East Cowes Trail - The final instalment of our local walks

In the final instalment of our local walks, we hear from our East Cowes office who let us in on their favourite walk and actually, it also makes for a great family cycle route…

To kick off, head towards the closed end of East Cowes Road where you'll find welcoming bollards. Begin your walk along the pathway adjacent to the main road, leading you to the quaint Mill Lane. Take a right turn and follow the road verge marked as N121, guiding you towards the picturesque Island Harbour.

As the River Medina comes into view, take a left onto the footpath N120. This path leads you towards Seaclose Park. After a boardwalk trail, you'll find yourself on The Medina Greenway, a shared route - this lush, shaded path trails along the riverbank, guiding you along past a striking sculpture feature.

Continue by turning left after the sculpture and follow the left-hand path through an arboretum. Passing by Medina High School and the Medina Theatre, keep following the pathway until you reach Fairlee Road. Take a left onto Fairlee Road, ensuring you cross the main road carefully. As you continue on, you'll soon encounter a wide green strip with a designated cycleway marked as N208. Follow this path until you reach a crossing track, where you'll take a right onto footpath N118.

Pass through a wooden gate at Little Fairlee Farm, and continue your journey. The path ahead leads to a wooded track that transforms into a pretty path leading to a stile. Traverse the stile onto a green strip and, as you continue, you'll encounter yet another stile. This pathway guides you along the left edge of a field, offering countryside views.

At New Fairlee Farm, pass through the farm gates and follow the track surrounded by farm buildings on your right. Cross a stile indicated by a footpath sign and take a left onto N116. Follow the left edge of the field, and before you know it, you'll find yourself on a woodland path descending gently. Crossing a woodland path, you'll have lovely views of the river. As you continue along the trail, take a left under an old railway bridge onto N114 until you reach the main road.

At this point, take a right along the footway and carefully cross the road where you will find you have completed this circular walk and are back on East Cowes Road!