In light of the recent landslide at Bonchurch and other minor changes, we’ve now launched a new coastal path diversion map for the south east of the Isle of Wight to help our guests navigate around the closed sections whilst still enjoying this scenic coastal route.
We’ve covered the full length of the route from Yaverland in the north to Ventnor in the south, travelling through Lake, Shanklin, Luccombe, Bonchurch and Ventnor. We added on both revetment and cliff paths where available in order to provide greater options.
For the main affected area, the route from Bonchurch to Ventnor, you will need to go up to Ventnor Downs to get around the closure. On the Shanklin/Luccombe side, we’ve put one route up/down via Luccombe Downs. However, on the Ventnor/Bonchurch side, we’ve put two routes up/down to get you to/from Bonchurch, which are as follows:
- Full Ventnor Downs Route (recommended route): With this route, you will see all the fantastic views along the full Ventnor Downs, ascending/descending via the road to the downs at Lowtherville/Upper Ventnor then walking along Old Shute, Ocean View Road and St Boniface Road to/from Bonchurch. This route is longer but a lot less steep (10% / 1 in 10 gradient) when going to/from the downs to the main road and has a less muddy surface with much of the route along the tarmac road.
- Bonchurch Downs Only Route: With this route, you will avoid a longer diversion, going up/down the downs at the nearest alternative footpath, resulting in a shorter walk. However, it is an extremely steep route (30% / 3 in 10 gradient) when going to/from the downs to the main road and is all on grass or muddy paths, so we feel it is best suited to more experienced walkers.
Please note that the fields in Luccombe and the downs are grazed by cows, as well as old English feral goats on the Bonchurch Downs only route to/from the downs, so do follow the advice from National Trail when around livestock.
We’ll keep updating the map and this page as and when changes are made throughout the year.