable for all ages and abilities. From historical trails to wildlife spotting, these walks highlight the best the island has to offer. Which includes plenty of excellent Isle of Wight hikes with kids.
With guides leading the way, you get a deeper understanding of the island’s rich natural and cultural heritage. The Walking Festival is currently in full swing, so we thought it’s a good time to share our favourite family walks on the Isle of Wight.
Top 8 Isle of Wight Hikes with Kids
I don’t live on the island, but my parents to. So my boys (currently aged 13 and 11) and I visit frequently, we always head on a hike or two. While we have never joined the Walking Festival we have done plenty of the same routes.
In our experience these are the best IOW family walks:
Tennyson Down to the Needles: A Panoramic Adventure
For a walk packed with breathtaking views, the Tennyson Down Trail is hard to beat. This iconic route takes you along a chalk ridge, offering panoramic views of the Needles and the English Channel.
Park at the Tennyson Down National Trust Car Park, from where there is a short but steep hike to the Tennyson monument. An undulating trail crosses the cliff tops all the way to the Needles through beautiful meadows and heathland.
For variety stay adjacent to the cliffs in one direction and take a more inland path on the way back. One of the best IOW family walks for iconic views to perhaps top for a picnic along the way. Visit the Old Battery at the point overlooking the Needles for a spot of history and an ice cream.
The Red Squirrel Trail: A Woodland Wonder
For a leisurely stroll through nature, taking on a section of the Red Squirrel Trail is an excellent choice. This 32-mile route meanders from Cowes to Shanklin passing through the heart of the island. But there are plenty of shorter sections that make ideal Isle of Wight hikes with kids.
Our favourite is the Merstone to Sandown section. Straight out of Sandown there is a wonderful all-weather trail on an old railway line to Newport, it provides a smooth journey for bikes and buggies. However, it is the paths off of this into the woodland and around Alverstone Mead that we love.
In Sandown take the dirt track next to the entrance to the golf course on Golf Link Road. It leads to a footpath and a hide, we’ve seen red squirrels, water fowl, bird of prey and more. Follow the trail through beautiful woodlands and over boardwalks then loop back to Sandown on the main trail.
If 5 km is not enough, walk across fields and through Martins Wood Reserve to Newchurch. You can stop in the lovely pub for refreshments before re-joining the main trail. There are also great side paths to the north around Knighton to Alverstone for a more challenging hike.
Shanklin to Ventnor: Coastal Charm
One of the most charming coastal walks on the island is the path from Shanklin to Ventnor. This relatively short route, about 5 km long, offers a combination of sandy beaches and dramatic cliff views.
My kids love exploring the rock pools around Steep Hill Cove on the other side of Ventnor. From there walk up through Ventnor Botanic Garden. For me this was one of the best IOW family walks when my kids were younger.
Bembridge Windmill to Duver Beach: History and Photos
The Bembridge Windmill is the island’s last surviving windmill. There is a short walk around the National Trust site through peaceful countryside which good photo opportunities.
The route is manageable even for younger children, making it one of the top Isle of Wight hikes with kids. After exploring the windmill, you can follow a woodland path north east towards Bembridge where the harbour is well worth a visit.
Alternatively skirt around the harbour on footpaths to St Helens. Then cross the causeway to Duver beach and the sand dunes. My kids love this area, and the causeway is great for scenic photos. There is a lovely cafe on the beach for an obligatory ice cream.
Rocken End to St Catherine’s Look Out: Adventure Walk
Park up at the old Blackgang car park near Niton and take the trails heading south west towards the coast. There are a warren of partially overgrown paths across old landslides, over streams and through woods.
For kids this is a proper adventure, for adults there are breathtaking views. The path goes down to Rocken End Beach, from there you can scramble over boulders to reach a secluded beach and join a coastal path towards St. Catherine’s Lookout. There are cross country trails back to the car park.
This is a short walk but very steep and uneven in places. It is easy to get lost, but that is half the fun and it would be hard to stay lost for long. The sweeping views across the island’s southern tip are well worth it, and keep your eyes pealed for seals and IOW surfers.
Appuldurcombe House & Stenbury Down: History and Hills
A visit to Appuldurcombe House (closed on Saturdays) can be combined with a lovely walk to the monument on Stenbury down. Once one of the grandest estates on the Isle of Wight, Appuldurcombe House is an impressive shell of a building in landscaped grounds.
From the free car park, walk to Freemantle Gate and enter beautiful woodland. There are a few options from here to reach Appuldurcombe Monument, but all require climbing the steep Stenbury Down.
As you ascend, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views over the island’s countryside and coastline. The top is perfect for a picnic! Continue one of the best Isle of Wight hikes with kids across Stenbury Down, then loop down towards Wroxhall and back to the car park.
Hamstead Heritage Coast Walk: Remote Tranquillity
Of the best IOW family walks, Hamstead Heritage Coast, is the only one I have not done. But it is top of my list. It explores one of the Isle of Wight’s most unspoiled and remote landscapes along the northwest coast.
Starting near Newtown Creek, this National Nature Reserve is rich in birdlife. Weaving through ancient woodlands, salt marshes and quiet beaches there are stunning views across the Solent towards the mainland.
Sandown to Brading Via Culver Down & Fort
Starting on Sandown seafront at Yaverland, this path gradually ascends towards Culver Down. This chalk ridge has breathtaking views of the IOW coastline, and mainland, on clear days you can see the South Downs above Brighton.
At the top there is a pub for refreshments and kids can explore Culver Battery, a historical fort from World War II. From here head back to Sandown for a 10k walk. Alternatively head inland along the ridge through open countryside towards Brading to catch a train back.
Best IOW Family Walks: Conclusion
Visiting for the walking festival or planning a family day out? These Isle of Wight walks with kids are the perfect way to experience the island with your family. So grab your walking shoes, pack a picnic and explore parts of the Isle of Wight many tourists never see.
We hope you found this guide to the best Isle of Wight walks with kids inspiring. For more challenging trails in Britain, check out the best UK treks (which includes one on the IOW).
