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Bembridge Trail

11.8 miles (19 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This trail runs from Newport to Bembridge via the lovely village of Brading. Highlights include splendid views of Arreton and Brading Downs and a pleasant stretch along the River Yar.
There's also the historic Bembridge Fort and the photogenic Bembridge Windmill to see on the way.
The trail finishes at the attractive Bembridge Harbour.
To continue your walking you could pick up the Isle of Wight Coast Path in Bembridge and head north to Ryde. See the Ryde to Bembridge Coastal Walk for more details.

Bembridge Trail OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Bembridge Trail Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

On the north western outskirts of Newport you'll find the expansive Parkhurst Forest. The forest is criss crossed with miles of good walking and cycling trails and a fine place to extend your outing. It's also great for wildlife spotting with the resident red squirrels of particular note.
In August you can try the popular St Helens Fort Walk in the neighbouring village which lies just to the north. The walk takes you out to the 19th century St Helens Fort along the causeway at low tide.
Just west of Ryde there's another historic highlight at Quarr Abbey. The Grade I listed abbey monastery dates back to the 12th century and includes a scenic estate with lovely gardens, wildflower meadows and woodland with red squirrels to look out for. Very near the abbey there's also some peaceful woodland trails at Firestone Copse and the splendid Isle of Wight Heritage Steam Railway centre at Havenstreet.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Isle of Wight Walks page.

Photos

View from Bembridge Trail - geograph.org.uk - 1453660

View from Bembridge Trail. Having climbed the steep hill out of Shide, this stunning view awaits you

Bembridge Trail, St George's Down - geograph.org.uk - 1416169

On the trail at St George's Down. In the distance is Chillerton Down, with its radio mast just visible.

Bembridge Windmill - geograph.org.uk - 484585

 Bembridge Windmill. From the footpath to the west near Mill Farm. This path is part of the Bembridge and River Yar Trail.

Bembridge Trail on St. George's Down - geograph.org.uk - 485501

Trail on St. George's Down. The trail looks attractive and manages to avoid the worst of the quarrying as it is squeezed between a haul road and various worked out pits, now settling lagoons. This is looking east, the path having come up from Newport.

High Street, Brading - geograph.org.uk - 1581622

High Street, Brading

Newport - Isle of Wight - geograph.org.uk - 20623

Newport

The beach at Bembridge - geograph.org.uk - 1114919

The beach at Bembridge

Bembridge Fort - geograph.org.uk - 72145

Bembridge Fort. Built 1862-1867 against a possible invasion of Napoleon's forces. It had 3 officers and 100 men. It had 2 4" breech loading and 6 muzzle loading guns.

Elevation Profile

GPS Files

GPX File

Bembridge Trail.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Bembridge Trail.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)