Malcolm Smith's
Walks Pages

 

...  ISLE OF WIGHT   ...

 
ROUND THE ISLAND - Anti-clockwise on the Coastal Path

 
Section 3 : Freshwater Bay to Chale

 
          Section 3 is sub-divided as follows :

          Freshwater Bay to Brookgreen
          Brookgreen to Chilton Green
          Chilton Green to Shepherd's Chine
          Shepherd's Chine to Chale

• Freshwater Bay to Brookgreen - Follow the short sea wall, past the lifeboat station, to a set of wooden steps to ascend the cliff where then bear right into The National Trust Freshwater Cliffs.  Cross a sunken track, which is probably the old road, passing Stag Rock and Mermaid Rock below on the shore.  The path now runs between Military Road and the cliff top and the signs warning to keep away from the cliff edge should be observed.  The cliff erosion is coming perilously close to the road and the path runs along the road edge at the highest point, just over which The Freshwater Way leaves to the left up Afton Down.  As the road starts to diverge from the cliffs, turn off to the right crossing a stile then a small footbridge to follow the cliff edge across a field through which the chalk gives way to rust red ironstone sand.  On meeting a track, cross the stile on top of the far bank to continue along the top of the cliff.  Descend towards Shippard's Chine and reach the National Trust car park at Hanover Point.  Leave the car park through a kissing gate and continue along the cliff top, passing Hanover Point on the way.  Pass through a kissing gate at Brook Bay, then down and over a footbridge, keeping along the cliff top.  A little further on, The Hamstead Trail leaves to the left from Military Road.  Through a further kissing gate, go through the National Trust car park at Brook Chine, leaving through a staggered barrier then over a stile to follow the edge of Brook Chine and pick up a gravel track next to a bridge.  Take the track up to Military Road and leave The National Trust Brook Chine opposite the junction to Brook village.
• Brookgreen to Chilton Green - Turn right along Military Road for a short distance then turn three-quarters to the right, crossing a stile then skirting the cottages at Brook Green before coming back to the bridge.  Turn left and walk round behind the Old Lifeboat House then start heading along the cliff top again, crossing a stile before ascending.  Cross another stile to get to the seaward side of the fence then traverse an area of sunken cliff before crossing another stile.  The route undulates gently approaching The National Trust Mottistone Estate Sudmoor after which there are three more stiles to cross.  Cross a stile on leaving The National Trust then after which follow the path as it bears inland at Chilton Chine to reach a small car park next to the main road.
• Chilton Green to Shepherd's Chine - Turn right onto Military Road to cross the bridge over the chine, then pass Isle of Wight Pearl and immediately turn back towards the sea.  Follow the left hand edge of the field, turning left into another field to follow the cliff top once more.  At the end of the field, keep to the seaward side of Brighstone Holiday Camp, then cross a small sleeper footbridge over a ditch to reach a kissing gate through which is Grange Farm Camping Park at the edge of Grange Chine.  At the chine, bear right down a track to the bottom where it meets Marsh Chine then follow the sign to the left.  Cross the stream in the chine by means of a small footbridge then climb the other side back to the top of the cliff.  Follow the cliff top over ground that undulates gently along a grassy surface.  Approaching the holiday camp where there is a small chine, the route diverts inland to a signpost where it doubles back towards the sea, crossing a deep ditch via planks.  On the far side of the holiday camp, descend into the chine.
• Shepherd's Chine to Chale - Cross the chine which is steep on both sides.  Pass a terrace of cottages on your left.  At Whale Chine, skirt the rim back to Military Road.  Follow the road for a couple of hundred yards before turning right at the sign to walk through a field to the cliff edge.  On passing an old brick wartime building, the path bears inland with a stream on the right which is crossed by means of a plank bridge.  Continue inland on the opposite bank, crossing once again at another plank bridge before passing a football pitch and reaching Military Road once more.  Come onto the road opposite White Mouse Inn, turn right then pass Chale Bay Farm.  Enter the village of Chale on an ascending gradient passing the church on the left.