The Worsley Trail
Walking Home | Walking Events | Signposted Trails | The Coastal Path
Starting at the beautiful Old Village of Shanklin, this trail traverse both the high downs and the meadowed valleys as it wanders westwards across the south centre of the Island. The climb from Shanklin along the side of St Martin's Down presents a fabulous view of Sandown Bay and the fertile Arreton valley with acres of glasshouses. The trail descents into the village of Wroxall then skirts the northern end of Stenbury Down to pass just to the south of Godshill. A short detour off the trail will take you to the village with its thatched cottages and wide choice of refreshment stops. The trail then climbs the low hill known as Bleak Down before descending to cross The Wilderness, the upper reaches of the Island's main river, the Medina which flows to Newport and reaches the sea at Cowes.From here the character of the trail changes as it climbs to the high ground of Chillerton Down. Heading ever westward now, the trail crosses the Newport - Shorwell road half a mile (1 km) north of the village. A short detour into Shorwell provides an interesting church and an excellent pub stop. The trail now climbs again onto Limerstone Down where it eventually joins the Tennyson trail heading south west from Carisbrooke. From here you may continue either west or north east on the Tennyson trail or, once the road is reached, head south to Brighstone or north to Calbourne.
Total Distance about 15 miles (25 km).
Previous Walk | Next Walk
Maps are available for all these and other walks from the local tourist information offices.
