Shepherds Trail
| Route Overview | The trail starts beneath historic Carisbrooke Castle and you walk up and down the chalky hills of the Isle of Wight to the coast with great views over the surrounding countryside. | ||||||
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| Distance - Full | 7 miles / 11.2 km | ||||||
| Typical Time - Full | 3 hours | ||||||
| Start Point | Whitcombe Cross, nr Carisbrooke | ||||||
| End Point | Shepherds Chine, Atherfield | ||||||
| Start point grid reference | SZ487875 | End point grid reference | SZ447798 | ||||
| Type of Route: | Linear | Level of walk: | Moderate | ||||
| Route Features |
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| Accessibility / Facilities |
Ends near bus route Pub enroute Suitable for Dogs |
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| Terrain | PROW (Public Right Of Way) | ||||||
| Route Description | This is one of 8 waymarked "Inland Trails" on the Isle of Wight. The trail starts just south of Carisbrooke Castle, the Island's most impressive medieval building. During the Civil War, King Charles I was imprisoned here for a year before being returned to the mainland to be tried and executed in 1649. You can still visit the rooms where the King was held, walk along the walls and take in the breathtaking views from the keep as the castle is now in the care of English Heritage. The trail descends into Gatcombe, a tiny settlement with a 13th century church and skirts around hills and climbs up and over them on its way to the sea. You eventually come out into the flat, windswept, arable land of the "Back of the Wight" and, after crossng the Military Road, you can follow the path down Shepherds Chine to where the trail meets the Coastal Path and the sea. | ||||||
| Terrain Details | Several short climbs early on before the trail follows the contours and becomes fairly level. | ||||||
| Access Info / Public Transport | The start point is a half mile climb out of Carisbrooke, where the nearest bus stop is. The end point is near to the Military Road, which is on a bus route. Contact Southern Vectis Buses on 01983 532373 for information. | ||||||
| Services / Amenities | Carisbrooke has a pub and a convenience store. Little Gatcombe Farm tea rooms is on the trail. | ||||||
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| TSE Accommodation Search | |||||||
| More info | The Coastal Path & Inland Trails on the Isle of Wight | ||||||
