Cowes & Porchfield Circular
| Route Overview | A fairly gentle ride around the north of the Island, discovering the estuary shore and with an off-road option through Parkhurst Forest. | ||||||
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| Distance - Full | 16 miles / 25.6 km | ||||||
| Typical Time - Full | 3 hours | ||||||
| Start Point | Cowes Town Centre | ||||||
| End Point | as above - circular route | ||||||
| Start point grid reference | SZ498960 | End point grid reference | as above | ||||
| Type of Route: | Circular | ||||||
| Route Features |
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| Accessibility / Facilities |
Begins near bus route Begins near parking Begins near pub Begins near toilets Ends near bus route Ends near parking Ends near pub Ends near toilets Picnic area enroute Pub enroute |
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| Terrain |
Muddy Tracks Public Byways Roads |
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| Route Description | The route starts along the western bank of the Medina Estuary along the traffic free cycleway - a great place for spotting red squirrels. The route then heads west inland in a large loop which extends out to Newtown National Nature Reserve before returning to Cowes along relatively quiet roads and the esplanade along the seafront. There is an alternative,much shorter route through Parkhurst Forest, riding on gravel tracks - again, good squirrel spotting country! | ||||||
| Terrain Details | The offroad, level cycleway running along the estuary is very easy cycling, as is the Esplanade. Cycling on the gravel tracks in Parkhurst Forest is slightly hilly but not too taxing. | ||||||
| Additional Info / Warnings | The centre of Cowes is pedestrianised - you must dismount and walk. The roads around Parkhurst Forest are very busy and there is a busy roundabout near the hospital where you are advised to dismount and walk through the pedestrian underpass. There are no signs in the forest and it is hard to get your bearings with few landmarks so take care. Parkhurst Forest has a waymarked walking route - the "Red Squirrel Safari Trail" and a viewing hide which is worth a visit. | ||||||
| Access Info / Public Transport | The start is near to the RedJet terminal to Southampton - but this service does not take bikes. Bikes are allowed on the car ferry which runs to East Cowes - a 5 minute ride to the other side of the River Medina via the Floating Bridge chain or ferry - free of charge for cyclists. | ||||||
| Services / Amenities | Cowes is a busy town with many shops, cafes & pubs. Porchfield has a pub with a nice beer garden and Gurnard has a pub and cafe on the waterfront. There is a picnic site by the main car park in Parkhurst Forest. | ||||||
| Type of Bike Required | any type - not rough terrain apart from the Parkhurst Forets option - mountain bike or hybrid neede | ||||||
| Nearby Cycle Hire/Repair Shops | See guidebook | ||||||
| Cycle-Friendly Pubs/Refreshments Enroute | Sportsmans Rest in Porchfield has a nice beer garden and is a regular stop for cyclists | ||||||
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| TSE Accommodation Search | |||||||
| More info | A Guide to Cycling Trails on the Isle of Wight | ||||||
