Isle of Wight Walking Festival

The Isle of Wight Walking Festival sponsored by Warner Leisure Hotels takes place 28th April to 13th May 2018.

With over 90 guided walks taking place over two weeks, right across the Isle of Wight, there’s something for everyone at this year’s festival.

Click here to go to our brand-new Isle of Wight Walking Festival 2018 website. 

New to walking?

If you want to get out exploring the Isle of Wight on foot, but are uncertain where to start, the festival is for you. All the walks are guided by local and off Island walk leaders. The walks vary in length. Some only take an hour or so and are a gentle ramble. For the more adventurous there is a three day round the Island walk, Walk the Wight and of course the 24 hr Isle of Wight Challenge.

Learning while walking

Many of the walk leaders are knowledgeable experts and not just about walking! Find out about the Victorian Solent Tunnel scheme, Jimi Hendrix and the Isle of Wight Festival or even about the Isle of Wight’s very own Isaac Newton; Robert Hooke. There’s lots more walks to discover over on the 2018 Isle of Wight Walking Festival website.

Free guided walks on the Isle of Wight

The majority of the walks in the 2018 Isle of Wight Walking Festival are free to join. All the walks are guided. You can reserve your place on a walk from the dedicated Isle of Wight Walking Festival website.

Walk with Mark Rowe

Join BBC Countryfile magazine’s and regular Isle of Wight visitor Mark Rowe for a walk around Bembridge on Saturday 28^th April. Find out more and book here.

In the evening of the 28^th April Mark will be in conversation with Paul Armfield at The Quay Arts, talking about his walking experiences across the world and about what makes the Isle of Wight so special. Find out more here. 

Earl Mountbatten Hospice’s Walk the Wight

This world-famous special walk has taken place every year for 28 years. In 2018, you can take part on Sunday 13th May and help raise funds for the Island’s Earl Mountbatten Hospice.

Thousands of people get involved every year, and an originally modest event has grown into the largest sponsored walk of its kind in Europe. There are four different walks on the day. The longest is across the whole Island (26.5 miles) from Bembridge to Alum Bay.

The Isle of Wight Challenge

Something for keen walkers; the Isle of Wight Challenge is now an annual event in the national Ultra Series calendar. Ideal for keen walkers/runners wanting to sample their first endurance event, and for experienced marathon runners who want to give themselves an even bigger challenge. There are various options, from completing a quarter of the course (25km) or the full on two-day challenge (106km), complete with camping overnight.

Island eateries

The Isle of Wight is crammed with great places to eat and drink. From pubs and restaurants to ice cream stalls, beachside cafes and much more, your only problem will be deciding where to stop along the way!

Great Places to Stay

However long you’re planning to stay for your walking holiday on the Isle of Wight, we have the ideal accommodation. If you want a bit of luxury to rest your weary feet at the end of the day, choose from one of our many stylish hotels. Or enjoy camping, caravanning, glamping or B&B-ing, whatever suits. Search our accommodation page to find your perfect Isle of Wight accommodation.

The Island is often likened to ‘England in miniature’, and when you get walking, you’ll see why. We look forward to seeing you at the 2018 Isle of Wight Walking Festival sponsored by Warner Leisure Hotels (Bembridge Coast Hotel and Norton Grange Coastal Village).