Section 2 of 7, Isle of Wight Coastal Path
Ventnor to Thorncross
11.3 miles (18.2 km). About 4½ hours, moderate.
Start: SZ 564 773. Finish: SZ 437 808. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
Up and down
About 423 m of climbing and 376 m of descent; highest point 172 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Ventnor.
- Bus stops
- Albert Street, 220 m from the start. Directions SZ 565 775Kingsview, 250 m from the start. Directions SZ 562 774Ventnor, Boots, 270 m from the start. Directions SZ 563 775
- Car parks
- Eastern Esplanade (pay), 40 m from the start. Directions SZ 564 773Car park (free), 100 m from the start. Directions SZ 564 774Car park, 200 m from the start. Directions SZ 563 775
Getting back
The section finishes at Thorncross. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stop
- Dinosaur Farm, 430 m from the finish. Directions SZ 441 808
Planning the Isle of Wight Coastal Path
- Planning the whole trail: visitisleofwight.co.uk.
What to expect
Underfoot: grass 31%, paved or flagged 19%, earth, rock and mud 18%; the rest (29%) isn't recorded.
About 16% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 2 stiles, 4 kissing gates, 2 gates, 5 flights of steps.
Steepest climb: about 95 m in a kilometre (1 in 11), starting 2.4 miles in.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Pubs and cafés
- Pubs
- Mill Bay Inn, Ventnor: at the start.The Spyglass Inn, Ventnor: 0.3 miles in. Food, real ale, seats outside, step-free.Crab and Lobster, Ventnor: near the start, about 300 m off the way.The Blenheim, Ventnor: near the start, about 250 m off the way.The Cricketer's Rest, Steephill: 1.1 miles in, about 150 m off the way. Step-free.The Buddle Smuggler's Inn, Niton: 5 miles in, about 300 m off the way. Seats outside.The Wight Mouse Inn, Chale: 6.9 miles in, about 150 m off the way. Seats outside.
- Cafés
- Play Cafe, Ventnor: at the start.The Basque Kitchen, Ventnor: at the start.The Bistro, Ventnor: at the start.Two Cooks, Ventnor: at the start.The Met, Ventnor: at the start.Queeries, Ventnor: at the start.Toni's Tea Room, Ventnor: at the start.The Smoking Lobster, Ventnor: 0.2 miles in.Lady Scarlett's Tea Parlour, Ventnor: 0.2 miles in.Golden Sands Cafe, Ventnor: 0.2 miles in.And 12 more within a quarter of a mile.
As OpenStreetMap records them. Opening times change, so check before you set off.
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