Solent Way

Street guide, Solent News

The Solent Way is a long-distance walking trail stretching approximately sixty miles along the Hampshire coast from Milford on Sea in the west to Emsworth in the east. It follows the shoreline, estuaries, and coastal paths of the Solent, passing through some of the most varied and historically rich landscapes in southern England. The trail is waymarked and can be walked in stages over several days or tackled in shorter sections. Within the Solent area, the trail passes through Lee-on-the-Solent along the seafront, around the shores of Portsmouth Harbour via Gosport and Portchester, and along the creeks and harbours of the eastern coast. It connects many of the area's key landmarks, including Portchester Castle, the Gosport waterfront, Titchfield Haven, and the Hamble estuary. The walking is mostly flat and accessible, though some sections along harbour shores can be muddy at high tide. The Solent Way offers a perspective on the area that roads cannot provide. Walking the coastal sections reveals the interplay between the built environment, the harbours, and the open water. Birdlife is abundant, particularly around the harbours and estuaries, and the views across to the Isle of Wight are a constant companion. The trail is well used by local walkers and attracts visitors from further afield who come to walk it in its entirety.