ISLE OF WIGHT COAST PATH

CHALE TO TOTLAND  17 miles

HOME     SANDOWN TO CHALE TOTLAND TO COWES

 

OK This is when I start to do some real walking. Long distance walking at its best. Glorious scenery, and a mammoth walk that’s going to take all day and sap every last bit of  my strength. The walk out of Chale includes the usual locked Church - look but don’t touch mentality. Yes we all suffer just because of a minority of bad guys. Let me know if you ever see inside. This part of the walk is an introduction to the mechanics of erosion and the famous Isle of Wight chines. Watch out that’s the footpath disappearing over the cliff - last years footpath! Watch out again that’s me disappearing down into a chine and puff, puff, puff clambering back out the other side. Stop at the Pearl centre, it’s worth a look, plus they do great cream teas. Whoever thought up this enterprise we salute you. Capitalism at its best; from small acorns great trees grow! Onto Freshwater Bay and oh yes you do deserve a quick beer at the Albion Hotel. Not too much remember what happened yesterday. Soak up the scenery and timeless quality of the Bay, children play on the hard beach and venturesome swimmers paddle in chill waters. This is where it’s oh so easy to say, ‘that’s it I’m done in…. thus far, but no further’. Great things are ahead. I’m off again, straight up onto Tennyson Down, no sweat …. Well quite a bit really. Now for miles of pleasure. I found lots of people walking over the Down, most gravitating to the Tennyson memorial. Yet I found some secluded spots where I contemplated the meaning of life etc. The Needles next and then onto Alum Bay with its coloured sand and happy memories from that school trip. I spent ages then deciding which little glass nick knack to purchase with the their lines of coloured sand. Take the chairlift to the bay; it’s a must and even the boat ride out to the Needles. Heaven waits for sinners! Sure your be late in tonight but you won’t forget this day for a lifetime. Climb up once again over Headon Warren with its fine views over the Solent; that yachters paradise. Then down along the front, passed the Waterfront Inn and then into Totland. Yes OK I was totally shattered, but unwound later watching the sun go down over the Solent at the ….guess where ?

 

 

Chale church towards Brighstone Bay Freshwater Bay The Needles from Tennyson Down

 

The Needles Alum Bay Chairlift to Alum Bay The Solent from Headon Warren

 

RYDE - SANDOWN SANDOWN - CHALE CHALE - TOTLAND TOTLAND - COWES COWES - RYDE