Sandown to Ventnor Coastal Walk

5.2 miles (8.4 km)

This walk follows a section of the Isle of Wight Coast Path from Sandown to Ventnor. The route starts from Sandown Pier and follows the waymarked trail to Shanklin and Luccombe Village before finishing in Ventnor.
The trail begins along the flat, paved esplanade of Sandown Bay, passing beneath the high sandstone cliffs that stretch towards Shanklin.... This initial section connects the two traditional seaside resorts, offering clear views across the English Channel. Upon reaching Shanklin, the route climbs away from the beachfront and enters the dramatic landscape of the Landslip, a heavily wooded, undulating area formed by historic cliff collapses. The path follows unpaved tracks through this dense canopy, passing near the quiet coastal settlement of Luccombe Village before opening out onto the high downs above Ventnor. The final descent brings walkers into the Victorian resort of Ventnor, built on steep terraces overlooking a sheltered crescent-shaped bay.
The changing geology along this stretch supports a distinct mix of maritime and woodland environments. The sheltered, microclimate of the Landslip features a damp, humid woodland where mature trees are covered in mosses and ferns, providing a habitat for woodland birds and small mammals like the red squirrel. As the path emerges onto the exposed clifftops approaching Ventnor, the vegetation shifts to hardy coastal scrub and chalk grasslands. Here, walkers can observe seabirds, including fulmars and herring gulls, soaring along the thermals generated by the steep rock faces.