Isle of Wight Red Squirrel trail | cycling and wildlife

The popular Red Squirrel trail on the Isle of Wight is perfect for family-friendly holidays, offering a safe and scenic route ideal for cycling enthusiasts of all ages. Winding through 32 miles of beautiful countryside, farmland, estuaries and coastal areas, the Red Squirrel trail showcases the natural beauty of the Isle of Wight and rich wildlife providing a perfect outdoor activity for both children and adults. Discover the red squirrel hot spots along the trail to catch a glimpse of the famous red squirrels in their natural habitat. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful ride or an adventurous day out, the Red squirrel trail delivers an unforgettable cycling experience.

Red Squirrel trail map

Discover red squirrels on the Isle of Wight

As you're cycling along the Red Squirrel trail, keep a look out for the route's namesake! These allusive little characters are relatives of the grey squirrel but can only exist on our island due to the fact that no grey squirrels live here.

On the Red Squirrel Trail you will travel through red squirrel inhabited woodland, so the chance of catching a glimpse is pretty high! Don’t be too disappointed if you don’t see one though - they are notoriously shy. The best place to see them is at Alverstone Mead Nature Reserve. The red squirrels there are used to visitors, so take them some snacks to get really close and snap a selfie with our red residents!

Plan your Isle of Wight Red Squirrel trail adventure

The route begins in East Cowes, where you can disembark the Red Funnel vehicle ferry and cross the floating bridge to get to Cowes. If you’ve travelled as a foot passenger by Red Jet, you’ll already be in Cowes. Get ready for your adventure by fuelling up with a refreshing drink and a tasty bite to eat at one of the charming local cafes in Cowes. There is a free-to-use cycle hub next to the Red Jet terminal if you would like to leave your bike in a secure, covered area. Or if you don’t have a bike, simply get in touch with one of the local cycle hire providers.

Cycle the Isle of Wight Red Squirrel trail in sections

The full length of the trail can be broken down into four sections; East Cowes to Merstone (via Newport), Merstone to Sandown, Sandown back to Merstone and finally Merstone back to East Cowes.

Overnight stop on the Red Squirrel trail

To fully enjoy the Red Squirrel trail, take two days to explore the whole route at a leisurely pace, with an overnight stop along the way – perhaps in one of the charming coastal hotels or friendly B&Bs in Sandown or Shanklin.

Red squirrel's on the Isle of Wight

Family-friendly cycle trail on the Isle of Wight

The Red Squirrel trail follows disused railway lines that have been transformed into smooth, traffic-free cycle paths, ideal for families and beginners. Along the way, you’ll pass through beautiful landscapes from peaceful woodlands and rich wetlands to rolling farmland, all home to remarkable wildlife habitats.

The trail also takes you along our island's coastline - the seawall path from Sandown to Shanklin is a breathtaking ride and an excellent spot for an ice cream stop! To add a bit of variation to the mainly flat, off-road route, the Red Squirrel trail also has a couple of slightly more challenging passages which wind along bridleways over varied terrain and gradients.

Top hot spots to find red squirrels on the Isle of Wight

Alverstone Mead Nature Reserve - turn left off the trail at Alverstone and the entrance to the reserve is 50 metres along the road. There is a bird / red squirrel viewing hide located here.
Pedallers Cafe - Pedallers is the only cafe located directly on the trail. Popular with visitors and locals, it makes the perfect pit-stop during your cycling adventure!
The Garlic Farm - turn left off the trail at Landbridge, Newchurch, bringing you to the famous Isle of Wight Garlic Farm, surrounded by fields filled with a variety of wildlife.
Shanklin Chine - head to Shanklin Old Village where you will find the entrance to our island's oldest attraction, Shanklin Chine. You will discover loads of different wildlife in the Chine as you descend through to the seafront.