The hostel is surrounded by National Trust land and footpaths galore.
Footpaths go north to Yarmouth, south to Lord Alfred Tennyson's Monument on the Tennyson Trail, east to Freshwater Bay and west to the Needles and Alum Bay. The coastal path is 200m from the hostel. The quiet west of the island is best for walking and rambling, be it on footpaths through woods or fields, along the cliffs or on the beaches. This is a walker's paradise.
If you're planning on staying at YHA Isle of Wight Totland , why not download a free map and get out exploring?
All our self-guided walks start and end at a YHA hostel and are graded so that you can explore the area at your own pace.
Totland and Widdick Chine
Village and coast walk
Easy route (PDF, 0.8MB)
2.6 miles, takes 1h - 1h 45m
The Needles
A coastal walk with breath-taking views over the West Wight Peninsula
Moderate route (PDF, 0.6MB)
5.4 miles, takes 2h 30m - 4h 15m
Yarmouth
A great day walk exploring West Wight
Moderate route (PDF, 1MB)
11.3 miles, takes 5h - 8h 15m
All our walking routes are tried and tested to help you explore this beautiful part of England. To assist with route selection and planning, you’ll also find a description of the hazards and facilities, accessibility information and points of interest on the maps
Want to understand more about our maps or develop your walking skills? Here are some useful guides we have created to help you to prepare for your chosen walk
WiFi
Free parking on premises
Restaurant
The Isle of Wight is heaven for cycling, both on and off road. With tracks over the downs and through Brighstone Wood and Parkhurst Forest, you'll find the perfect trail for you. Buy your "Bicycle...
Totland Bay and Freshwater Bay provide surfing, kayaking, paddleboarding and coasteering. Colwell Bay is great for kite surfing and at Compton Bay you can go surfing. Yarmouth and Cowes are the places...
There are plenty of good cycle routes marked on the island. Cycle around the island in a day or two or even three or four. There are big hills around Ventnor but there are flatter routes that follow...
Great for anyone who enjoys a quiet relaxing time on the beach or wants an easy walk along the promenade to Colwell Bay. Visit the website
This iconic British landmark – The Needles Rocks & Lighthouse are next to Alum Bay with its coloured sands in the cliffs. More details from The Needles website.
You can't go to the Isle of Wight and not see the iconic Needles - a series of chalk stacks which protrude into the sea. At the top of the cliff, on the headland, is the Old Battery and New Battery...
There are various indoor and outdoor climbing walls in close proximity to the Youth Hostel. For something a little different, why not try tree climbing? Companies providing this service operate on the...
One of the best vantage points for watching boats, the park has an aquarium & a reptilarium, history of the Sea museum, model railway, and observatory & planetarium. Visit the Fort's website
3 miles A lovely seaside harbour, great for boat watching and all things nautical, with cafes and restaurants to while away the day. Visit the website
Isle of Wight Pearl is not only home to an unmissable collection of pearl jewellery – but there are spectacular cliff-top views over the English Channel, a butterfly meadow, and a café where you can...
3 miles Good, old-fashioned hands on museum. Activities include 3D dinosaur jigsaws, a fossil sandpit and dinosaur rubbings. Visit the website
A wonderfully preserved castle, known as the place where King Charles I was imprisoned. Don't miss the wonderful Princess Beatrice Garden. There are also regular tournaments and jousts, as well as...
Discover the important role that Buckler’s Hard played in Britain’s shipbuilding history. Relax on a River Cruise, wander through the Woodland Walk and explore the Maritime Museum. Visit the Maritime...
Your ride will take you out into the New Forest Country Park to take in the wonderful views and see wild ponies and other animals that live in the forest. Visit the Brockenhurst Riding Stables website
There's lots to enjoy at Beaulieu including the world famous National Motor Museum, Palace House, World of Top Gear and the James Bond Exhibition.
Blackgang Chine is an eccentric mix of exciting rides, goblins and fairies, dinosaurs and nursery rhyme characters designed to appeal to the child in all of us.