St Catherine's Down

St Catherine's Down rises behind these cliffs and forms a whale-back hill with amazing views right across the Isle of Wight. Below this is the beautiful Wydcombe valley with its network of paths and ancient tree lined track ways. One of my favourite walks on the Isle of Wight, St Catherine's Down combines rolling countryside with some of the best coastal views in the south of the Island. My preferred route starts from the National Trust car park, following the path down towards St Catherine's Lighthouse before looping back.

It's a beautiful walk, but one where you'll want to keep dogs close. Parts of the route run along the edge of the cliffs, while the fields around the lighthouse can often have cows grazing in them, so be prepared to pop your dog on a lead when needed.