Beach Walk on the Isle of Wight

Dogs allowed if you like a challenge! Nice walks and great views from the car park at end of Old Blackgang Road.

Rocken End is set at the southern end of Chale Bay to the south of Blackgang Chine and just around the corner from the Isle of Wight’s most southerly point. This is one of the most remote spots on the island and faces straight into the elements with very little in the way of protection.
As such it can feel pretty wild, but also it is often deserted.

The northern end of the beach here (Blackgang) is an unofficial nudist beach if you like to get an overall tan? It is not easy to access, either it’s a walk/scramble down from the car park at the end of Old Blackgang Road or it’s a long walk in very fine golden shingle from the west along the beach from the nearest access point off the Military Road.

Once you know the path from the car park (Julie can guide you), it’s OK to scramble down but not if wet, as too slipery! Several kind locals have placed planks across streams and carved steps where needed but remember you have to get back up and the climb is a good 500ft and very steep in places.

Care needs to be taken when swimming - the beach shelves deeply and there are currents that sweep around St Catherine’s Point a half mile to the east.

Nearby Blackgang Chine was once upon a time a spectacular ravine but over the years coastal erosion and landslides have taken their toll with little to indicate its former glory.