This walk was devised by Sylvia Cummins, who sadly died suddenly in 2022. She loved the Isle of Wight and organised a trip there at least once per year, including this walk from Chale to Ventnor.

This GPX-only walk (i.e., no written directions) explores the South of the Isle of White

Starting at Chale Church with a (optional) climb up to the St Catherine’s Oratory, the route then descends to the coast path near Blackgang Chine. The Coast path is inland at this point but gives views down to the sea and St Catherine’s Lighthouse with an opportunity to swim at a deserted beach, Rocken End, which can be difficult to access following rain. You then climb back up to civilisation and lunch at the Buddle Smugglers Inn near Niton.

After lunch the route climbs up to the Coast path which runs at high level above the Landslip then descends through St Laurence to the Sugar Loaf Hill and a more normal cliff top coast path. This leads to the hamlet of Steephill Cove where you can get tea and ice cream. The route into Ventnor takes you pass the Spyglass Inn and several seaside cafes as well as the part sand part gravel beach. There are several restaurants in Ventnor and regular busses back to Shanklin and Ryde.

Conditions on coastal walks are particularly liable to change and you might need to divert off your intended route. A GPS device is recommended.

toughness: 6 out of 10

Length: 8.5 miles

Travel: Bus Number 6 departs Ventnor Boots at 10.05 (direction Newport ). Arrives Chale Church at 10.41. (This is a 2 hourly service).

For those starting from Shanklin (Bus no. 3 leaves Shanklin Bus station Stand D, at 9.33 and gets to Ventnor Boots by 9.53). An earlier bus No. 3 leaves Bus Station at 9.03 and arrives Ventnor 9.23.

This is a map led walk, and the GPX and KML files can be found here along with outline of the walk, swimming spots, sites, picnic places, pubs etc:

https://www.walkingclub.org.uk/walk/chale-to-ventnor/

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