The Walk
Walk the Wight is a sponsored walk across the breadth of the Isle of Wight raising money for the Island’s Hospice which cares for over 800 terminally ill patients every year. In 2007 over 5,000 people Walked the Wight raising over £217,000 towards patient care.
It is a lovely walk across some of the Island’s most beautiful hills and countryside, predominantly on footpaths. (If you feel that the hills might be too strenuous, or you are pushing a baby buggy, 2008 sees the introduction of the new ‘FLAT WALK THE WIGHT’)
On the main Walk The Wight you have a choice of three distances –
- Bembridge to Alum Bay (approx 26.5 miles)
- Bembridge to Carisbrooke (approx 12.5 miles)
- Carisbrooke to the Needles at Alum Bay (approx 14 miles)
The route is well marshalled with checkpoints, toilets and water points along the way. Food and coffee is available at Bembridge, Carisbrooke and the Needles Park.
ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED
THE START AT BEMBRIDGE - The full walk or first part only:
- Britten-Norman car park, Bembridge (By Bembridge Airport) ~ Between 6.30 – 8.15 am
ALL WALKERS STARTING FROM BEMBRIDGE ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE PASSED THROUGH CARISBROOKE CHECKPOINT BY 12.30pm
THE FINISH AT THE NEEDLES PARK, ALUM BAY – NO LATER THAN 6pm
WALKERS DOING THE SECOND PART ONLY WILL START FROM CARISBROOKE BETWEEN 9:30am and 12noon.
All walkers must ensure that they are capable of finishing the walk within the specified time.
WALKERS ARRIVING AT THE FRESHWATER BAY CHECKPOINT AFTER 4.30pm ARE STRONGLY ADVISED NOT TO CONTINUE.
The presence of marshals, refreshments, first aid facilities and RETURN BUSES CANNOT BE GUARANTEED after the official finish time.
BUSES & PARKING
FREE BUS TRAVEL COURTESY OF SOUTHERN VECTIS
Any registered walker, showing their Walker Number, can travel on any scheduled Southern Vectis bus free of charge on 18th May, 2007. Specific Walk The Wight Buses will depart for Bembridge:
- From Newport 6.15 am and 7.30 am
- From Ryde Esplanade Bus Station at 7.00 am
- From Cowes at 7.15 am
- From the Heights Sandown at 7.15 am
- From Freshwater at 6.45 am Freshwater Bay 6.50 am Freshwatre Royal Standard, 6.55 am Totland roundabout, 7am Yarmouth, 7.15 Newport
A return Walk the Wight bus service will operate from the Needles Park to Newport Bus Station, via Carisbrooke, on a shuttle basis, starting at approximately 3pm with the LAST ONE LEAVING AT 6.15pm
PLEASE NOTE THE WALK THE WIGHT BUS DOES NOT RETURN TO BEMBRIDGE. YOU HAVE TO MAKE YOUR OWN WAY BACK ON SCHEDULED BUSES.
For walkers starting at Bembridge limited car parking is available at Bembridge courtesy of Britten-Norman and in Newport courtesy of IW Council, (next to Bus Station)
There will be limited free parking available in a field behind Carisbrooke Castle to the left of the Priory this is for walkers doing the second part (weather permitting) .
TRAINING
We would recommend you try walking some sections of the walk before the event. If you are unable to do this try to walk regularly and make sure you include some routes with inclines for practice.
This is a strenous walk over some rough ground, we would not advise that it is suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
ON THE DAY
Please wear proper footwear, walking boots or good trainers, and be prepared for the weather! We have been most fortunate with quite reasonable weather, however we have had one day when it was extremely wet and windy.
REFRESHMENTS
Bottle water will be available courtesy of Southern Water, Lucozade Sport courtesy of GlaxoSmithKline also Mars bars donated by Toolbank. Sandwiches and BBQ will be at Carisbrooke & Bembride supplied by Vectis Sunrise Rotary.The Priory will be open for light refreshments. You are welcome to bring a picnic.
FIRST AID
St. John Ambulance Brigade and other medical personnel will be in attendance.
Massages available at Carisbrooke, by Jolene Smith BSc(Hons)GRS Graduate Sports Rehabilitator and the IOW College Holistic Theraphy Dept at Alum Bay and Physiotherapists Becky Mcgregor will be at Freshwater with ice packs kindly sponsored by Mcgregors barbers of Cowes
DOGS
This year Riverbank Veterinary Hospital will be advising people who have dogs accompanying them on the walk; this will be from both starts and throughout the walk. Please be advised that owners are responsible for their own dog and are reminded to keep them on a lead and under strict control for their own safety and the safety of the other walkers.
Dog owners will be responsible for any vets treatment occurring during this walk.
