Routes :
THERE IS PARKING AT BOTH ENDS OF THE RIVER BUT THIS DESCRIPTION STARTS
IN NEWPORT AT THE CAR PARK BY THE QUAY ARTS CENTRE, FOUND AT THE BOTTOM
OF QUAY STREET. FROM THE COWES END THIS ROUTE IS WITHIN EASY WALKING
DISTANCE OF BOTH THE PASSENGER FERRY FROM SOUTHAMPTON IN WEST COWES
AND THE CAR FERRY LOCATED IN EAST COWES.
Full
Loop (approx. 9 miles)
Start off at the same point as outlined in the shoot loop although once you
get to the fork in the path take the left and head up along the cycle path
that lead all the way to Cowes alongside the river. At the end of the path
follow the road up to the Cowes floating bridge and get onboard for the short
crossing to East Cowes (foot passengers go free). Once in East Cowes take
a right and head along Beatrice Avenue. Turn right onto footpath CS24 from
Whippingham church to the Folly Inn (1/2 mile), The distance from the Folly
to Newport is 3 ½ miles. The path is unmade and quite overgrown to
begin with. There are several more stiles and it is often muddy as you go
along. The path goes right along the rivers edge – this particular
area is good for spotting Cormorants and Swans. Head into Island Harbour
and walk over the lock, which is very narrow. Rejoin the path going right
by the old steamboat the “Ryde Queen”. Carry along through slightly
wooded area, coming out at the bottom of the fields at Medina Leisure Centre
and Sea Close Park. Follow the path along the quayside back into Newport.
Short
Loop (approx. 3 miles)
Walk through the old quayside, now an industrial estate, to the Public footpath
N29, which starts on the opposite side of river from the Medina Quay Travel
Inn and is accessible from the car park at the beginning of the cycle path.
Follow the footpath until it forks, here take the right and head down to
the rivers edge where you can walk along the river and watch the wading birds
going about their business. Following the footpath you will come to the Medina
Valley Centre, here follow the footpath signs along the side of the building
until you reach back to the Riverside Industrial park. |