Reverse Island Part 4 - round the island - Colwell Common to Compton Bay - 10.15am start

We are walking the Coastal Path round the island in sections  - anticlockwise this time.

This is the fourth of our coastal path stages. It is a linear walk.

It has taken me a while to get my head round the logistics of these West Wight sections, given the limited bus times (esp on Sundays).  I have been aiming to divide the round the island route into sections of approx average 10 miles, however that doesn’t always fit neatly with transport logistics.  I have done the best I can, but some sections will of necessity be a bit longer/harder than others.  It is obviously up to you if you choose to “exit” the section earlier and arrange your transport accordingly (just please let me know before you disappear!)

This is a stunning section to walk, with fabulous views throughout  – but hilly! However hopefully the timings stated will allow for us to enjoy it at a leisurely pace and enjoy the views, with appropriate stops en route, and still enjoy a decent walk. The timing may also allow for a swim at Compton Bay at the end if anyone wishes.

We will start from Colwell Common at 10.15am.  For those wishing to travel by bus (for more on which, see under travel below), this tallies with timing of the 9.15am No 7 bus from Newport bus station which arrives at Compton Common at 10.07pm  

We take the coast path from the Common down to the beach at Colwell, through to Totland Bay, then up from Headon Warren and down into Alum Bay (stop/loos). We then head along towards the Needles, and up over Tennyson Down to the monument, and down the other side into Freshwater Bay (stop/loos). From there, up onto the diverted coastal path at Freshwater golf club, and down part of the Freshwater Way to Compton Bay where we end the walk and get the No 12 bus back from Compton Bay at 4.13pm (arrives at the Avenue 4.31pm which is just a short walk back from the startpoint at Colwell Common)

Please note that  for anyone after a slightly shorter walk, there is an easy partway “escape” point (at approx 6.5 miles) at Freshwater Bay, where there are cafes and toilets. Whilst this is accessible by bus back to Colwell, given the very limited Sunday bus timetable, if you are planning to do this curtailed walk you might prefer to consider a carshare/shuffle arrangement, leaving a car at Freshwater Bay (there is free onstreet parking at Afton Road, or at Freshwater Cliffs carpark just up the hill,  or a pay public carpark down in the bay) as we can’t guarantee walk timings will necessarily tally with limited bus timings. (Or if you do have a wait – enjoy the bay, go for a drink, or a swim ?...)

Anyway, allowing for the fact of a relaxed pace and scenic stops, please treat the full Colwell-Compton section as a full day’s walking, with a lunch stop. Be aware that whilst we will not be doing it at any great pace and it is not hardcore , this section is moderately challenging in places  in terms of steepness and uneven paths.

This section is well provided for with food/drink/ice-cream outlets at the start and at Alum and Freshwater Bays. Also hopefully the National Trust kiosk will be open at Compton Bay at the end of the walk. We should have time en route for drinks/ice-creams if wished, but not for three-course lunches so please bring a packed lunch!

Plenty of toilets too: at Colwell Bay (pay); Totland (free) ; Alum Bay (free); Freshwater Bay (free) and Compton Bay (free).

TRAVEL

This section of the Reverse Island walk is quite tricky re travel logistics – you will need to investigate what suits you best for your personal geography / prefs.  As far as I can work it out , these are the main options:

    (a) 2 cars:

I try and promote using the bus, but the timetable is limited so if relying on buses one does have to be flexible and there may be some waiting round ! If you want more certainty/prompt getaway at the end of the walk, or are looking to exit partway for a shorter walk, then you may wish to consider a carshare/shuffle (any offers / requests can be posted on the Whatsapp group, if you are on that.

If you wish to do this, then park the first car at Compton Bay (National Trust pay car park – or free to NT members) – or if you are planning to finish early at Freshwater Bay , then in one of the options there – and drive the second car back to park at the start at Colwell (free on-street parking at Colwell Common, or a (pay) car park on the road down to the beach ) in time to meet at Colwell Common for our 10.15am start  

However it is do-able by 1 car or no cars…

    (b) 1 car:

(If you have a car this may be the most attractive option to avoid having to change buses on the return journey to get back to Newport if that's where you’re headed)

NB : This is what I am planning to do!

Park at Colwell Common (as above)

At the end of the walk get the No 12 bus at 4.13pm from Compton Bay back to your car in Colwell (nearly – I think you get off at The Avenue stop (4.31pm) and it’s just a short walk to Colwell Common).

     (c ) By bus – from Newport:

Get the first No 7 bus of the day from Newport bus station at 9.15am, which arrives at Colwell Common at 10.07am. Our 10.15am walk start time has been designed to tally with this

At the end of the walk get the No 12 bus at 4.13pm from Compton Bay at the end of the walk back to your car in Colwell (nearly) as above. There are then No 7 buses back from Colwell Common half hourly at 02 and 32 mins mins past the hour

NB : The Island Bus summer timetable for the date of this walk  has not yet been published (I am told they only release the post-25 May timetable ON the 25 May to stop people prematurely using the wrong timetable), so the timings above are based on the winter timetable. However these will be checked nearer the time and updated here if they have changed for summer, so please do check back before the walk!

Car share
In the interests of the air, parking, and non-drivers, if anyone is able to offer, or needs, a car share in respect of all or part of the travel for this walk, then please post on WhatsApp group (to join group please message Serena 07564-811690)

DATES FOR THE FUTURE SECTIONS OF THE REVERSE ISLAND WALK :

         ~ Sun 27 July

         ~ Sun 17 Aug

         ~ Sun 7 Sept

       *** ~ Sun 28 Sept

***Unsure atm whether or not we will need this date or not to complete the circumnavigation. If not, then I will aim to use this date for another walk or extravaganza

NB : If today's walk has to be postponed for any reason, weather or otherwise, it will simply take place on the date listed for the next section, and so forth. So basically all the sections will just fall back a date, no "fresh" dates creeping in for any postponements, any change will just default to the next date.  Hopefully this may make it easier for the diaries of walkers - and leader !