Discover 15 of the best short walks on the Isle of Wight, all carefully chosen to showcase the island’s coast, countryside and much-loved landmarks in under three hours. From resort promenades and quiet estuaries to castle ruins and clifftop views, this collection offers a relaxed way to experience the island on foot with confidence, without tough climbs or challenging terrain – perfect for families, casual walkers and anyone holidaying on the Isle of Wight.

• This guidebook focuses on easy to moderate routes that are generally short and straightforward, with only gentle ascents and no technical ground, making them suitable for children, older walkers and mixed-ability groups
• Each of the 15 short walks includes clear, easy-to-read Ordnance Survey maps tied to numbered route descriptions, helping you stay on track from start to finish
• Routes span from charming villages and seaside towns like Godshill and St Helens to discovering famous attractions like The Needles, Carisbrooke Castle, Quarr Abbey and the Tennyson Trail
• All details of your day out are covered, including where to park, and refreshment opportunities along the route and in key locations such as Sandown, Shanklin, Ventnor and Ryde
• The walks are viable all year round, with off-season visits offering less-crowded trails, though you should be prepared for some mud after wet weather

Part of Cicerone’s Short Walks series, this Isle of Wight guidebook brings together everything you need for simple, enjoyable days out with family: short, generally easy routes, straightforward navigation, and plenty of ideas for what to see along the way. Whether you’re visiting on a day-trip from Lymington or a longer holiday, it’s an ideal companion for discovering the island’s famous views, historic sites and classic seaside charm on foot.

Paul Curtis lived on the Isle of Wight for eight years, during which time he wrote the first edition of this book. He is a very keen national and international long-distance walker and cyclist, preferring to savour it all than to rush. Among many other adventures, he has cycled from Boston to San Diego, from New York City to New Orleans, from Calais to Malaga, and from Calais to Scalea, as well as hiking through the Swiss Alps, and from his Hampshire home to Sheffield. He has also designed a South of England figure of eight mega-walk, stretching from Dover to Lands End and centred on Windsor. He is a solo, romantic explorer in the Wainwright tradition and believes that guidebooks should first and foremost be about finding the most beautiful routes and providing precise, accurate descriptions.