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WWRST4

Red Squirrel Trail

Cowes - Yarmouth

After breakfast you will leave Cowes and follow part of the Isle of Wight Coastal path. The trail leads you along cliff tops before descending onto the beach at Thorness bay where you're likely to see a variety of wading birds. After passing Thorness Holiday Village you veer away from the coast and inland through the Newton National Nature Reserve with further bird watching opportunities on offer. Shortly thereafter, the trail makes its way back towards the coast passing through Hampstead an area of small farming hamlets set among ancient woodlands. There is a small population of red squirrels in this area that can often be seen. Further along you will walk along the edge of Bouldner copse, eventually arriving in the attractive, bustling town of Yarmouth.

Yarmouth - Hulverstone

This section of the trail passes through the nature reserve of Headon Warren and up to the Needles headland with its spectacular views. It continues along the chalk ridge of Tennyson's Down passed the Tennyson Monument following chalk cliff tops then descending into Freshwater Bay. Leaving the bay you will climb up and then pass Freshwater golf club before rejoining the Tennyson trail. The trail then takes you over Brooke and Mottis-tone Downs where many burial mounds and barrows can be seen. You will the descend from the Downs finally arriving in the tiny village of Hulverstone with its 500 year old thatched pub.

Hulverstone – Cowes

On day three, you’ll climb up to Mottistone Down and the ancient Long Stone with its many Myths & legends. Shortly thereafter you enter Brighstone Forest. Following old loggers’ paths through the woods before join-ing the Tennyson trail. Turning down hill, through Monkham woods and onto Parkhurst forest one of the strong holds of the Red Squirrel. Parkhurst Forest was mentioned in the Domesday records as a royal hunting forest which at that time, extended as far as Cowes (hence the village name of Northwood) where your journey ends.