Isle Of Wight Spring Walking Festival Returns With New Routes And Experiences

Walkers of all ages are being invited to explore the Island’s coastline and countryside as the Isle of Wight Spring Walking Festival returns next month.

Taking place between May 9 and 17, the annual event will feature a wide range of guided walks across the Island, showcasing coastal paths, historic landmarks and lesser-known spots.

Organisers say this year’s festival includes a number of new routes and experiences, alongside popular returning favourites, with walks led by local volunteers and businesses.

One of the headline events is the ‘Hover & Walk’, organised by Hovertravel. Participants will travel by hovercraft from Ryde to Seaview before taking on a mostly flat coastal walk back to Ryde.

The event will also raise money for Dementia UK.

Another new addition sees West End performer Earl Carpenter inspire a circular walk from Yarmouth, taking in Tennyson Down, Totland and Colwell Bay, with panoramic views across the Channel.

Festival-goers can also take part in the popular ‘Hendrix in the West Wight’ walk, which visits the site of the Isle of Wight Festival 1970 at Afton Down — where Jimi Hendrix performed one of his final shows—before heading to the Dimbola Museum.

Other new walks include a community ‘Walk for Ukraine’ and ‘Newport Hidden Gems’, alongside themed routes focusing on Charles Dickens and a women’s-only Half Needles Marathon challenge.

Organisers say they are expecting to welcome walkers from across the UK and beyond.

Places are still available on a number of walks, with full details and booking available via the festival website.