Round the IOW Cycle Route

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Waymarked Road Route

The 62-mile Round-the-Island Cycle Route is probably the best way to experience the variety of the Isle of Wight and to appreciate its true size. The permanently signed route leads you along country lanes, through towns and villages, avoiding the busiest roads wherever possible. The verges of some country lanes are maintained for the benefit of wildlife are not cut until late summer.

The route can be cycled in either direction and is likely to take between five and eight hours to go all the way round. You may want to do the route in stages, or to find alternative routes, perhaps by cutting inland on the Cowes to Newport Cycleway. The Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure Map No. 29 is recommended if you intend to find detours or shortcuts. Remember that cyclists can also use public bridleways (but not footpaths) and the Isle of Wight Council publishes a set of four guides describing off-road routes. Hint: The hills are more in your favour if you travel in a clockwise direction; the least hilly section is from Freshwater Bay to Cowes; the biggest hill is to be found at Chale towards Niton in the anti-clockwise direction.

East Cowes to Bembridge - 12.5 miles Start point: Floating Bridge, East Cowes Bembridge to Niton - 16.75 miles Start point: Bembridge Harbour Niton to Freshwater Bay - 14.25 miles Start point: Niton Freshwater Bay to Cowes - 18.75 miles Start point: Freshwtaer Bay

Maps are available for cycle routes and trails from the local tourist information offices. If you have any comments on the Round-the-Island Cycle Route or would like further infomration on cycling, please write to:

Director of Engineering and Technical Services,
Isle of Wight Council, County Hall,
Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1UD

Or ring the Cycling Officer: tel. +44 (0)1983 823741

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Maps are available for cycle routes and trails from the local tourist information offices.