A 2.5 mile circular walk from Niton village, taking in Niton Undercliff and the astonishing geology along the Cripple Path.
The cliff face is dramatic, but this walk is not for the feint hearted. Not because it's dangerous, but because the path is cut into the rock face, and the cliff overhangs the path. It is quite challenging due to the steep paths, steps and uneven ground.
However, saying that, you certainly don't need specialist equipment. It's a walk, not a climb, so is suitable for any able-bodied person wearing sensible footwear. It is best avoided during or shortly after very wet weather.
Perhaps not advisable to take children, unless they heed your warnings not to venture off, as there are some very steep drops.
LENGTH: approx 2.5 miles.
ASCENT: 321ft
DESCENT: 311 ft
This walk is best started in Niton which is perfect for some food and liquid refreshment when you return. Niton does not have a public carpark, but there is plenty of on-street parking.
If you wish to make a shorter walk, to just visit the dramatic cliff-face, then park in Undercliff Drive (the Niton side of the landslip) and take footpath NT117. Follow the stages of the walk below, by car, and park somewhere between stage 5 and 6.
What does Cripple mean?
According to an Isle of Wight Council document, "The name was first recorded in 1608 and comes from an Old English word for a narrow passage".
The Cripple Path is how people got from Niton to the Undercliff before the road was built, including King Charles II who, in 1675, was forced to anchor off the Island because of bad weather on the way to France, and he came ashore at Puckaster Cove and walked up this path to have dinner with Rev. Thomas Collinson at Niton rectory and stayed there for two days till the weather improved.
The Walk
1) Starting from the centre of Niton, walk south along InstItute Hill and on into Barrack Shute towards Niton Undercliff. Although this part of the walk is along a road, it's not hugely busy and there is pavement all the way, plus pretty houses and a church to admire on route.
2) At the end of Barrack Shute, the road bends round to the left into Undercliff Drive (near Niton Undercliff Garage). Now you will begin to get some fine glimpses of the sea.
3) Keep heading east, and ignore the signs to the Buddle Inn at St Catherine's Road, unless of course you wish to stop for refreshment.
4) From this point onwards there is no pavement, but it is now a dead-end road due to 2014's landslip. Only a handful of cars drive down here, making it beautifully quiet. It has been designated a leisure cycle route, so watch out for cyclists. Undercliff Drive is stunning in the Autumn when the leaves turn, and equally on a hot Summer's day when you will welcome the shade of the trees. Although in Winter and Spring you will get better views of the sea through the deciduous trees.
5) Keep going along Undercliff Drive, passing Stonelands Nursery on your left, two junctions for two dead-end roads to your right, a lovely stone cottage also to your right and a entrance gate further along on your left.
6) Eventually you will reach a low old stone wall running along the right side of the road, and in a very short distance there will be a sign on your left pointing to the Cripple Path. Take this path into the woods.
7) At first it's an obvious path through ferns, with dramatic views ahead of the towering cliff face. It becomes steep and uneven, with random lumps of stone lodged into the path. Some of the particularly steep parts have a handrail and few steps too. Do take time to admire the view around you, particularly if it's Spring or Winter when you can spot the sea through the trees.
8) As you continue up the path flanked by the handrail, you will reach the sandstone cliff face. The path meets a t-junction where there is a wooden bench to rest upon. Sit a while and admire the view of the sea and the geology towering over you, which are both stunning. It's quite an elevated position.
9) Continue eastwards, past the bench, and up some stone steps. Be careful as these are numerous, steep and there is no handrail for the initial section.
10) The stepped path then goes up through the rock (with a handrail for a short part), and will eventually open out onto a field. The landscape is completely different up here, feeling quite flat and vast, with large fields ahead of you, and a huge drop and magnificent view of the sea below.
11) Turn left onto the footpath (NT28), with the field to your right, and hedge to the hedge. In a short distance you will meet a junction where you will take footpath NT27 northeastwards towards Niton Village.
12) Further along the path splits again - NT25 to the left and NT19 to the right. Take NT25 if you wish to now wish to return to the centre of the village. Or take NT19 if you wish to continue on the walk and see some of Niton's pretty cottages and some more far reaching views.
13) Footpath NT19 will end where it meets the road. Turn left into Town End past some modern houses, then left into Rectory Road. At the thatched cottage on your right, turn into Lacey's Lane. This is a narrow lane flanked by some pretty cottages but opens out as it climbs. Although the houses become more modern, you will enjoy lovely views of the surrounding countryside.
14) Stay on Stacey's Lane, and you will reach Newport Road. Turn left here to return to the village.
15) Once at the village you can pick up some comestibles at Norris Family Grocers, enjoy coffee and cake or a light bite at MJ's Cafe, or have a hearty meal at The White Lion.
