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.