A member asked about a cycling and skinny-dipping trip on the Island so here is one route, starting from the Mainland ferry at Yarmouth.
A bit late for this year as the camp sites are closed for the winter, so print out for next year!
Needed: OS OL29 Explorer map; Tide Table for Freshwater, see isleofwightweather.co.uk and click on Freshwater on the map.
From the ferry ramp, note the tourist office on the left and turn rt at the island, A3054. Cycle West to the sign for Brambles Farm on the rt. (1.5M). Down the lane to the slip (hitch bike to the rail) and go rt side beyond the 2nd breakwater. Pebbles and sand, very clean water. Photo 1
Main road to next island, turn left, through Freshwater village, over Co-op island to Freshwater Bay. Bit too public here but tempting at beach ends at right time of day. (2.5M). Photo 2
Long drag up the hill on the Military Road to Compton Bay car park (2M), but go rt along the good sandy beach as far as necessary. Gets very busy in high season. Photo 3
Military Road to Brook car park (0.5M) and go left along beach beyond the big rock. Dog walkers go up to here. Photo 4
See Part 2
Continue along the Military Road to Chilton Chine car park, before 'Wight Pearl'. (2M). Down steps. Rt side has 'blue slipper' clay under water and can be seaweedy. Go left for super beach, towards Grange Chine.
Military Road to Grange Chine and camping (0.75M). Full facilities here in season. Down slope to good sandy beaches left and right. Photos 5, 6, 7.
Take Military Road to Atherfield camp site. (2.5M). Toilets and showers here. Public footpath goes through. Walk down slope at Shepherd's Chine to big pebble and sand beaches, left and right. Photo 8
See Part 3
Atherfield is not officially naturist but popular and it's possible to have a brilliant naked walk, left side, South, for 4 miles on sand to Blackgang naturist beach. There is no access at Whale Chine now due to erosion. Photos 9,10,11,12.
See Part 4
Returning to the ferry can be enjoyed, apart from the hills, by going back along the Military Road to Marsh Green Farm (1.75M) and turning inland. Pass through Marsh Green and do a short right and a left to Broad Lane. Try the delish watercress in the stream before the bridge! Photo 13
Left at the main road, through Brighstone and take Lynch Lane on the right, signed to Calbourne. Up the short steep hill to the Mottistone Down car park on the left. (1M). Photos 14,15.
Ride Mottistone Down, cross the road (1.5M) and push up the steep hill at the start of Brook Down! It levels out, through the golf course, and take the Freshwater Way on the right before a reservoir hump. (2.5M). Down the hill, through the fields and reach the Afton-Newport road. (0.5M).
Do a quick left and a right to The Causeway road and just before the R.Yar bridge take the old railway track to Yarmouth. (1.75M).
It's not sensible to try beach cycling because of the steep steps but cycle racks/posts are available.
Beware of undercurrents, particularly at Atherfield Point. This coast is swept by English Channel tides!
Enjoy the best part of this beautiful island! See you next year!
Looks promising - one to earmark for a cycle-camping weekend next year 🙂
Despite living so close, I don't really know the island that well but it certainly nerits further exploration. Thanks to the unstable cliffs, it's pretty much free of development along the south west coast.
Yes, the high cliffs are always unstable and it's not wise to linger under them. I once saw a high cliff fall beyond Whale Chine shortly after I had walked past it from Blackgang. Very scary!!
Sorry to bump an old topic, but those are beautiful pictures vinww and brought back good memories of visiting Blackgang for the first time - and my first time naked on a beach - a couple of years ago.
I have family on the island and have visited all my life, with vague knowledge that Blackgang was a popular spot for this. At the time it seemed very hard to find any information or pictures of the area, but visiting with my partner we decided to give it a go and had a glorious afternoon in May bank holiday sun. The route down is fascinating and certainly builds the anticipation!
We're returning this year so will hopefully get another visit. From reading a few topics now, I think we'll try Atherton Point - Old Blackgang car park was only small and reports elsewhere of car break ins are worrying, but it also gives an excuse for that long walk along the beach with only a bag on my back...
Access is easy at ATHERFIELD. There is a bus stop for the infrequent Island Coaster route. The buses do take bikes.
Park on the verge opposite the camping and caravan site and walk through their gate. It is a public footpath. Don't follow the made road across the field but aim for the gap in the hedge line to the left. Go straight on over a small bridge and follow the path seawards, alongside the derelict buildings. Turn left at the cliff edge and down the slope to the beach.
Arrange to walk near to low-tide timing as Atherfield Point can be limiting.
It's a brilliant and spectacular walk on a hot summer's day!
Thanks for bumping this topic, I'm still hoping to cycle over to the Island one day this summer and take in a couple of skinny dips.
Thanks for bumping this topic, I'm still hoping to cycle over to the Island one day this summer and take in a couple of skinny dips.
Wow! an amphibious bike! ;D
Want to chat? Why not try Naturist Video Chat with Peter & Shiraz Here
Ha! Missed that one!
They do exist, see Google. Saves on the ferry fare, too.