Isle of Wight Walking Festival

IOW Walking Festival: 5 – 13 October 2024

An event for keen hikers, relaxed wanderers, and curious explorers alike, the Isle of Wight Walking Festival offers a chance to meet new people and discover the many wonders of the Island.

With over 100 walks across 18 days on offer to suit all abilities, this inclusive event will take you on guided tours of the Islands varied landscape, thriving wildlife and rich heritage.

The festival is split across the Spring and Autumn, so you have the chance to discover the Island by foot in both glorious seasons!

What’s more, we’re offering 20% off your ferry travel to the Island for this event, between 4 and 14 October 2024.

Book your discounted travel

A group take a guided walk along a stoney path between two fields on the Isle of Wight

Autumn Walking Festival

This year, the Walking Festival are celebrating their 25^th anniversary. The Autumn iteration is taking place Saturday, 5 to Sunday, 13 October, so get prepared for a week-long walking adventure.

Over half the Isle of Wight is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and in 2019 the Island became a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Add 500 miles of well-maintained and signposted footpaths and you’ll see why the Island is the perfect place for a walking extravaganza.

Follow the links below to see which walks are taking place on which days, as well as our pick of the best.

Our top picks

We have put together a few walks to inspire you. All the walks vary in difficulty so make sure you check before you book.

Each walk has something special to offer, whether that’s stunning views, entertaining guides or a wealth of history to uncover.

Short and Gentle

Queen Victoria’s Island visitors – 12 October – 1.5 Miles (Free)

This walk is one of the shorter walks, mainly following flat paths at gentle pace, perfect for beginners! The walk will take you on a guided adventure of all the famous visitors to Queen Victoria when she lived at Osborne house.

Landmarks and Views

Colwell Loop – 6 October – 14 Miles (Voluntary Donation)

This walk is one of the more challenging, but the challenge is worth it for the breathtaking coastal scenes and iconic landmarks on route! If 14 miles seems too intense, there is a ‘take the bus back’ option and the walk is at a leisurely pace.

Entertain and Educate

The Lost Crypt History Walk – 2 Miles – 5 October (Paid Event)

Walk led by a costume guide taking you on a stroll around Ryde, stopping to indulge in the history of the founding families and events associated with your surroundings. The walk will be a gentle pace on mainly flat paths.

How to get there

Firstly, and most importantly, you can save 20% on foot, car and motorcycle ferry fares to the Island for the Isle of Wight Autumn Walking Festival, between 4 October and 14 October 2024.

If you’re looking to travel on foot, the best way to get there is on our Portsmouth to Ryde route, which can get you across the Solent in just 22 minutes. Ryde has plenty of efficient connections to the rest of the Island if your walk is starting further inland.

Bus services on the Isle of Wight are operated by Southern Vectis and the Isle of Wight Walking Festival have added the relevant bus route number on each walk on their website.

Our mainland ports each have excellent railway connections, so travelling to and from the Isle of Wight by train couldn’t be easier.

Alternatively, if you would like the comfort of your car pre and post walk, both our Portsmouth to Fishbourne and our Lymington to Yarmouth routes can take you to and from the Island with ease.

Pets are welcome on board if you’re bringing your companion along for the walking fun!

Simply book using the button below to receive your discount.

Book ferry offer