Live service status

Timetables

  1. The best IOW cycle routes
  2. Traffic-free cycle routes on the Isle of Wight
  3. Tim Wiggins - IOW cycling expert
  4. Getting there
  5. Hiring a bicycle

Isle of Wight

cycling

  1. Home
  2. Things to do on the Isle of Wight

  3. Isle of Wight cycle routes

Cycle routes on the Isle of Wight

Hopping onto two wheels is a brilliant way to add a little adventure to your Isle of Wight getaway.

With routes varying in length and terrain, cycling offers a fun, healthy and sustainable way to discover more of the Island. From relaxed family rides to challenging countryside trails, it’s easy to make cycling part of your UK holiday, whatever your experience level.

Getting here with your bike is easy, too. Our FastCat from Portsmouth Harbour takes just 22 minutes, and bikes travel free with Wightlink when you travel as a foot passenger.

On this page

The best IOW cycle routesTraffic-free cycle routes on the Isle of WightTim Wiggins - IOW cycling expertGetting thereHiring a bicycle

The best IOW cycle routes

The Isle of Wight is tailor-made for great cycling, with over 200 miles of cycle routes through some of the most scenic countryside in the UK.

Cycle tracks across the Island cater for all abilities, with everything from short, road-based trails through to tough, hilly terrain on longer tracks.

A popular journey choice for experienced cyclists is to loop the entirety of the IOW. The full round the Island cycle route is about 65 miles long and cycling around the Isle of Wight would take a good cyclist around six hours, but of course your pace could be very different.

See some of our favourite routes below or explore the full range of Island cycle paths on our Explorer interactive map.

Explore IOW cycle routes
Three of our favourite bicycle routes

Sandown circular

A straightforward coastal route that is great for a short, family cycle ride.

  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Distance: 6.89 miles
  • Duration: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Sandown

Freshwater and Yarmouth circular

A beautifully scenic route that takes in some of the best views across West Wight.

  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Distance: 9.38 miles
  • Duration: 45 minutes – 1 hour 30 minutes
Freshwater and Yarmouth

Wroxall to Freshwater Bay

A challenging ride with some fast road riding and steep ascents.

  • Difficulty: Challenging
  • Distance: 19.4 miles
  • Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes – 2 hours 30 minutes
Wroxall to Freshwater Bay
Traffic-free cycle routes on the Isle of Wight

Although the Island’s roads make for a fantastic place to cycle, you may want to avoid the hustle and bustle of traffic around you and those you’re cycling with.

Fortunately, there are an abundance of traffic-free cycle paths that you can tackle without having to miss out on some of the Isle of Wight’s stunning scenery and sights.

The Island has made particularly good use of disused railway lines, converting many stretches of track into dedicated cycleways that mean you rarely have to touch the roads. Some of our favourite routes with extended traffic-free sections include:

  • Newport to Merstone: This ride goes along a former railway line that’s now a dedicated cycleway.
  • Shanklin to Wroxall: This route, starting in the stunning seaside town of Shanklin, also makes use of a disused train track.
  • Cowes to Newport: You can travel from the northern tip of the Island, Cowes, down to its capital, Newport, along cycle paths that run adjacent to the River Medina.
Isle of Wight cycle path map

Plan your cycling getaway itinerary with our interactive Explorer map, perfect for picking out tracks and trails of all lengths and difficulty.

Explore all IOW cycle routes

Tim Wiggins - IOW cycling expert

What Tim Wiggins doesn’t know about cycling on the Isle of Wight isn’t worth knowing. We’ve been working with the endurance cyclist and Island resident to shed some light on the IOW’s biking scene – he’s written blogs on everything from the most challenging routes to take right through to the best places to stop for a bite to eat.

Challenging Isle of Wight rides

The Island has a unique geology and it can make for some cliff-like climbs and challenging terrain. Tim has ridden them all and has picked out his favourites for any expert cyclist to tackle.

Find some challenging IOW rides

Top IOW cycling cafés

Cycling, coffee and cake; they’re a magical trio. The great thing about riding on the Isle of Wight is that there is plenty of opportunity to indulge in all three.

See the best cycling cafes

Five things to take on your Island bike ride

No matter your cycling ability and regardless of which route you plan on taking, it’s always best to be prepared. With thousands of cycles behind him, Tim has rounded up five of the most important things for you to take on an IOW cycle ride.

See the five things to take on your Island cycle

Getting there

We can get you from the mainland to the Isle of Wight from just 22 minutes, sailing from one of three convenient ports in Hampshire.

If you choose to travel on our Portsmouth Harbour – Ryde Pier Head FastCat route, not only will you get there quickly, you can also make the most of our dedicated on board bicycle area to keep your equipment safe at sea.

Book your ferry

Hiring a bicycle

You don’t need to bring a bike with you to enjoy the wonders of the Bicycle Island. The Isle of Wight is dotted with bicycle and e-bike hire outlets, so you can rent out the equipment you need, only when you need it.

If you plan on touring West Wight or the centre of the Island, we highly recommend Wight Cycle Hire. Their two convenient locations can be found in Yarmouth – not far from our car ferry port – and Newport, the Island’s main town. With a huge selection of bikes and a passionate, knowledgeable team, they’re the go-to for your cycle hire needs.

Exploring the south east? Routefifty7 can be found in Shanklin, right at the heart of many of the Island’s best cycling routes. They have a wide-range of bicycles and e-bikes to choose from and a nifty app to make collecting your bicycle even easier.