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THE NEEDLES - MERRELL'S 7 WONDERS OF THE UK
Running Route
Hard
21.69 km
503 m
The Needles, at the South Westernmost point of the Isle of Wight, are a row of three chalk stacks that rise up from the often turbulent English Channel. The lighthouse that sits at the furthest point has been a beacon of hope to sailors since the 19th Century, the bright white chalk cliffs that sit behind rise ominously and make this the most visited point on the IOW.
This gentle yet challenging trail takes in not only the Needles but some fine woodland park as you leave the charming Yarmouth Harbour, heading South and beyond the colourful beach huts of Colwell Bay. Climbing gently toward Headon Warren, the majesty of the chalk stacks reveals itself ahead of you, with mainland UK to your right. Passing swiftly by the bizarre tourist attraction (lest you choose to descend the steep stairs for a close up view of Alum Bay’s remarkable coloured and rapidly collapsing cliffs) the trail leads out toward the Needles and some remarkable viewpoints directly atop the chalk faces and Icelandic-like black beaches far below.
Once you have pulled yourself away the trail heads East toward Freshwater Bay, rolling along the Tennyson Trail where you can pick up the pace should you choose before heading North along the bank of the Western Yar, returning to Yarmouth ideally in time to make the ferry back toward Lymington.
This gentle yet challenging trail takes in not only the Needles but some fine woodland park as you leave the charming Yarmouth Harbour, heading South and beyond the colourful beach huts of Colwell Bay. Climbing gently toward Headon Warren, the majesty of the chalk stacks reveals itself ahead of you, with mainland UK to your right. Passing swiftly by the bizarre tourist attraction (lest you choose to descend the steep stairs for a close up view of Alum Bay’s remarkable coloured and rapidly collapsing cliffs) the trail leads out toward the Needles and some remarkable viewpoints directly atop the chalk faces and Icelandic-like black beaches far below.
Once you have pulled yourself away the trail heads East toward Freshwater Bay, rolling along the Tennyson Trail where you can pick up the pace should you choose before heading North along the bank of the Western Yar, returning to Yarmouth ideally in time to make the ferry back toward Lymington.
Created By
Seana Forbes
Route and Elevation
Segments
| Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yar Bridge Dash | 0.52 km | 7 m | 1.1% |
| Reverse Seawall Shuffle | 0.29 km | 9 m | 3.2% |
| slipway to slipway dash | 0.51 km | -13 m | -0.1% |
| Colwell to Totland Lifeboat House | 1.51 km | -165 m | -0.3% |
| Seawall Southbound 🌊 | 0.86 km | 15 m | 0.1% |
| Totland Esplanade Dash | 0.49 km | 2 m | 0.1% |
| Death Steps | 0.11 km | 26 m | 23.6% |
| Cliff Road the hill | 0.37 km | 30 m | 8.0% |
| Alum Bay rd to Battery | 1.04 km | 22 m | 1.7% |
| Nice Hill to Coastguard Cottages | 0.32 km | 51 m | 12.8% |
| Alum Bay New Road Climb | 0.74 km | 46 m | 5.9% |
| B3322 Climb | 0.33 km | 44 m | 12.6% |
| Highdown Ln Climb | 0.38 km | 56 m | 14.7% |
| Moons Hill Climb | 0.30 km | 68 m | 22.7% |
| AftonMarsh 'Muddy side' North | 0.59 km | 1 m | 0.0% |
| Railway Track - First bit | 0.51 km | -1 m | 0.0% |
| Causeway to The Mill | 2.32 km | -8 m | -0.1% |
| 1km from Causeway Bridge | 1.01 km | 8 m | 0.1% |
| Dinghy Pen Dawdle | 0.51 km | -2 m | -0.2% |