Red Squirrel trail
Trail name	Red Squirrel Trail	Cost:  £249 Per Person
Code	wwfc4
Walking Days	3	BOOK HERE
Nights	4	Graded: Medium plus
Itinerary
Day 1	Travel to Cowes where your first night's accommodation is booked
Day 2	Cowes to Yarmouth                                                                                           16.8 miles
Day 3	Yarmouth to Hulverstone                                                                                  15.0 miles
Day 4	Hulverstone to Cowes                                                                                       14.0 miles
Day 5	Depart after breakfast

 



On the trail of the Islands most famous inhabitant,
the beautiful but elusive Red Squirrel.
This walk takes you along the coastal path
 from Cowes to Yarmouth passing through 
small copses along the way. Then heading inland
over the wooded areas of the Downs
of the West Wight and finally passing
through Parkhurst Forest one of the main
habitats of the Red Squirrel.   

Cowes - Yarmouth
The first day follows part of the coastal path. The trail leads you along cliff tops before descending onto the beach at Thorness bay where you're likely to see wading birds, including oyster catchers, ringed plovers and redshanks. After the 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 and along the edge of Bouldner copse, eventually arriving in the attractive, bustling town of Yarmouth.

Yarmouth - Hulverstone
Passing through the nature reserve of Headon Warren and up to the Needles headland with its spectacular views. The trail continues along the chalk ridge of Tennyson's Down past the Tennyson Monument following chalk cliff tops across Brooke and Mottistone Downs before arriving in Hulverstone with its 500 year old thatched pub. 

Hulverstone – Cowes
Climbing up to Mottistone down and the Long Stone with its Myths & legends. Shortly thereafter entering Brighstone Forest. Following old loggers’ paths through the woods before joining 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 at which time, it extended as far as Cowes (hence the village name of Northwood) where your journey ends.  (how many did you see?)